daniel chigunwe
World Rugby today published a landmark report looking at the projected impacts of climate change on the sport of rugby in an effort to raise awareness of the issue that is already affecting the game as whole.
With the world heating up and likely heading towards a 1,5-degree increase in global average temperatures by 2026, the study demonstrates that consequences on rugby’s practice and ecosystems are significant and will continue to deteriorate in the coming decades.
Heat waves will continue to affect athlete performance and spectator health.
Droughts will more frequently affect turf pitches, while submersions from flooding and/or sea-level rise will increasingly impact infrastructure.
World Rugby has therefore used climate projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), interviews with experts and data from 10 of its member unions to compile the “Rugby and climate change” report, a study looking at six main climate hazards that impact both directly and indirectly the sport, its athletes, spectators, infrastructure, and pitches to evaluate the likely implications for rugby.
While varying from one climate region to another, the projected consequences of a world with +2°C involve overall:
Surge in number of extreme heat days (temperatures exceeding 35°C) per year in all nations studied with 60 percent of them having ten or more additional days when rugby can’t be played.
Increase in frequency and intensity of droughts for half the nations studied.
Rise in both the occurrence and severity of heavy rainfall and flash floods for 80 percent of countries analysed.
One in 10 of the major stadiums researched worldwide will be exposed to an annual submersion risk.
One third of the stadiums investigated (111 venues) are in cyclone zones and will face amplifications of wind and cyclone activity.
Most climate regions considered will experience periods of increased humidity, at levels that will cause additional heat-related suffering for athletes, officials and spectators.
To go further, authors have also undertaken an in-depth analysis of impacts for 10 countries representative of World Rugby’s membership including Argentina, Australia (Rugby World Cups 2027 & 29 hosts), England (RWC 2025), Fiji, France, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, and USA (RWCs 2031 & 33).
For each nation, the main consequences are highlighted per climate region(s) with projected repercussions in a +2°C and +3°C scenario.
This endeavour falls into World Rugby’s Environmental Sustainability Plan 2030 and its fourth pillar committing to promote sustainability in rugby through education, advocacy and knowledge sharing.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said “This report aims to answer some of the key questions around climate change by extrapolating the available scientific evidence and peer-reviewed studies and applying them in the context of rugby participation.
It is my sincere hope that the findings contained in this landmark study will not only raise awareness within our rugby family but also serve as a catalyst for collective action at all levels of the game; and that its recommendations will inspire initiatives that foster sustainable practices, mitigation, adaptation, and resilience within our sport.”
Australian senator and former international rugby player David Pocock added: “What this report powerfully shows is that tackling climate change is not a ‘nice to have’.
“It cannot be an issue we tack on as an afterthought. Climate change is an existential threat to the game we love.
“As you read this report, you’ll find that no part of our sport will remain untouched under these two-degree plus scenarios. ( . . .) I hope this report will ensure the minds of those responsible for governing our game are turned to focus on this challenge. We cannot sit on the sidelines any longer, we all have a role to play.” — worldrugby
Bongani Ndlovu