Udinese Calcio has launched "Play for Sustainability," the first initiative to apply UEFA's Football Event Sustainability Manual at a Serie A match.
Udine, 15th September 2026 – Udinese Calcio has officially kicked off its annual initiative, Play for Sustainability – Our Planet, Our Game. This program aims to implement measurable sustainability practices during Serie A matchdays. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Bluenergy Stadium, where representatives from UEFA, Lega Serie A, FIGC, and the Italian Ministry of Environment were in attendance. The initiative will debut during the club's home game against Cagliari on 19 September at 15:00 CET.
Developed by UEFA and European Leagues in June 2026, the Football Event Sustainability Manual serves as a practical guide for clubs, leagues, and national associations to incorporate environmental and social responsibility throughout the lifecycle of football events, from planning to evaluation. Notably, Udinese marks the first football club to leverage this manual for an actual league match.
Key sustainability measures for the Udinese-Cagliari game will include enhanced initiatives around sustainable transportation, utilization of renewable energy, waste management strategies, promoting responsible catering, ensuring accessibility for all attendees, and engaging fans through post-match reporting. The club encourages supporters to travel by bicycle, aligning with its Pedalata ecologica initiative.
During the press event, Udinese Calcio and its partners elaborated on the goals of Play for Sustainability, detailing how the Football Event Sustainability Manual will be applied in practice, and outlining a broader ambition to create a measurable framework for sustainable football match operations.
Magda Pozzo, Udinese Calcio: “Play for Sustainability represents our belief that a football club can have an impact beyond the pitch. This isn’t about showcasing one match as a solution; it’s about establishing an ongoing commitment that allows us to trial meaningful actions, assess their effectiveness, and continuously improve.” She added, “Partnering with UEFA and adopting the Football Event Sustainability Manual gives us a vital framework to bring this ambition into action."
Filippo Veglio, UEFA Chief of Social & Environmental Sustainability: “UEFA supports Udinese Calcio in this significant initiative. By weaving sustainability into the fabric of match delivery, the club sets a compelling example for the wider football fraternity. This collaboration can illustrate how practical measures from the UEFA Event Sustainability Manual can yield substantial outcomes.”
Ezio Simonelli, President of Lega Serie A: “I applaud the Pozzo family and Udinese Calcio for this commendable initiative, showcasing how matchdays present an opportunity to advocate for and implement sustainable practices, measure effects, and refine these strategies over time. This shared approach is essential for football as it faces sustainability challenges, and I hope other clubs will mimic Udinese's proactive stance.”
Giovanni Malagò, President of FIGC:
“Udinese has once again established itself as a forward-thinking club, distinct within Italian football. The Pozzo family deserves recognition for committing to both environmental and financial sustainability. This marks a pivotal moment in your already commendable journey in this regard.”
Play for Sustainability is designed as a year-round program, ensuring ongoing engagement rather than a singular event. The inaugural 2026 edition aims to create an initial benchmark, with Udinese measuring the outcomes of various initiatives and using insights gained to enhance future iterations.
The club will collaborate with local stakeholders throughout the matchday to gather data and evaluate the performance of these initiatives. Initial findings will be disclosed after the match, setting the baseline for subsequent Play for Sustainability editions.
Sustainability plays a crucial role in Udinese Calcio's strategic vision. The club recently topped Italy's rankings and was fourth among clubs in Europe's five major leagues according to the 2023 Brand Finance Football Sustainability Perceptions Index, gauging environmental, social, and governance perceptions.
This commitment has been amplified through the establishment of a solar park atop the Bluenergy Stadium, featuring 2,409 photovoltaic panels that generate an impressive average of 3,000 kWh per day. This initiative also aligns with Energia in Campo, a Renewable Energy Community that allows surplus energy from the stadium to benefit participating supporters and local businesses.
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