FC Porto Museum and Dragão lead the way in football sustainability 🌍 | OneFootball

The FC Porto Museum and the Estádio do Dragão have obtained the Silver Certification from EarthCheck, becoming the first football-related tourist attractions worldwide to achieve this level of international sustainability certification.

This recognition marks a significant milestone for FC Porto, the city of Porto, the Northern Region, and sustainable tourism on a global scale. The certification was granted after a rigorous evaluation process, developed over approximately a year, in close cooperation with IPDT – Institute of Tourism Planning and Development, which provided specialized technical support at every stage.

The official diploma award ceremony took place at the Estádio do Dragão and was attended by Melissa Hamilton, Principal Consultant at EarthCheck, who, on behalf of the organization, presented the certificate to João Borges, vice-president and director of FC Porto.

Melissa Hamilton’s visit to Porto coincided with the ICCA Congress, also held at the Estádio do Dragão, further reinforcing the international recognition of these iconic sports infrastructures for their sustainability.

The awarding of the Silver Seal resulted from a demanding and transparent process, which included the collection and analysis of quantitative data, evaluation of qualitative criteria, and an independent external audit. This validation demonstrates the alignment of the FC Porto Museum and the Estádio do Dragão with high ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards and with best international practices.

The success of this process was the result of the work of the FC Porto Group’s Sustainability team and coordination between various operational areas. Key factors included the implementation of a solid sustainability policy, the execution of concrete social responsibility actions, investment in energy and water efficiency, and the promotion of innovative accessibility and inclusion projects. “FC Porto achieves another important milestone in its history: the pioneering certification in the sector of the FC Porto Museum and the Estádio do Dragão as sustainable tourist attractions. This reflects our commitment to a more responsible future, both on and off the pitch. We believe it is possible to combine sporting excellence with leadership in sustainability, and this distinction proves we are on the right path. We are deeply proud of this result, as it formally recognizes one of our enduring characteristics: the constant pursuit of excellence, with responsibility and a vision for the future,” said João Borges.

The FC Porto Museum and the Estádio do Dragão establish themselves as world-class tourist attractions by combining sports, culture, heritage, and innovation. In 2025, they were recognized by the World Travel Awards as the Best Football Stadium Experience in Portugal and represent the country as affiliate members of the World Tourism Organization. Additionally, they are part of the board of the Porto and Northern Portugal Tourism Association (ATPNP).

This is yet another moment of celebration for the rigor, work, and vision for the future that have transformed the FC Porto Museum and the Estádio do Dragão into sustainable tourist attractions certified by EarthCheck. “This is another great moment of celebration. I believe we can celebrate the rigor, work, and vision for the future that have transformed the FC Porto Museum and the Estádio do Dragão into sustainable tourist attractions certified by EarthCheck. Our mission, as a museum, is to collect, study, and share history, but we have always seen the FC Porto Museum as a source of inspiration when thinking about the future. To those who visit us, we hope you take away a message: that it is possible to be competitive, innovative, and exemplary without losing the essence that defines us. This is, therefore, a moment of pride for all FC Porto supporters,” says Mafalda Magalhães, director of the FC Porto Museum.

The EarthCheck certification consolidates a path already established by the FC Porto Group in terms of organizational sustainability, a commitment that began in 2007 with the implementation of an integrated quality and environmental management system (ISO 9001 and ISO 14001), reinforced by the Club’s Sustainability Strategy and by being the first sports organization in Portugal and Europe to obtain EMAS certification (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme).

Teresa Santos, FC Porto’s Sustainability Director, highlights the impact of this new stage in the Club’s affirmation in this area: “When we started this process, we knew the challenge would be demanding. EarthCheck certification is internationally recognized as one of the most rigorous in the field of sustainability applied to tourism and organizations. We approached this challenge with method, commitment, and conviction, knowing that sustainability is part of our winning identity.”

EarthCheck is an Australian organization, globally recognized in benchmarking and scientific certification of sustainability for the tourism sector. Since 1987, it has worked with destinations and companies worldwide, supporting the transition to sustainable management models based on credible and verified metrics. The EarthCheck Certified program for Businesses is globally recognized by the GSTC and applied in more than 70 countries, being one of the most demanding international benchmarks in sustainability.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.