Combining Passion and Research: Exploring NFL Sustainability Practices Across Domestic and International Event Contexts

 

By: Noel Criscione-Naylor, Professor of Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management, Stockton University  

Senior Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management majors Laura Leeds and Sarah Goodrich joined forces with Program Chair Dr. Noel Criscione-Naylor to take on an ambitious challenge— transforming their shared passion for events, professional football and sustainability into a meaningful undergraduate research project. What began as an exploratory process, ultimately resulted in a compelling study that bridges academic inquiry and industry practice, earning acceptance for presentation at the ICHRIE Eta Sigma Delta Undergraduate Research Symposium to be held at Boston University in February 2026. Through a series of collaborative meetings, a clear research focus emerged: A Comparative Narrative Review of NFL Sustainability Practices in Domestic and International Event Contexts. This project reflects the students’ interest in understanding how sustainability is implemented at large-scale sporting events and how these practices vary across different geographic and regulatory environments.

Sustainability and the NFL

Sustainability has become a priority within the National Football League (NFL), driven by growing awareness of the environmental, social, and economic impacts associated with professional sporting events. NFL games generate significant waste and consume substantial energy resources. Hall (2025) reported that an average NFL game produces between 30 and 40 tons of solid waste, a figure that nearly doubles for the Super Bowl. Similarly, Power Integrations (2024) noted that a 70,000-seat stadium may consume between 10,000 and 20,000 kWh of electricity on game day alone, far exceeding the monthly energy usage of a typical household. In response, the NFL has developed a range of environmental and socially responsible initiatives across its U.S. stadium operations, focusing on waste management, energy efficiency, food recovery, and community engagement. As the league continues to expand internationally, however, it faces new challenges shaped by varying sustainability regulations, governance structures, and cultural expectations in host countries. Previous research highlights persistent gaps in football governance related to environmental sustainability. Daddi et al. (2022) found that sustainability concerns remain largely overlooked across geographic contexts, while Todaro et al. (2023) identified sponsors, suppliers, fans, and local communities as critical stakeholders influencing sustainability adoption. Although existing studies offer insight into individual settings, comparative analyses across domestic and international contexts remain limited, particularly within the NFL.

Sustainability Practices in NFL Stadium Operations

Sustainability has been embedded in NFL operations since the introduction of a pilot recycling program in 1994. Over time, the league has expanded its sustainability portfolio to include green energy, recycling, food recovery, and event forestry programs. NFL Green, the league’s environmental initiative, focuses on material recovery, community greening, food donations, e-waste management, and renewable energy. Food recovery represents one of the most impactful initiatives. Through partnerships with local food banks and event managers, the NFL ensures that prepared but unserved food is donated rather than discarded. Super Bowl events alone can generate up to 140,000 pounds of donatable food and beverages, providing meaningful benefits to local communities. Community greening initiatives further extend the NFL’s sustainability impact. These projects include tree planting, community gardens, habitat restoration, and the development of green spaces. Such efforts not only improve environmental outcomes but also strengthen relationships between the league and host communities.

Team-Level Sustainability Leadership

In addition to league-wide initiatives, individual teams and stadiums have implemented innovative sustainability practices. Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia is widely recognized as the most sustainable NFL stadium, with initiatives focused on water conservation, waste reduction, and renewable energy. Since 2015, the Philadelphia Eagles have eliminated over 1 million plastic water bottles through the installation of water filtration stations, while water-saving fixtures have reduced thousands of gallons of water use per event. Other stadiums demonstrate similar commitments. SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles captures and reuses rainwater for irrigation, saving more than 11 million gallons annually. Ford Field in Detroit incorporates recycled materials in its playing surface and stadium infrastructure. Currently, six NFL stadiums hold LEED certifications ranging from Silver to Platinum, reflecting growing momentum toward sustainable facility management. LEED certification remains a globally recognized benchmark for sustainable building practices. Lincoln Financial Field achieved Platinum status in 2024, while Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta became the first professional sports stadium to earn LEED Platinum in 2017. Several additional NFL stadiums have achieved LEED Silver or Gold certifications, signaling steady progress across the league. The NFL’s partnership with the Green Sports Alliance, established in 2019, further supports sustainability advancement. Notably, several teams and stadiums were alliance members prior to league-wide participation. Despite these efforts, sustainability implementation remains inconsistent across stadiums due to differences in infrastructure age, ownership models, transportation access, and the absence of league-mandated sustainability standards.

Expansion of the NFL Internationally

International expansion represents a strategic growth opportunity for the NFL. The NFL International Series began in 2007 with a game in London and has since expanded to Mexico City, Germany, Brazil, Ireland, and Spain. The 2025 season will feature seven international games across five countries, marking the most extensive global schedule to date and contributing to significant increases in international viewership. International sporting events often operate within stricter sustainability frameworks than those in the United States. Global initiatives such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provide a foundation for sustainability expectations, while organizations like FIFA have established clear environmental objectives for major events. Practices such as carbon offsetting, renewable energy use, waste diversion, and sustainable transportation are often mandated at the national or regional level. The NFL’s international games frequently benefit from hosting venues that already prioritize sustainability. For example, Allianz Arena in Munich operates on 100% renewable energy and enforces strict recycling regulations. During a 2024 NFL game, single-use plastics were banned, surplus food was donated to local shelters, and 5,000 trees were planted to offset emissions. Similarly, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, a LEED Platinum venue, offsets carbon emissions associated with fan travel and stadium operations.

Operational Challenges and Comparative Insights

Despite sustainability gains, international games present operational challenges. Long-distance air travel significantly increases carbon emissions, with international events generating five to 10 times more travel-related pollution than domestic games. Shipping equipment, managing waste systems unfamiliar to visiting fans, and balancing commercial priorities with environmental goals further complicate sustainability efforts. Comparative analysis reveals notable differences between domestic and international sustainability practices. U.S. stadiums demonstrate strong foundational initiatives, including recycling programs, energy-efficient lighting, and renewable energy integration. However, international stadiums often exhibit more comprehensive, system-wide sustainability strategies driven by national regulations rather than individual organizational initiatives. International venues more frequently achieve net-zero or carbon-neutral goals, utilize smart energy systems, and integrate sustainable transportation planning. In contrast, U.S. stadiums tend to focus on individual sustainability features rather than holistic operational models. These findings suggest that regulatory environments play a critical role in shaping sustainability outcomes.

Conclusion

This research highlights the growing importance of sustainability within professional sports and event management. While the NFL has made meaningful progress through programs such as NFL Green and team-level initiatives, sustainability practices vary widely across domestic and international contexts. International stadiums often demonstrate stronger, more integrated sustainability performance due to regulatory expectations and infrastructure design. By blending domestic innovation with international best practices, the NFL has an opportunity to create a more cohesive and environmentally responsible event model. This undergraduate research underscores the value of comparative analysis and experiential learning, demonstrating how student-led inquiry can contribute to industry-relevant sustainability discourse and inform the future of large-scale sporting events!