Wind-driven wildfires have ravaged large portions of California, particularly around Los Angeles. These blazes have resulted in at least 24 confirmed deaths, with thousands of buildings destroyed.
While the region is reeling from these devastating fires, the shadow of climate change looms large, raising urgent questions about the feasibility of hosting major global sporting events like the 2028 Summer Olympics and the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles.
Iris Stewart-Frey, an environmental science professor at Santa Clara University, pointed out the need for a critical reassessment of the costs and benefits of such events. “We need to take a long, hard look at the cost and benefits of each of these [major sports events],” she said in an interview with BBC Sport. “In no place are we immune from the things we have done to the environment. In many ways, it is a wake-up call.”
Read the BBC article in full.
The Wildfires: A Stark Reminder of Climate Change
Firefighters in California have struggled to contain a number of wildfires, which are being fueled by strong winds and dry vegetation. This combination of extreme heat, drought, and high winds is a product of what scientists refer to as “climate whiplash”—a phenomenon in which extreme weather events shift quickly between wet and dry conditions. For California, the last few years have been particularly volatile. A decade-long drought left the soil dry and vulnerable, followed by heavy rains in 2022 and 2023, which fostered new vegetation. This, combined with rising temperatures, has created an ideal environment for wildfires to spread.
Stewart-Frey emphasized the point that even highly developed and resource-rich areas like Los Angeles are not immune to the effects of climate change. “These fires highlight that wherever we are, we have to be planning for weather and climate events that we haven’t seen in human history,” she warned.
As wildfires continue to rage, sports events in the region are being disrupted. The Los Angeles Rams’ NFL playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings was relocated to Arizona, while NBA and NHL fixtures involving the LA Lakers and LA Kings were postponed. These disruptions highlight the very real impact that extreme weather events can have on sports, particularly in a region that is set to host major international events in the coming years.
A Changing Climate and the Future of Major Sporting Events
California’s climate has changed drastically since Los Angeles last hosted the Olympics in 1984. Extreme weather events, including fires, droughts, and floods, are now more common, and their intensity is increasing. A recent study found that climate change has amplified these so-called whiplash conditions by 31-66% globally since the mid-20th century. The study also found that California now experiences 78 more days per year with ideal conditions for fires than it did 50 years ago.
Timothy Kellison, an associate professor of sport management at Florida State University, noted that researchers have been warning for some time about the potential risks posed by climate change to large sporting events. “Climate-related sea level rises, extreme heat, and extreme cold are all concerns,” Kellison explained. “Wildfires are particularly unpredictable in terms of their size and scope, but there is mounting evidence that they will continue to worsen and become more frequent.”
While extreme weather poses a direct threat to sporting events, it is also worth noting that such events contribute to climate change. For example, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar was responsible for emitting 3.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, with the organization later being found to have misrepresented its environmental promises. Stewart-Frey highlighted the irony of these events: “Any of these activities adds to carbon emissions,” she said, stressing that it’s not too late to make adjustments before major events like the 2028 Olympics.
Is Sport Taking Climate Change Seriously?
Both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIFA now employ senior sustainability officers to ensure that environmental concerns are taken into account when planning major events. However, these sustainability efforts often seem secondary to other priorities like sponsorship deals, marketing, and revenue generation. Kellison pointed out that while sustainability has a voice within these organizations, it is often not at the highest decision-making levels. “Until sustainability is fully integrated into the leadership at the top of these organizations, it will remain an uphill battle,” he said.
The IOC has expressed solidarity with those affected by the fires in Los Angeles and praised the tireless work of local firefighters. A spokesperson for the organization emphasized that, at present, the focus must be on fighting the fires and protecting people and property. FIFA did not respond to requests for comment from BBC Sport.
Adapting to Climate Change
The reality of climate change is becoming undeniable, as global temperatures continue to break records. The European Copernicus service recently reported that 2024 was 1.6°C warmer than pre-industrial temperatures, a new high. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has described this temperature rise as a “climate breakdown,” underscoring the urgent need for adaptation.
Kellison suggests that sports organizations are beginning to shift their focus from attempting to halt climate change to adapting to its consequences. “Rescheduling events, fortifying facilities, and rethinking event locations are all part of the strategy,” he explained. “The goal now is to expect the unexpected.”
While the impact of climate change on sports may seem abstract, it has become increasingly tangible. As major events are disrupted, fans may begin to realize just how real the threat of climate change is. “Sometimes it takes events like this for people to really wrap their brains around climate change,” said Kellison. “It’s only when people experience it firsthand that they start to understand its full impact.”
Sport has long been a catalyst for social change, and it may once again play a pivotal role in helping society confront the climate crisis. “We need to come together for friendly competition and goodwill,” Stewart-Frey said. “But we also need to figure out how to do that without destroying the environment in the process.” As the world grapples with climate change, the future of sports—and the global events that define it—will depend on how well the industry adapts.
