How Sports Venues Are Turning Sustainability Goals Into Operations

APTIM’s fifth annual Sustainable Sport Index (SSI) Benchmarking Report shows how professional sports venues across the US are embedding sustainability into operations and measuring progress. With 62% of participating venues now having a dedicated environmental sustainability staff position and a 16% increase in venues with a formal sustainability policy compared to last year, the data reflects steady progress.

Nearly 80% of venues report improved employee and visitor satisfaction, and nearly 60% report increased sponsorship revenue. However, only 39% report lower operating costs—suggesting that many venues are still transitioning from early sustainability commitments to fully integrated operational changes.

Based on conversations with participating venues, our team has identified several industry-wide challenges related to implementing best practices and maximizing return on sustainability investments.

Turning Energy Data into Cost Savings

Energy tracking is now common among surveyed venues, with 96% measuring annual energy consumption. However, many of them are not using this data to identify and implement cost-saving opportunities. In many cases, tracking is conducted to meet regulatory requirements or stakeholder expectations, but the opportunity to use energy data for continuous improvement is underutilized.

To bridge the gap, venues should consider analyzing utility costs and usage trends to identify opportunities to increase efficiency. On-site sustainability assessments can further evaluate major equipment and operational practices while identifying utility incentive programs and other funding mechanisms that offset project costs. By connecting energy performance data to financial performance, venues can accelerate progress toward their overall venue sustainability.

Crossing Waste Diversion Thresholds

The average waste diversion rate for SSI participants has remained relatively flat at approximately 44% over the past several years. Although the percentage of venues with waste diversion goals and action plans has increased modestly, industry-wide improvements in waste diversion have not yet materialized at scale. Organic waste, paper towels, and food and beverage (F&B) serviceware remain common challenges for venue waste diversion programs.

Before investing in higher-cost solutions such as reuse systems or electric hand dryers, venues should consider conducting a waste audit to understand the largest sources of waste generation and contamination. Waste streams often vary seasonally and by event type, and data-driven insights can help optimize diversion strategies to address the most significant material streams.

Managing Identified Climate Risks to Your Venue

75% of SSI participants consider their vulnerability to climate change, yet only 9% have developed a formal climate adaptation plan. Survey results indicate that venues are experiencing game rescheduling, relocation, or cancellation due to extreme weather and climate-related events. Climate adaptation planning enables venues to prepare for risks such as extreme heat, flooding, and severe storms, reducing long-term operational disruption and financial exposure.

Venues can strengthen resilience by conducting or updating a comprehensive climate risk assessment, including evaluation of potential financial impacts. These assessments, which should be reevaluated every 2 to 3 years, can inform infrastructure investments and operational changes designed to mitigate identified risks.

Maximizing Business Outcomes Through Venue Sustainability Assessments

Venue operators increasingly recognize that environmental and operational performance initiatives can improve efficiency, strengthen brand value, and enhance relationships with fans, partners, and employees.

These opportunities can be identified and quantified through venue sustainability assessments. APTIM’s Sustainability Solutions team conducts assessments at large-scale facilities to evaluate performance, identify improvement opportunities, and develop practical implementation roadmaps. Our team also provides implementation support to ensure venues can achieve sustainability objectives effectively and efficiently.

Data-Driven Sustainability Backed by APTIM Expertise

SSI reflects APTIM’s broader approach to environmental and sustainability solutions: practical, data-driven, and tailored to each client’s context. SSI demonstrates how structured benchmarking can support informed decision-making and accelerate progress across the sports and entertainment industry.

Venues at all stages of sustainability maturity can participate in the SSI survey to benchmark environmental and operational performance and identify opportunities for improvement. Whether you are just beginning to formalize sustainability policies or already tracking emissions, diversion rates, and other key metrics, participating in next year’s SSI provides clarity, peer comparison, and actionable insights.

Download the 2025 SSI Benchmarking Report to explore the full findings and see how your venue compares with peers across the industry.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

Published March 2026