Udinese set to become UEFA’s first club to trial sustainability manual

At the crack of dawn, Bluenergy Stadium in Udine hums with the whir of solar panels while a fleet of bicycles lines the pitch, signalling Udinese’s new focus on off‑field impact as much as on‑field performance for the club’s ambitious sustainability drive.

The Serie A side will face Cagliari on Saturday in a match billed as a test of the new Football Event Sustainability Manual. The game will serve as a benchmark for how the club implements greener practices in future fixtures. Both teams will compete under the same sustainability framework. The fixture also forms part of Udinese’s push for a third straight season of climbing the Serie A table.

First club to apply UEFA manual

In partnership with UEFA, Udinese becomes the first club to use the Football Event Sustainability Manual during a soccer match. The manual outlines standards for waste reduction, energy use and fan travel, and the club plans to publish the results as a template for others. UEFA hopes the experiment will accelerate greener policies across Europe. The initiative marks a historic step for European football.

Stadium and renewable energy lead

Udinese already ranks highly in sustainability indexes, thanks in part to Bluenergy Stadium’s solar array. The panels feed power to the Energy in Campo renewable‑energy community, the first of its kind in Italian soccer. The initiative demonstrates how stadium infrastructure can underpin broader environmental goals. Such measures underline the club’s commitment to long‑term ecological stewardship.

Fashion partnership and fan initiatives

Club executive Magda Pozzo explained that a fashion movement six years ago inspired the club to use soccer as a platform for sustainable messages. Three years ago Udinese launched a project with the Fashion Trust in Milan, giving an emerging designer the task of creating the third kit. The collaboration offers a unique look while supporting young talent. Similar fashion‑driven sustainability efforts have appeared in Major League Soccer, showing a global trend.

"It’s not only about making the practices available but also about having the data and monitoring the practices," Pozzo said. She added that the club now seeks precise feedback to decide which measures to keep. This data‑driven approach aims to turn enthusiasm into measurable results.

For viewers on Paramount+, the pre‑match ceremony will feature bicycles escorting children onto the field, highlighting a push for fans to travel by bike. Designated buses will be provided for those unable to cycle. The matchday menu will expand vegan and vegetarian options and source all food locally, leaving no stone unturned. Similar bike‑friendly initiatives have been showcased at clubs worldwide.

The fixture is scheduled for Saturday, 19 September, with kickoff at 9 a.m. Eastern Time at Bluenergy Stadium in Udine. The game will be streamed live on Paramount+. Betting odds list Udinese at +125, Cagliari at +230 and a draw at +230.

If the sustainability trial proves successful, its findings could shape how clubs across Europe source materials and manage events. Udinese will release the data after the match, offering a template for future eco‑friendly football.