Reducing the carbon footprint of spectator and team travel at the University of British Columbia's varsity sports events

•We examine the carbon footprint of travel for small-scale varsity sports events.•We apply an LCA-based carbon footprint approach to refine methodology for events.•Car occupancy rates for event spectators were higher than industry average rates.•4% of out-of-town spectators constituted 52% of total spectator footprint.•Targeting long distance travel is the most effective way to reduce GHG emissions.The carbon footprint of spectator and team travel was analyzed at small-scale varsity sports events held at the University of British Columbia. Sport management literature suggests a need for quantitative environmental impact studies of events, in particular to seek out transport footprint reduction opportunities. This study applies a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)-based approach to increase methodological rigour and transparency. We analyze travel patterns of spectators and teams and put forward several scenarios for impact reduction. Results show that UBC spectators had a smaller footprint than teams on a per person basis but a larger overall carbon footprint. Although only 4% of the spectators travelled by air, this constituted 52% of total spectator impact. We find the biggest opportunities for footprint reductions by spectators and teams alike are strategies that (a) reduce long-distance air travel, (b) increase vehicle occupancy rates, and (c) encourage low-emission travel mode choices.