Nelson Mandela once remarked, “Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.” This sentiment may hold true, particularly as we look toward 2026. While sports continue to serve as a universal language, bringing together diverse groups in a manner akin to Esperanto, the sector faces significant challenges.
The venues we utilize—whether fields, rivers, oceans, mountains, or parks—are suffering from the adverse effects of fossil fuel combustion, as the climate crisis disrupts the world of sports.
This context underscores the launch of The Hotspot, a new biweekly newsletter from the Guardian that focuses on the intersection of sports and climate change. Our mission extends beyond merely reporting on how sports are evolving or will evolve; we aim to uncover compelling stories and chart a path forward, navigating through the challenges that lie ahead.
Globally, extreme weather events have led to the cancellation of competitions and rendered many sporting venues unplayable due to flooding, storms, or wildfires. The rising temperatures and deteriorating air quality pose health risks to athletes, both amateur and professional, with issues ranging from heat-related illnesses to respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Tennis player Holger Rune highlighted the gravity of this situation during the Shanghai Masters last year, questioning officials about player safety in the face of such conditions. Elevated pollution levels and extreme heat not only threaten athlete well-being but also compromise their performance and increase injury risks, affecting officials and fans as well.
Countries particularly vulnerable to climate impacts face heightened risks in their sporting activities. Mia Mottley, the Prime Minister of Barbados, emphasized the need to adapt to existing conditions in sports rather than idealized versions. Unfortunately, wealthier nations and sports organizations often turn a blind eye.
Author David Goldblatt has estimated that the sports industry generates a carbon footprint comparable to that of a small to medium-sized nation, between the sizes of Cuba and Poland. Although the sector acknowledges its environmental impact, it continues to pursue growth aggressively, attracting funding from both authoritarian regimes and fossil fuel enterprises, reminiscent of the tobacco industry’s past practices.
The 2024 report titled “Dirty Money” from the New Weather Institute revealed that state-owned and private fossil fuel companies are investing at least $5.6 billion (£4.2 billion) in global sports sponsorships through 205 active agreements. Notably, the recent Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, which relied on water from dwindling rivers to create artificial snow, received backing from oil giant Eni. Additionally, this summer’s men’s football World Cup, labeled the most environmentally damaging ever by Scientists for Global Responsibility, is set to feature advertisements from Aramco, the world’s leading corporate greenhouse gas emitter, with emissions during the event projected to rise by 92% compared to the average from 2010 to 2022.
Nevertheless, fans are responding actively to these developments. Sport has always been a powerful motivator, inspiring individuals to engage in physical activity and stay up late to watch events. Numerous grassroots organizations have emerged, such as Surfers Against Sewage, Fossil Free Football, FrontRunners, and Protect Our Winters, all dedicated to advocacy. Individual clubs like Forest Green Rovers and athletes such as Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins are also raising their voices for change. Clubs like Fillongley CC, showcased in the UK pavilion at COP30, are taking steps to promote environmental sustainability.
Sports organizations are beginning to forge partnerships with alternative sponsors, with Northern Rail collaborating with Rugby’s Super League and cricket aligning with eco-friendly institutions like Metrobank. Oxford United’s limited-edition jersey features an artistic representation of John Ruskin’s “Study of a Wild Rose” to coincide with an exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum titled “How Plants Changed Our World.” There remains a wealth of untapped fan engagement and extensive data that can further unite sports enthusiasts and scientists alike.
Sport has a remarkable ability to stage comebacks, often thriving in adversity. The planet now urgently requires that same resilience and determination to secure its future.
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