News article
Planet League, Ball to drive Arsenal fans’ climate competition
Football fans climate action platform Planet League, sustainable aluminium packaging provider Ball Corporation and Arsenal have joined forces to announce the launch of the English Premier League football club’s first climate action tournament for supporters.
Under the collaboration, Planet League will develop a dedicated green tournament for Arsenal fans with actions and challenges centred on cutting down on waste, reusing, recycling, and switching to aluminium. The tournament is slated to kick off in the spring, with specific dates to be announced in due course.
Fans will have the opportunity to win a range of prizes for completing green actions and inspiring fellow supporters to be more sustainable. As part of the technology platform that will oversee the tournament, a so-called virtual assistant referee (VAR) system will verify green actions taken by supporters.
"The biggest impact football clubs can have on carbon emissions is to mobilise their supporters to take action."
To date, more than 200,000 verified actions have been undertaken by fans on the platform across a number of environmental themes from food waste, travel, waste reduction, recycling and energy efficiency, to switching to plant-based food.
“We’re excited to work with Ball Corporation and Planet League on this project. We have a long history of working with our supporters to drive positive change in their communities around the world, and this platform gives us the opportunity to inspire even more positive action,” said Juliet Slot, Arsenal’s Chief Commercial Officer.
Tom Gribbin, Founder of Planet League, added: “It means a great deal for us to work with Arsenal FC and Ball Corporation. The biggest impact football clubs can have on carbon emissions is to mobilise their supporters to take action. Fans taking climate action is an emerging field and we’re excited to be at the forefront of this. It vitally needs the endorsement of leading clubs like Arsenal and brands like Ball Corporation to get the prominence it merits.”