NFL Stadiums Could Sustain $11B in Climate-Related Losses by 2050
Stadiums located on the coasts are more vulnerable to climate-related risks.
Flooding, wildfires and storm surges could cost NFL stadiums $11 billion in cumulative losses by 2050, according to a report from climate risk analysis firm Climate X. Because stadiums are more than sports venues – functioning also as economic and community hubs – the damage could lead to significant costs, higher insurance premiums and economic disruption.
Each of the 30 stadiums is ranked by a total loss percentage that compares projected climate-related damages to the stadium’s current replacement value. If a stadium worth $1 billion has a total loss percentage of 1.5% per annum, it would incur approximately $400 million in projected damages by 2050, or close to 40% of its current replacement value,
New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium topped the list of most vulnerable stadiums with the potential to sustain cumulative damage exceeding $5.6 billion by 2050, or 184% of its value. Its low elevation and exposure to surface flooding and storm surges pushed it to the top of the list.
On the other side of the country, SoFi Stadium in California is expected to suffer cumulative losses of $4.38 billion, or 69% of its value, primarily due to increased surface flooding risks in an urban coastal environment. State Farm Stadium in Arizona is estimated to experience a 39% total loss, with $965 million in cumulative damages due to increased flooding risks in a high-heat, and arid climate.
Less vulnerable, according to the report, are Lumen Field in Seattle and Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Lumen Field benefits from a lower temperate climate and limited exposure to extreme heat events, while Lambeau Field’s non-coastal location shields it from a variety of hazards.
“This report is a wake-up call for the NFL, stadium owners, and local governments,” said Lukky Ahmed, CEO and founder of Climate X. “The stadiums most at risk are looking at significant financial and operational challenges. At the same time, some stadiums show resilience, proving that strategic adaptation can make a difference.”