Elite Soccer Performance and Climate Change

Climate Central analysis indicates that human-caused climate change has significantly increased the risk of sub-optimal temperatures (21°C or higher) that impair elite soccer performance during the 2025 UEFA Champions League knockout stages. Comparing current data to the 1970s, the likelihood of such heat has risen for all 23 analyzed stadiums, with the most dramatic increase occurring at Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, where the risk increased by 800%. This temperature threshold is critical because research shows that players cover less total distance, sprint less, and perform fewer high-intensity efforts when temperatures reach or exceed 21°C.

• Human-caused climate change has increased the likelihood of temperatures reaching or exceeding 21°C—the threshold where elite soccer player running performance declines—at all 23 analyzed UEFA Champions League stadiums when comparing 2025 to the 1970s.
• The risk of sub-optimal temperatures has increased most severely in Barcelona at Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, where the probability has risen by 800%. In Paris, London, and Birmingham, the risk of facing these temperatures has doubled.
• Research indicates that when temperatures are 21°C or higher, soccer players exhibit reduced performance, including covering less total distance, fewer high-speed runs, fewer sprints, and fewer high-intensity efforts compared to cooler conditions.

APA

Climate Central (2025). Elite Soccer Performance and Climate Change. https://www.climatecentral.org/report/elite-soccer-performance-and-climate-change

Chicago

Climate Central. Elite Soccer Performance and Climate Change. 2025. https://www.climatecentral.org/report/elite-soccer-performance-and-climate-change.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Central |title=Elite Soccer Performance and Climate Change |date=22 April 2025 |url=https://www.climatecentral.org/report/elite-soccer-performance-and-climate-change |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatecentral2025elite, author = {{Climate Central}}, title = {{Elite Soccer Performance and Climate Change}}, institution = {Climate Central}, year = {2025}, month = apr, url = {https://www.climatecentral.org/report/elite-soccer-performance-and-climate-change}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }