Wembley Stadium introduces sustainability rider

Wembley Stadium has introduced its own sustainability rider, following in the footsteps of other London venues The O2 and the Royal Albert Hall.

The rider outlines the role sustainability plays within the stadium’s operations, alongside advice and guidance for all organisations, promoters and touring artists that host events at the venue.

It also outlines considerations and recommendations for more sustainable choices to reduce the environmental impact of live events.

The 90,000-capacity stadium already works closely with bands and promoters to implement green initiatives. Last week, Coldplay revealed all of their Wembley shows in 2025 will be 100% powered via solar, wind and kinetic energy, collected at the venue and elsewhere in the UK – a world first for a stadium show.

“Sustainability, and reducing the impact of large events, is integral to our ambition to provide a world-leading, inspirational venue,” says Wembley Stadium director, Mark Lynch.

“Sustainability, and reducing the impact of large events, is integral to our ambition”

“This new sustainability rider sets out our vision and values. It will act as a conversation starter with artists, promoters and event owners, to see how we can work together to make a positive impact on the environment and local community around us.”

The new rider, which was created through consultation with environmental professionals, forms part of the FA (Football Association’s) overall sustainability strategy.

Ruaidhri Dunn, The FA’s head of procurement and sustainability, adds: “We are very proud of our achievements in recent years to continually improve how we embed sustainability, including Wembley Stadium maintaining the ISO20121 standard for sustainable events management.

“However, we want to make further progress. This new sustainability rider will enable us to move forward with the next phase of our sustainability efforts.”

Last year The FA launched its ‘Playing for the Future’, strategy to drive forward its environmental ambitions up until 2028.

Central to that plan was reducing the environmental impact of Wembley Stadium with a clear focus on reducing energy consumption, avoiding waste, improving recycling rates, reducing water consumption and positively impacting stakeholders.

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