For this September edition of our Leagues Sustainability Roundup, we highlight some of the key social and environmental sustainability initiatives delivered across European domestic football.
Throughout the month, European leagues continued to demonstrate football’s positive impact beyond the pitch. From embedding sustainability into matchday operations and developing long-term environmental strategies to improving accessibility, supporting mental and physical health, encouraging active lifestyles and promoting inclusion, domestic leagues once again showcased football’s unique ability to create meaningful and lasting impact across society.
Udinese becomes the first club to implement the Football Event Sustainability Manual – Lega Serie A, Italy
Udinese Calcio has launched “Play for Sustainability”, becoming the first club to apply the UEFA and European Leagues Football Event Sustainability Manual to a domestic match. The initiative addresses sustainable mobility, energy use, waste management, catering, accessibility and supporter engagement, demonstrating how sustainability can be integrated into matchday operations – Read the news
French professional football strengthens access for visually impaired supporters – Ligue de Football Professionnel, France
For a 14th season, the Ligue de Football Professionnel and HandiCaPZéro are helping visually impaired supporters follow French professional football. Free guides in Braille, large print, audio and accessible digital formats provide information about fixtures, clubs and stadium access, contributing to a more inclusive and accessible supporter experience – Read the news
Sustainability Matchday turns small steps into meaningful impact – Deutscher Fußball-Bund, Germany
Clubs from the 3. Liga and Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga joined supporters in promoting sustainable action. Initiatives included climate-friendly travel, female empowerment, blood and stem-cell donation, inclusion teams, clean-ups and tree planting. The German Football Association also donated €11,500 to sustainability projects based on the goals scored – Read the news
Sustainability Strategy sets a new direction for Czech professional football – League Football Association, Czech Republic
The League Football Association has presented ESG Strategy 2030, the first comprehensive sustainability framework for Czech professional football. Covering 11 priority areas, the strategy provides clubs with a structured approach to environmental responsibility, social impact and good governance while establishing shared ambitions for the long-term development of the professional game – Read the news
Swiss Inclusion League welcomed by FC Winterthur – Swiss Football League, Switzerland
FC Winterthur hosted the Swiss Inclusion League for the first time, bringing together around 140 players and more than 400 participants and spectators. Combining inclusive competition, fair play and walking football, the event gave people with disabilities an opportunity to represent professional clubs and enjoy football within a welcoming environment – Read the news
Queen Máxima joins football’s conversation on men’s mental health – Eredivisie, Netherlands
Queen Máxima met footballers involved in “Real Men Don’t Cry”, an initiative encouraging men to speak openly about their mental health. Through personal stories, film screenings and workshops, the programme uses football’s reach to challenge stigma and create safe spaces where vulnerability, honest conversations and seeking support are accepted – Read the news
All Premier League clubs provide support through Together Against Suicide – Premier League, England
All 20 Premier League clubs are supporting “Together Against Suicide”, helping supporters access safe and non-judgmental spaces around matchdays. Working with Samaritans and other trusted organisations, clubs are raising awareness, encouraging potentially life-saving conversations and directing fans towards professional assistance when they or someone close to them may need support – Read the news
Matchday dedicated to World Bone Marrow Donor Day – Super League Greece, Greece
Super League Greece dedicated its fifth matchday to World Bone Marrow Donor Day in cooperation with ORAMA ELPIDA. Players, referees and mascots carried dedicated messages, while stadium and broadcast visibility helped explain how voluntary registration can increase the chances of identifying compatible donors and saving lives – Read the news
Bundesliga bewegt brings more physical activity into all-day schools – Bundesliga Foundation, Germany
Around 50 representatives from professional clubs met at the German Football Association Campus to strengthen “Bundesliga bewegt”. The programme uses accessible games, teacher development and cooperation between schools and clubs to integrate more regular physical activity into children’s daily routines and promote healthier and more active lifestyles – Read the news
Arena Liga Portugal promotes the BeActive spirit – Liga Portugal, Portugal
Arena Liga Portugal welcomed more than 100 children and young people from 10 institutions and a school in the Porto district during the European Week of Sport. Interactive football activities promoted participation, healthy lifestyles, ethics and sporting values while demonstrating how the game can support learning and personal development – Read the news
Serie C supports the European Week of Sport – Lega Pro, Italy
Lega Pro supported the European Week of Sport during the seventh Serie C matchday. Stadium announcements, LED displays, commentary messages and digital content encouraged supporters to “BeActive Your Way”, highlighting the importance of regular movement and showing how professional football can promote healthier habits across local communities – Read the news
Lega Serie A promotes visual health and safer driving – Lega Serie A, Italy
Lega Serie A and the Italian Defence Commission joined forces for the “Vista e Guida” visual-prevention campaign. Supported by Marco Tardelli and promoted during the third matchday, the initiative encourages regular eye examinations and explains the important connection between good visual health, prevention and safer driving – Read the news
Domestic leagues unite around a shared ambition for sustainable football – European Leagues
Nineteen league sustainability experts joined European Leagues, UEFA and European Football Clubs for a two-day workshop in Nyon. Discussions addressed social responsibility, environmental action and accountability while highlighting how domestic leagues can accelerate progress, exchange practical solutions and support a shared ambition for more sustainable football – Read the news