The sustainable management of sporting facilities cannot ignore the concept of efficiency, in all its forms: from the reduction of energy consumption to water wastage and refuse management. Today sport, and in particular those who manage sporting facilities, are called upon to achieve ‘sustainability through efficiency’, a challenge that requires a holistic, innovative and visionary approach. It calls for an awareness of the new technologies and recognition of the frightening effects of climate change that now negatively impact on the world’s most popular social activity. In Italy as in Europe, sport centres are increasingly embracing the necessity of consuming fewer resources, creating a winning model of education and awareness for sustainability, just as sport teaches us through its values. The adoption of innovative, practical and smart solutions can make the difference, showing that the transition of sport towards greener practices is not just possible but also cost-effective. Because consuming less means saving money and resources.

One of the ways of making a sports facility truly sustainable is the installation of photovoltaic panels that cover the energy needs of the whole structure. The self-production of electricity from a renewable source such as the sun does more than reduce dependency on fossil fuels, it also reduces operating costs and fosters sustainable development locally. A winning move that requires batteries for energy storage and management software to achieve cost-effective and efficient economies of scale.

Another crucial aspect for the sustainability of a sports facility is the use of eco-friendly materials for the construction and maintenance of the structure. This includes the use of recycled and recyclable materials, as well as innovative solutions such aseco-friendly paints—paints made up of natural-origin components—and draining surfaces that drain water uniformly, preventing flooding and standing water.

In a climate that is becoming increasingly unpredictable, adaptive solutions are required even in periods of drought. This is why reducing water consumption is essential in the operational management of a sports centre. Adopting water collection and reuse systems for rainwater is one way of doing this and can create a circular irrigation system for outdoor playing fields. Low-flush toilets and low-flow taps are another way of significantly reducing the consumption of mains water in the locker rooms. By integrating these systems with an appropriate management of waste water, a sports centre can lower its water footprint.

Another element of sustainable management concerns waste collection. The implementation of a circular approach limits waste production and permits recycling. Setting up an efficient separate waste collection system is the first step towards ensuring that rubbish is correctly separated and recycled. One way of doing this is to position waste bins for separated waste in strategic and easily accessible points inside the facility, encouraging users to dispose of their rubbish correctly. If the aim is to reduce the production of single-use waste, in particular the use of plastic water bottles, a good approach is to favour the use of water flasks by installing water fountains.

By creating greater weather extremes, global warming has far-reaching effects on the balance of the global energy system, which, with the increasingly high temperatures, must face and manage unprecedented energy peaks. Of course, this also impacts the finances of sports facilities, which need to equip themselves as far as possible with smart technologies. Apart from generating a significant environmental impact, high energy consumption derived from the heating and air-conditioning of indoor areas increases overhead costs, leaving little margin for any growth. Energy-hungry facilities such as swimming pools, gyms and outdoor playing fields require high-performance and efficient air-conditioning, ventilation and lighting that, on the one hand, meet the needs of users, and on the other, allow a reduction in energy wastage.

In this process of increasing efficiency, integrated digital platforms and management software can be of help, enabling managers of sports centres to monitor and optimise energy consumption in real time. These systems regulate the temperature of the spaces, control lighting and manage the sports facility based on effective use.

Finally, increasing efficiency also involves the energy upgrading of buildings. In this case, one of the first steps is the replacement of old boilers with low-consumption heating systems, such as heat pumps. These devices, if powered by energy from renewable sources, can drastically reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and CO₂ emissions.

For every sports centre, it is essential to ensure visual comfort, both for the athletes and for the spectators. This is only possible with an efficient lighting system that makes the most of the lighting performance of products available on the market. LED floodlights and lamps are, in this respect, an ideal solution, with simplified installation procedures, lowered maintenance costs and notable energy savings. The wide range of LED technologies also provide an excellent distribution of light both horizontally and vertically, ensuring that competitions can take place with perfect visibility for officials, players and spectators. In brief, compared to traditional incandescent or florescent lamps, LEDs offer a bright and uniform light, while improving energy performance within the entire sports facility.