As the world prepares to turn its attention to the Women’s EURO 2025 in Switzerland, something remarkable is already happening—before a single ball has even been kicked. This time, it’s not just about goals, glory, or historic rivalries. It’s about how the beautiful game is being reimagined with sustainability at its core.
From 2 July to 27 July 2025, 16 of Europe’s best women’s national football teams will go head-to-head across eight venues in Switzerland. But beyond the pitch, a different kind of competition is underway—one in which teams are choosing environmentally responsible travel over convenience. And that choice could redefine how major sporting events think about climate impact.
From Passive Participation to Active Commitment
UEFA’s push for sustainability isn’t entirely new. During the Men’s EURO 2024 in Germany, teams were required to travel by sustainable modes—namely train or coach—within the host country. Yet, compliance was minimal. Only two national teams—Germany and Switzerland—adhered to that requirement. The others, it seemed, were either unconvinced or uninterested.
Fast-forward a year later, and the contrast is stark. With just days to go before kick-off, five national teams have already confirmed their commitment to sustainable travel within Switzerland. These include Germany, Portugal, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. More are expected to follow.
What’s changed?
According to Aiza Rodrigues Akhtar, Corporate Travel Campaigner at Transport & Environment, the momentum lies in stronger advocacy, better planning, and increasing awareness within women’s football. “This shows a huge progress from last year’s men’s Eurocup,” she says. “Back then, teams were barely committing to ground transport—most didn’t even seem to have considered it.”
Climate Footprint: The Elephant on the Sidelines
In 2024, Germany’s environment agency, Umweltbundesamt, released a sobering statistic: transport accounted for 80% of the Men’s EURO 2024 climate footprint. While much of that came from fans travelling to matches, the teams themselves are still significant contributors.
But here’s the opportunity—national teams hold immense influence. When world-class athletes choose sustainable travel, it sends a powerful message to millions of fans: sustainability isn’t a compromise. It’s a responsibility.
And that’s exactly what’s happening in Switzerland this year.
UEFA has reintroduced its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Strategy for EURO 2025, once again asking teams to choose greener travel options where possible. But unlike the lukewarm response in 2024, this year’s women’s teams are stepping up with genuine commitment.
The Case for Going Greener
Travel Smart—a global campaign led by Transport & Environment—is calling for even stronger action. They want UEFA to make sustainable travel a requirement, not a request.
Their proposal is simple but impactful: if a team’s destination can be reached in under six hours by train, they should take the train. If the journey is within a certain range, they should take a coach. Exceptions could be made for outliers—like Iceland, which is geographically isolated—but the overall result would be massive.
The numbers don’t lie. According to the campaign’s scenario modelling:
A 15% emissions reduction could be achieved if all teams with rail journeys under six hours travelled by train. An 84% reduction could be possible if all teams—excluding Iceland—committed to avoiding flights entirely.
That’s not just a dent in the tournament’s carbon footprint. It’s a seismic shift.
And teams are listening. The French women’s team, for instance, has updated its travel policy to increase the threshold below which it will no longer fly. This kind of initiative shows that a strong internal culture of sustainability can lead to real, measurable changes.
A Tournament Designed for Low-Impact Travel
Switzerland, known for its efficient rail network and commitment to green policies, makes an ideal host for a low-carbon sporting event. Recognizing the challenges of moving 16 teams around a mountainous country, UEFA has proactively created two geographical clusters. These groupings are designed to reduce travel distances and emissions, while still offering high-quality venues and competition parity.
In addition, every team is guaranteed a minimum of three rest days between matches, which means they can afford the slightly longer travel times by train or coach without affecting performance or recovery.
These logistical adjustments demonstrate that sustainability doesn’t have to be a trade-off. It can be part of the tournament’s DNA, built right into the schedule and geography.
Why This Matters Beyond the Pitch
For all the progress made in the women’s game—greater visibility, better sponsorships, growing fanbases—there’s another front where it continues to lead: responsibility. Women’s football has long been a quieter, more conscious version of the sport. And in 2025, it’s showing that again—by choosing environmental responsibility over shortcuts.
Aiza Rodrigues Akhtar puts it best:
“Having a strong travel policy asking teams to travel by coach or rail when the destination is below a certain distance or duration is not wishful thinking. It rewards those teams already taking decisive steps, while sending a clear message to football supporters all over the world.”
This isn’t just about transport. It’s about leadership. It’s about turning sports into a platform for progress—where performance and planet can thrive side by side.
Looking Ahead: Could EURO 2025 Be a Blueprint?
With the world watching, Women’s EURO 2025 might end up achieving something far more valuable than lifting a trophy. It could show the global sporting community that climate-conscious decisions are not only possible—they’re powerful.
By choosing trains over planes, players are making a quiet but firm declaration: the future of football isn’t just faster. It’s smarter.
And that future begins in Switzerland this July.
EURO 2025 Quick Facts:
Dates: 2 July – 27 July 2025 Host Country: Switzerland Teams Participating: 16 Confirmed Teams Using Sustainable Travel: Germany, Portugal, Belgium, France, Netherlands Venues: 8, arranged in 2 travel-optimized clusters Minimum Rest Days Between Matches: 3 Organizational Strategy: UEFA ESG Strategy (Environmental, Social and Governance) Key Advocacy Group: Transport & Environment (leading the ‘Travel Smart’ campaign)
Switzerland may be known for neutrality, but in EURO 2025, it’s hosting a battle worth waging—one between tradition and transformation. And this time, sustainability is winning.