Green Games
Certification Protocol
The Green Games Certification Protocol defines the requirements, criteria, and procedures used to assess the sustainability of sport events. It provides a structured framework that helps organisers measure, improve, and demonstrate their environmental, social, and economic impact.
Who is this for?
This protocol applies to a wide range of sport events, from small local activities to large international competitions, ensuring that sustainability standards are accessible and adaptable to different formats.
Competitive events
Organised competitions such as tournaments, leagues, or championships where athletes compete for rankings or titles.
Mass participation events
Open events designed for large numbers of participants, like marathons, cycling events, or community sports activities.
Multi-sport events
Events that include multiple sport disciplines, often held over several days, such as regional or international games.
Certification Scope
Certification is awarded to individual event editions, not organisations.
Core Concepts
To ensure clarity and consistency, the protocol uses the following key definitions:
Event
A sport activity with defined start and end dates, location(s), and participant structure.
Event Edition
A single occurrence of an event. For recurring events, each annual or periodic occurrence constitutes a separate edition.
Organiser
The entity or entities responsible for planning, delivering, and managing the event, and the applicant.
Sustainability Coordinator
The individual designated with primary responsibility for sustainability
planning and implementation within the event organisation.
Stakeholder Groups
One of five defined groups: Administration, Organisers, Volunteers, Participants, and Local Community, each of which must be covered in the self-assessment.
Self-Assessment
The process by which an organiser completes the Green Games indicator checklist and
submits evidence via the platform, without third-party audit.
How events are categorised
Events are classified based on size and audience dynamics to ensure that certification expectations remain fair, realistic, and proportional. We do not classify events by budget.
By Scale
Events are categorised by the number of participants into five groups: micro (under 100 participants), small (100-500 participants), medium (501–5,000 participants), large (5,001 – 50,000), very large (over 50,000 participants).
By Duration
Events are categorised by duration into three groups: single-day events (1 day), multi-day events (2 to 7 days), and extended events (more than 7 days).
By Format
Events are categorised by format into three types: single-sport (one sport discipline), multi-sport (multiple disciplines), and league/series (a sequence of connected events).
Ready to certify your event?
The scheme operates on a pass-or-fail system for all applicable requirements. There are no percentages, weights, or arbitrary score-trading. You either meet the standard, or you don’t.
Level 1: Green Games Recognised / Level 2: Green Games Certified
- Goal: Establish a strong baseline / For events ready to measure and systematically reduce their impact.
- Requirements: Meet the “Ten Essentials” / Plus 5 additional requirements
- Evidence: A simple declaration, supported by 6 light uploads / A calculated carbon footprint using the free Sport Go Green Calculator
Post-Event Confirmation
Complete Your Post-Event Confirmation
Certification under the Green Games Scheme is a two-step process. Your pre-event application grants you a provisional certification so you can promote your event’s commitment. To finalise your certification and lock in your Green Games Seal, you must submit your Post-Event Confirmation form within 30 days of your event’s conclusion.
What You Need to Report
The post-event confirmation is a short, straightforward form on our platform. You will need to provide:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is certification free?
Yes. The Green Games certification platform is provided free of charge to all event organisers. There are no application fees, certification fees, or charges for the automatic form check.
Does my event need to be large to qualify?
No. This protocol applies to sport events of all types and sizes. Level 1 is specifically designed for micro, small, and medium events.
Does certification apply to recurring events?
Certification is granted to specific event editions, not to organising bodies. Each edition of a recurring event requires separate certification, though streamlined renewal procedures apply for events that maintain standards.
When is a paid sustainability coordinator necessary?
A paid position is only required for Large and Very Large events (over 5,000 participants) that are applying for Level 2 certification.