Hosting a sustainable sports event doesn’t have to be complicated. Our guide, How to Host a Green Game, outlines easy-to-follow steps for sports teams and event organizers to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability at a single game.
Whether you’re a professional team with many home games in a season, or you’re planning a local youth tournament, these strategies can help your event run greener and inspire participants to take climate action.
Want a copy of the full guide? Download it here, or contact us to see how Racing to Zero can support your green game planning.
What is a Green Game?
A Green Game is a special home game designed to shine a spotlight on sustainability.
Much like Pride Night or Indigenous Heritage Night, it’s a themed event designed to engage your fans, showcase your values, and drive action for the planet.
How to Participate
Here’s how you can join the fight against climate change by hosting your very own Green Game!
Try to check off as many steps as you can! If you can’t do them all this year, work towards completing all steps at next year’s game!
STEP 1: Choose Your Game
Pick a home game that you want to spotlight your sustainability efforts and inspire your community.
STEP 2: Plan Sustainable Travel
Make it easier for fans to travel green:
- Partner with local transit to offer free or discounted tickets
- Set up a bike valet service or extra bike parking
- Promote walking, biking, carpooling, or transit in your pre-game communications
- Offer prizes or giveaways for fans who arrive sustainably
STEP 3: Go Plant-Based at Concessions
Reduce the footprint of your food by:
- Offering only plant-based food options during the game
- Showcasing local, seasonal menu items
- Partnering with a food recovery organization to donate excess food post-game
STEP 4: Eliminate Single-Use Plastics
Tackle plastic waste head-on:
- Ban single-use plastic water bottles for teams, staff, and vendors
- Encourage fans to bring their own reusable bottles
- Provide or highlight existing water refill stations
STEP 5: Engage Fans on Waste
Make waste sorting visible and educational:
- Recruit a Green Team of volunteers to assist with waste sorting and educate fans
- Ensure recycling, compost, and landfill stations are clearly labeled and accessible
- Use signage and announcements to explain proper sorting
STEP 6: Offset Your Impact
Balance your footprint with meaningful action:
- Allocate a portion of ticket sales to purchasing high-quality carbon offsets or supporting tree-planting projects.
- Consider in-game challenges like “One tree for every completed pass” or “$X donation to local environmental charity for every goal scored”
STEP 7: Light Up Green
Show your solidarity with other teams across Canada by lighting your venue green on game day, a visible sign of your commitment to a sustainable future.
STEP 8: Communicate the Message
Be proud of your efforts and make sure fans and partners know this is a Green Game:
- Include the theme in pre-event emails, website listings, and across your social media channels
- Deliver in-game messaging, PA announcements, and halftime content about what you’re doing and why
- Invite a player, coach, or local environmental leader to speak or share a video message.
