Sports for People and Planet 2026

Environmental breakdown as an operational and financial risk for sport Environmental risks, driven by climate change and nature loss, dominate the global risk landscape for the coming decade, and represent an escalating operational and financial threat to the sports economy.44 Global risks ranked by severity over the short and long term FIGURE 17 Settings for sport and physical activity FIGURE 18Economic Risk categories Environmental Geopolitical Societal TechnologicalGeoeconomic confrontation Misinformation and disinformation Societal polarization Extreme weather events State-based armed con flict Cyber insecurity Inequality Erosion of human rights and/or of civic freedoms Pollution Involuntary migration or displacement1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.Extreme weather events Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse Critical change to Earth systems Misinformation and disinformation Adverse outcomes of AI technologies Natural resource shortages Inequality Cyber insecurity Societal polarization Pollution 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.Short term (2 years) Long term (10 years)"Please estimate the likely impact (severity) of the following risks over a 2-year and 10-year period." Settings for sport and physical activity (non exhaustive) On the water (e.g. rowing, kayaking) In the water (e.g. open water swimming Winter/snow-based (e.g. ski) Summer alpine (e.g. hiking, climbing, mountain biking) Outdoor arena – field/pitch (e.g. football, rugby, cricket) Specialized outdoor venue (e.g. motorsport, golf)Court sports (e.g. basketball) Specialized indoor venues (e.g. swimming, ice hockey)Endurance activities (e.g. cycling, running)Indoor venueRoad Outdoor venueMountain Water Source: World Economic Forum analysisSource: World Economic Forum Global Risks Perception Survey 2025-2026 Sports for People and Planet 19