Where
Football Lives

Football holds communities together. But the places we play and watch the game are under threat from increasingly extreme weather, and so is everything the game gives us.

Together, we can defend those places and keep the game playable for generations to come.

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Where Football Lives exists to protect football’s future by caring for the pitches, communities and places the game depends on.

Football doesn’t just live in stadiums. It lives in our streets and parks, beaches and backyards. These are the everyday spaces where people come together to kick around, connect, and belong.

For millions of us across the country, football — pick-up, local rec leagues, or gathering every weekend to watch your team — is a lifeline.

Football is increasingly threatened by extreme weather

When football is disrupted, it’s not just the game we lose. It’s our friends, our weekly run-out, the routines and relationships that give us a sense of belonging – all tied to the places where we play the game we love.

Flooded pitches

Heavy rain washes out fixtures and leaves grounds unplayable, cutting communities off from their football spaces.

Extreme heat

Rising temperatures make matches unsafe, forcing games to be shortened, rescheduled, or canceled.

Smoke and fires

Smoke closes pitches and cancels matches, keeping communities indoors and away from football.

Unhealthy air

Pollution and smoke increase health risks, making football harder and less safe to play.

We can defend where football lives

As fans come together for the biggest moment in football, we can celebrate our game while safeguarding its future. Let’s use the passion and energy of this summer’s football to support clean air, healthy communities, and vibrant spaces everywhere football is played.

Tell us where football lives for you

Every story helps show these places matter — and why they’re worth protecting. Show us where football lives for you and let us know why it matters. Please post your video or photo on Instagram, and tag @_earthfc

Where Football Lives

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Photographer Paul Gilbey captures the impact of climate change on grassroots football

Through striking images, Paul documents how changing weather patterns are affecting local pitches and players nationwide.

min read

Global

The Marshall Islands’ disappearing kit

In the Marshall Islands, football is more than just a game. It is a fight for survival. The island nation, home to just 42,000 people, is battling rising sea levels threatening to wipe it off the map. Now, its football team is using the sport to send a message about climate change, starting with a kit that is vanishing before our eyes.

min read

Keeping football playable

There are practical steps we can take to look after pitch, facilities and the people who use the. From improving drainage and shade, to better managing air quality and heat exposure, these approaches help keep games on and players safe.

Our adaptation toolkit offers clear, actionable guidance to help keep football safe, reliable and open to everyone.

Explore the toolkit (coming soon)