The NFL is proving that professional sports can be a force for sustainability. Across the United States, several stadiums are adopting renewable energy, cutting waste, and setting new standards for how major venues can operate.
One of the biggest milestones came in Las Vegas. Allegiant Stadium, home of the Raiders, became the first NFL stadium fully powered by renewable energy in 2023. Through a partnership with NV Energy, all of its electricity now comes from solar farms in the Nevada desert, backed by large-scale batteries. Even the Super Bowl held there was powered 100% by clean energy — a first in history.
But Las Vegas is not alone. The Philadelphia Eagles’ Lincoln Financial Field is covered with more than 10,000 solar panels and wind turbines, producing thousands of megawatt-hours each year and earning LEED Platinum certification. The San Francisco 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium has solar arrays that generate enough electricity to power every home game and features a rooftop farm that reduces its footprint. In Atlanta, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium has over 4,000 solar panels and has also reached LEED Platinum, the highest level of green building certification.
Other teams are joining in too: the Seattle Seahawks’ Lumen Field uses solar to cover a significant portion of its energy needs, while the New England Patriots’ Gillette Stadium relies on 3,000 panels that provide more than half the electricity for its surrounding complex.
These projects show that football is more than a game — it’s also a platform for innovation. By harnessing solar and wind power, NFL teams are reducing emissions, lowering operating costs, and showing fans that sustainability belongs at the heart of sports.
