Oct 21, 2024
(NewsNation) — Some of the nation's largest football stadiums could face pricey climate-related challenges by 2050, according to a recent Climate X report. The report evaluated 30 stadiums across the U.S. for their vulnerability to climate hazards like flooding, wildfires, and storm surges. It deemed three stadiums most at risk. Home to the New York Giants and Jets, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is projected to experience the highest total loss percentage from climate threats among all stadiums at 184%, or approximately $5.6 billion in damages. The high figure is primarily due to the stadium’s low elevation and significant exposure to flooding, Climate X noted. Video: Wind tears roof off Tropicana Field, home of the Rays In California, Inglewood's SoFi Stadium, which hosts the Los Angeles Rams, is predicted to see a 69% cumulative loss, with $4.38 billion in damages. The report highlights the increased risk of surface flooding and the stadium's urban coastal environment as the main contributing factors. Rounding out the top three, State Farm Stadium, where the Arizona Cardinals play, is projected to face $965 million in cumulative damages, a 39% total loss. Climate X points to Arizona's high heat, arid climate and increased flooding risks as potential problems for the Glendale venue. A rendering of SoFi Stadium hosting the swimming events at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games. (LA28)State Farm Stadium is decorated ahead of Super Bowl 57 NFL football game Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. The Kansas City Chiefs will play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)The NFL shield is seen at the 50 yard line of MetLife Stadium as the New England Patriots take on the New York Jets during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) The report also emphasized stadiums' importance to local communities, as they often serve as the venue for sports, entertainment and community activities. "Rising climate risks could lead to significant repair costs, higher insurance premiums, and disruptions that would impact not only games but also the local economies that rely on these facilities," the report reads in part. In contrast, both Lumen Field in Seattle and Lambeau Field in Green Bay are expected to face much lower relative losses. The report noted that Lambeau Field's inland location protects it from hazards such as wildfires, cyclones, and storm surges, while Lumen Field benefits from Seattle’s mild climate and reduced exposure to extreme heat. NOAA releases 2024-25 winter weather outlook: Here’s what to expect Lukky Ahmed, Climate X founder and CEO, challenged the league to protect its stadiums. “This report is a wake-up call for the NFL, stadium owners, and local governments,” said Lukky Ahmed, CEO and founder of Climate X, in a statement. “The stadiums most at risk are looking at significant financial and operational challenges ... We hope this analysis sparks proactive steps to protect these key assets and ensure their long-term viability." Climate-related threats to stadiums aren't just a future concern. Though not an NFL venue, Tropicana Field (home to Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays) suffered major damage when Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, tore apart its domed roof earlier this month. According to a World Weather Attribution study, human-caused climate change intensified Milton’s rainfall by 20-30% and boosted wind speeds by about 10%. Without these climate effects, the storm likely would have made landfall as a weaker Category 2, researchers said. Nexstar's Ashleigh Jackson and the Associated Press contributed to this story.
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