SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers and Super Bowl LVI has been awarded ISO 20121:2012 Event Sustainability Management System certification in February just days before the championship game. This is the second time in NFL history, also second year in a row, the championship team won within their home stadium, but also the first time in history the host stadium was ISO 20121 certified. The Rams’ game-winning drive and the defensive stance down the stretch may have been fueled by players making big plays at big moments, however green sports enthusiasts are fueled by the fact the stadium was on full display hoping to create a ripple effect of live event hosts consciously operating with the environment in mind.

“This ISO achievement builds on our commitment to sustainable operations across Hollywood Park, including SoFi Stadium, YouTube Theater and American Airlines Plaza,” said Jason Gannon Managing Director, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park.

ISO 20121 was first introduced and designed for the 2012 London Olympic Games providing a management blueprint for organizations to address the “triple bottom line” of sustainability focusing on the economic, environmental and social impacts of their events.  Based on a proven range of management standards, such as ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management) including a Plan-Do-Check- Act approach, the standard supports users’ targets and action plans while monitoring and measuring steps taken to benefit internal processes and external stakeholders.  The key component of the standard is the development of a continuous improvement plan, which is implemented, analyzed and modified to achieve ever-increasing standards of performance.  Applicable to exhibitions, sporting competitions and concerts enhancing communications, processes and operations, ISO 20121 allows a commitment to sustainability in a globally recognized manner.

Honeycomb Strategies was instrumental in developing the strategy and compliance with the ISO framework for SoFi Stadium.  “Since SoFi Stadium’s official opening, Honeycomb Strategies has supported the team in the development and implementation of industry leading sustainability best-practices,” said Tim Trefzer, Program Manager for Honeycomb Strategies.  “By engaging key stakeholders and focusing on material impacts, the SoFi Stadium program is both comprehensive and allows for continual improvement year after year.”  SoFi Stadium is now the second NFL venue to receive ISO 20121 certification, as well as the second NFL venue Honeycomb Strategies had an integral part of facilitating the framework behind Lincoln Financial Field’s 2018 certification and recertification in 2022. 

With both SoFi Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field continually improving their operations by focusing on key stakeholders and environmental impact, one can only wonder if this sustainability in sports tidal wave will infiltrate more venues and which will be next – regardless, Honeycomb Strategies will be here to support and hopefully continue fueling the changing tides.