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British sport under-prepared for climate risks as costs rise, report says
A report by the British Association for Sustainable Sport warns that British sport is poorly prepared for climate change, which is already damaging facilities, disrupting matches and raising costs. It says the risks also threaten participation and public health, and should be treated as a recurring business concern across the sector.
All organisations surveyed said extreme weather affected them in 2026, while 94 per cent considered sport under-prepared; among more than 200 respondents, 86 per cent reported extreme heat and 78 per cent drought. The report found 27 per cent of professional stadiums analysed in England face high flood risk, projected to reach 35 per cent, and cited at least 118 weather-related postponements in the top six tiers of men’s football from 2021-22 to 2025-26. It calls for adaptation plans, better reporting and a £30 million annual fund for grassroots facilities.
In short
- British sport is under-prepared for intensifying extreme weather.
- Flooding, heat and drought are already disrupting clubs and matches.
- The report proposes a £30 million yearly resilience fund.
Explained simply
Sport depends on places where people can play and watch, from local pitches to professional stadiums. Climate change can bring heavier rain, flooding, drought and extreme heat, which may damage these facilities, interrupt fixtures and make them more expensive to run.
The British Association for Sustainable Sport is an organisation that examines environmental issues in sport. Its report considers how clubs, governing bodies and facility operators can prepare for climate risks, which affect both professional sport and local participation.
The issue matters because damaged or unavailable facilities can limit opportunities to play and affect the communities that rely on them. Heat and other extreme conditions can also pose risks to the health of players, staff and spectators.