Sports events are all about excitement, packed stands, loud cheering, and unforgettable moments. But behind all that energy lies a side we often overlook: the environmental cost.

Most people assume stadium lights or waste generation are the biggest contributors to pollution. In reality, fan travel alone accounts for nearly 80% of the total carbon footprint of sports events. That means the biggest impact doesn’t happen inside the stadium at all; it happens on the way there.

Take the recent ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India. With thousands of fans driving in from nearby cities or flying in from other states, travel-related emissions surged far beyond the emissions generated by stadium operations.

In this blog, we break down why fan travel emissions outweigh stadium emissions, what this means for the future of sports, and how simple steps toward sustainable fan travel can dramatically reduce the environmental impact of major tournaments.