Rethinking sport spaces in the Anthropocene: from natural to artificial settings

This conceptual paper examines how sport has progressively shifted from natural outdoor settings toward increasingly artificial and controlled environments, and proposes a “Natural to Artificial Spectrum” to better understand sport’s evolving relationship with the environment. Climate change, environmental degradation, and resource use are increasingly affecting sport participation, facilities, and events worldwide. The paper is linking processes of artificialisation and indoorisation with sport ecology and the Anthropocene, highlighting how different sport spaces shape environmental impacts, climate vulnerability, participation experiences, and relationships with nature.

Using McInnis’ method of conceptual delineation, the authors develop the “Natural to Artificial Spectrum” as a theoretical framework for positioning sports according to their degree of artificiality and environmental control. The paper draws on interdisciplinary literature from sport ecology, geography, sociology, environmental studies, and sport management to construct and discuss the framework. The authors argue that as sports move toward more artificial and indoor environments, they generally reduce exposure to climate hazards while increasing environmental footprints and weakening participants’ connection to nature. The proposed spectrum demonstrates that the degree of artificiality in sport spaces has implications for participant health and wellbeing, environmental attitudes, climate vulnerability, participation costs, facility management, and sustainability outcomes.

Sport managers, researchers, and policymakers should carefully consider the environmental and social consequences of continued sport artificialisation and growth. The framework can help organisations assess climate risks, environmental impacts, and development choices while encouraging more sustainable and ecologically conscious approaches to sport infrastructure and participation

CITE: Orr, M., Ross, W. J., & Pelcher, J. (2025). Natural to artificial: a spectrum of sport spaces fit for the Anthropocene. Sport in Society, 28(10), 1451–1469. DOI: 10.1080/17430437.2024.2438008

#Anthropocene #Artificialisation #IndoorSports #OutdoorSports #ClimateVulnerability