New tool showcases LEED- and TRUE-certified venues and their role in advancing sustainability throughout host communities
WASHINGTON— As stadiums across North America prepare to welcome millions of fans for a summer packed with baseball, international football, concerts and live entertainment, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has unveiled a new digital resource designed to spotlight the environmental leadership of these iconic venues.
The newly launched Sustainable Stadiums Interactive Map enables fans, media, venue operators and local leaders to explore LEED- and TRUE-certified stadiums throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tool also identifies nearby LEED-certified hotels, restaurants and other buildings, illustrating how sustainability efforts extend beyond individual venues and into surrounding communities.
The initiative aims to showcase how major sports and entertainment facilities are reducing energy use, conserving water, minimizing waste and improving operational performance while serving as highly visible examples of environmental stewardship.
“Stadiums are more than places to watch a match or catch a ninth-inning rally,” said Rhiannon Jacobsen, managing director of U.S. Market Transformation & Development at USGBC. “They’re year-round civic landmarks—hosting concerts, community events and major sporting moments—that often sit at the center of local transportation, economic development and tourism. As communities face hotter summers, rising utility costs and increasing expectations for responsible operations, stadiums have an outsized opportunity to demonstrate what good stewardship looks like at scale.”
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the world’s most widely used green building rating system, while TRUE certification helps facilities pursue and achieve zero-waste goals.
Sustainability Beyond the Stadium
The map arrives during a busy season of international football tournaments taking place across the United States, Mexico and Canada. More than half of the stadiums hosting tournament matches have achieved LEED certification, reflecting a growing commitment to sustainability among major sports venues.
By linking stadiums with nearby certified hotels, restaurants and commercial buildings, the map highlights the broader ecosystem of sustainability that supports visitors and residents alike.
“This summer’s events remind us that sustainability is not confined to a single building,” USGBC noted. “It is reflected in how people travel, where they stay, what they eat and how communities manage resources.”
The measurable impact of sustainability initiatives at participating venues is substantial. Collectively, host stadiums report:
- More than 11,500 solar panels generating over 5,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy annually.
- More than 100 million gallons of potable water saved each year—equivalent to roughly 180 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
- More than 5 million single-use plastic items eliminated annually through sustainable food and beverage programs.
- Energy performance improvements that in some cases are projected to save more than $1 million annually.
- Waste diversion rates reaching 99% at four participating venues.
Existing Stadiums Drive New Performance Gains
Many of the stadiums featured on the map achieved certification through LEED for Operations and Maintenance (LEED O+M), a framework that helps existing buildings improve sustainability and operational efficiency.
Unlike certifications focused on new construction, LEED O+M emphasizes day-to-day building performance, including energy consumption, water use, waste management and indoor environmental quality.
For sports venues that host millions of visitors annually, the certification provides independently verified performance metrics and increased transparency for fans, sponsors and local communities.
One example is GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
“We are proud to have transformed a venue of this age, style and complexity so it remains energy efficient and environmentally friendly for fans who attend any of our events,” said Brandon Hamilton, vice president of stadium operations and facilities for the Kansas City Chiefs. “Through the LEED certification process, we estimate that GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium has reduced energy operational costs by 10%, water usage by 14%, and that we have quadrupled waste diversion through implementation of onsite composting and onsite sorting of recyclables.”
In Mexico City, Estadio Banorte has also emerged as a model for sustainable venue operations.
“In Mexico, LEED certification is a powerful catalyst for transformation,” said Bernardo Barona, director of growth and development for Latin America at Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). “As the oldest football stadium in North America, Estadio Banorte demonstrates this with its LEED Platinum certification, converting a historic structure into a high-performing, sustainable stadium while honoring its cultural identity.”
Alexandre Costa, CEO of Estadio Banorte, added: “We are deeply proud to have breathed new life into a venue with such a rich history and grandeur, ensuring that every fan who visits us does so in an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly space.”
Waste Reduction Takes Center Stage
The interactive map also highlights stadiums that have earned TRUE certification, recognizing leadership in waste reduction and progress toward zero-waste operations.
For venues that manage significant volumes of food service materials, packaging and event-day waste, TRUE provides a framework for implementing practical strategies that reduce landfill dependence and support circular economy principles.
Many participating stadiums have expanded sustainability efforts beyond energy and water conservation by introducing programs that encourage reusable or recyclable containers, improve material recovery and reduce overall waste generation.
As sports organizations increasingly seek to balance operational performance with environmental responsibility, USGBC hopes the new map will serve as both an educational resource and a catalyst for continued innovation across the industry.
The Sustainable Stadiums Interactive Map is now available and allows users to discover LEED-certified stadiums and sustainability initiatives in communities throughout North America.
