FC Porto Museum celebrates one of Europe’s most storied football clubs, offering visitors the chance to experience the trophies, triumphs and legacies that define Futebol Clube do Porto. Its immersive exhibits take guests on a journey through the club’s proud history, including two UEFA Champions League titles, two UEFA Europa League victories, two Intercontinental Cups and a UEFA Super Cup.
The Estádio do Dragão is a modern architectural landmark with capacity for more than 50,000 spectators, reflecting FC Porto’s vision of openness, innovation, and environmental responsibility. Its design integrates seamlessly with the urban landscape, welcoming natural light and airflow that enhance both the fan experience and the connection with the city. The venue regularly hosts major matches and concerts, serving as both a home ground and a civic gathering place.
A game plan for measurable progress
As two of Porto’s leading attractions, the museum and stadium are managed with a strong focus on measuring and improving sustainability performance. This commitment led them to the EarthCheck Certified program, the world’s leading sustainability certification for tourism and destinations.
Since 1987, EarthCheck has worked with governments, businesses and communities worldwide to deliver science-backed, strategic and sustainable outcomes through independent benchmarking and certification.
“Sustainability has always been part of our vision for FC Porto,” says André Villas Boas, President of the FCP Board. “All our work in sustainability has been aligned with EU regulations and internationally recognised programs, enabling us to measure our impact accurately, define clear targets, and continuously improve year after year.”
Having completed the benchmarking process, the museum and stadium have now achieved Silver Certified status, recognising measurable progress across key environmental and social indicators. This achievement is the result of several years of consistent operational focus, strongly supported by the Institute for Tourism Planning and Development (IPDT), whose strategic guidance and technical expertise played a crucial role in reaching this important milestone.
For FC Porto’s leadership, the certification reinforces the club’s responsibility to its community and supporters. “Football connects people in powerful ways,” André Villas Boas says. “Achieving EarthCheck Silver Certification shows that we can use that connection to champion sustainability, on the pitch, in our facilities, and in the wider region we are part of.”
Keeping a clean sheet
Environmental performance is central to FC Porto’s sustainability strategy. The organisation has developed a Decarbonisation Roadmap targeting a 55 per cent reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions by 2030 (from a 2019 baseline), aligned with the Porto Climate Pact.
A range of energy-efficiency initiatives are now in place, including LED lighting, motion sensors, passive solar design and a centralised technical-management system (GTC) that monitors and optimises building performance.
Water use has been significantly reduced through smart irrigation, the replacement of some natural-grass areas with synthetic turf, and the installation of flow reducers. In 2023-24, portable-water consumption averaged just 10.8 liters per customer: less than half the EarthCheck Regional Leader benchmark for comparable attractions.
Sustainable mobility is another area of leadership, with 80 per cent of the organisation’s fleet now low emission (electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid).
Waste management has become more efficient thanks to 14 clearly labelled recycling streams, which have enabled the recycling of over 60 per cent of all waste.
In addition, 5845 kilograms of surplus food were donated to local charities during the 2023-24 season, reinforcing the club’s commitment to zero food waste and community support.
A club for the community
Social inclusion and community engagement are also defining features of FC Porto’s approach to sustainability. The club’s social responsibility initiatives provide educational and cultural opportunities for vulnerable children and families, while the INZONE sensory space at Estádio do Dragão ensures that fans with special needs can fully participate in the match-day experience.
The museum’s educational activities help children understand sustainability through creative reuse projects, turning everyday materials into decorations and objects. Local and fair-trade sourcing is another cornerstone: between 40 and 59 per cent of perishable goods are of national origin, and 60 to 79 per cent of service contracts are awarded locally.
“Being sustainable is part of what it means to be a club for everyone,” says André Villas Boas. “From reducing waste to supporting local suppliers and charities, our goal is to make every decision count for our fans, our city and the environment.”
Strong governance and transparent management also underpin FC Porto’s sustainability performance. The organisation maintains ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and EMAS certifications, with regular internal audits and annual management reviews ensuring ongoing improvement. These systems align with EarthCheck’s science-backed framework for measuring, benchmarking and certifying performance across environmental, social and economic criteria.
For the fans, for the future
EarthCheck Founder and CEO Stewart Moore says FC Porto’s certification demonstrates the growing influence of sustainability in world sport and tourism. He notes that achieving Silver status reflects not only operational excellence, but also a genuine commitment to long-term environmental and social responsibility.
“FC Porto Museum and Estádio do Dragão have shown what leadership looks like when sport and sustainability work together,” he says. “Earning EarthCheck Silver Certification is a clear demonstration of their commitment to measurable action, and an example for other major venues around the world.”
Ongoing benchmarking through the EarthCheck Certified program, along with other certifications held by these attractions, will continue to guide future initiatives and performance targets, helping them inspire both fans and visitors long into the future.
“Achieving Silver Certification gives us confidence to aim even higher,” says André Villas Boas. “It’s proof that what we do today can create a lasting impact for our fans, for Porto, and for the generations who will carry this club forward.”
Find out how the EarthCheck Certified program helps organisations like yours measure, benchmark and continuously improve their sustainability performance.
