From Mega-Event to Measurable Legacy: Localising the SDGs Through the UEFA EURO 2032 Sustainability Concept and Strategy

Sports mega-events are increasingly required to leave a measurable and lasting legacy in the cities and territories that host them, thus moving beyond the mere rhetoric of sustainability. In this regard, the Sustainability Concept and Strategy developed by Politecnico di Milano for the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) as part of the UEFA EURO 2032 bid integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles throughout the entire lifecycle of the sporting event, from its conception to its post-event legacy, and positions the FIGC UEFA EURO 2032 mega-event as a catalyst for transformational change aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the UEFA Sustainability Strategy 2030. Specifically, the framework foresees stakeholder engagement from the early stages of proposal development and action monitoring based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), in turn aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The proposed Sustainability Concept and Strategy aims to achieve and localise key sustainability objectives such as carbon neutrality, zero waste, biodiversity protection, sustainable mobility, renewable energy communities, smart energy monitoring, and water reuse systems, generating long-term territorial environmental benefits while ensuring full respect for human rights. As a key innovation aimed at ensuring long-term territorial benefits across the host cities and promoting a shared culture of environmental sustainability, the Sustainability Concept and Strategy introduces “Sustainable Living Labs” in each host city as participatory governance arenas for the co-design of local actions. This contribution provides insights into the key elements of the Sustainability Concept and Strategy and discusses how this framework, and sports mega-events more broadly, can evolve from short-term spectacles into measurable sustainability transitions, localising the SDGs throughout the event lifecycle and generating tangible and lasting territorial impact. Finally, the paper offers an interdisciplinary and replicable model for future international sporting events.