Consequences of exploiting renewable energy sources in football stadiums

This study aimed to identify the consequences of exploiting renewable energy sources in football stadiums. The present study was qualitative research, and the qualitative content analysis method was used to analyze the data. The statistical population of the present study included experts in sustainable development, managers, and technical engineers of the stadiums where the Iranian Football Premier League was held in the years 1398 to 1399 Iran. Access to research samples was done by purposeful sampling method and then continued by snowball method. Finally, after conducting interviews with 12 people, theoretical saturation was obtained. After collecting and analyzing the interviews, 44 open codes were obtained, divided into ten pivotal categories. Finally, from the obtained categories, three concepts of environmental management (pivotal categories of reducing environmental risks, managing energy resources, managing pollution, and improving energy consumption patterns), Improving the social and cultural situation (pivotal categories of improving social attitudes, the quality of welfare services and urban beautification), improving economic status(pivotal categories of Reducing organizational costs, promoting the brand of the stadium, generating organizational income) were obtained. Finally, considering the environmental crises in the world, such as water and energy crises, air pollution in megacities, and the effects of sports on the environment and vice versa, it is suggested that the government, policymakers, and sports managers provide the necessary grounds for exploitation of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy in football stadiums, take positive actions for sustainable development and carbon-free sports.