How Climate Change Is Disrupting Outdoor Sports and Events Worldwide

Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are affecting outdoor sports more than ever before. Major events may be cancelled or delayed due to extreme and unpredictable weather conditions.

Climate change poses a threat to venues and could postpone popular sporting events, resulting in significant financial losses.

Climate change, particularly rising temperatures, is also affecting athletes’ performance. Hot, humid conditions make it challenging for them to train outdoors and pose a health risk.

The British Journal of Sports Medicine published a detailed report on the risks associated with heat. This report outlines the potential health risks athletes may face when exposed to extreme temperatures.

It highlights how high heat can impair their performance and increase the risk of heat stroke, especially on days when temperatures exceed 40°C. 

From the Swiss Alps to Australia, the World Economic Forum article listed six ways climate change is affecting outdoor sports worldwide.

First, in 2024, during the Paris Olympics, it was confirmed that the year was the warmest on record, with temperatures approximately 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Two years later, during the Winter Olympics in February 2026, the impact of climate change became evident as the event had to rely more on artificial snow. Additionally, the competitions were spread over an extensive area of 22,000 km², making it the most widespread Games in Olympic history, according to the International Olympic Committee.

Second, the 2026 Australian Open saw some matches moved indoors due to temperatures approaching 40°C. During the 2025 China tournaments, players also reported dizziness and other heat-related issues. At ATP Tour events in 2026, athletes are allowed 10-minute cooling breaks to reduce the risk of heat stress. Measures like heat‑stress scales, cooling breaks, and schedule changes are becoming as integral to major tennis events as seedings and draws, the article notes.

Third, the Tour de France, which has traditionally been held over 23 days in July since 1903, could be moved to cooler months.

Fourth, skiing is also being affected as temperatures continue to rise: snow is melting at an alarming rate, snowpack thickness has been decreasing by 12% per decade, and the length of the snow season is decreasing by about 0.44 days per year. In recent years, around 186 French ski resorts have closed permanently, and by 2025, 265 ski stations in Italy had been abandoned.

Fifth, high temperatures are prompting location moves, cancellations, or schedule changes for marathons and long-distance races due to risks to human life.  This negative impact on races is projected to get worse in the future.

Lastly, worsening air quality due to wildfire haze is causing games to be rescheduled or cancelled, including professional basketball (NBA), Major League Baseball, the Women’s National Basketball Association, and the National Women’s Soccer League.

The article notes that climate adaptation measures are vital to protecting athletes, supporters, and sport itself as extreme weather events become more frequent. Many are already adapting to a new normal to preserve their sport and what it means for the community and sportsmanship for generations of fans to come (Here are 6 ways, 2026).

Additionally, the WEF report, Sports for People and Planet, warns that climate change is reducing the number of countries that could host the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in 2040 to 10 due to reduced snowfall.