Playing with the Planet: the climate cost of UEFA’s growth plan

New analysis highlights the growing climate cost of UEFA’s expanding club competitions, as emissions from the Champions League and Europa League rise sharply. The surge is being driven by an increase in fixtures, heavy reliance on air travel, and sponsorship deals with high-polluting companies – despite growing calls for football to align with climate science and cut emissions fast.

The research, carried out by Scientists for Global Responsibility in collaboration with Cool Down – The Sport for Climate Action Network – shows that total match-related emissions from UEFA’s three club competitions rose by 209,300 tonnes CO₂e in the 2024/25 season. That’s the same as nearly 150,000 petrol cars driven for an entire year.

The largest rise was in the Europa League, where matches increased by 54% and emissions jumped 40% in just one year. The Champions League saw a similar trend, with a new format driving up games and emissions. In contrast, the Conference League saw emissions fall by 19%, largely due to a drop in fan attendance – suggesting fans may be growing tired of yet more international fixtures.

But it’s not just travel that’s driving the rise. UEFA’s commercial deals – known as ‘sponsored emissions’ – generated 6 million tonnes of CO₂e, more than three times the match-related emissions. A single deal with Qatar Airways accounts for two-thirds of that total.

The report warns that, without leadership and urgent action, UEFA’s expansion plans could lock in emissions that undermine its own sustainability commitments – and put the future of the game at risk.