When disaster strikes, where do people go? Time and again, communities have turned to the most unexpected places for safety: their football stadiums.

In Valencia, a stadium became a shelter after severe flooding. In Warsaw, the Polish National Stadium turned into a temporary hospital. After earthquakes in Mexico City and hurricanes in New Orleans, stadiums became lifelines: places where people find light, water and shelter. Place where life can continue and a coordinated response can be put in place. 

Among those who struggle most in these moments are disabled people. They are often the last to be considered, and the first to face barriers when systems break down.

That’s why Lifeline Stadiums, an international initiative aiming to transform football arenas into humanitarian hubs, has joined forces with AccessibAll, a global leader in stadium accessibility, and GBGE (Global Brigades for Groundwork in Emergencies), an organisation specialised in emergency management and large volunteer mobilisation. Together, they aim to ensure that stadiums everywhere can become safe, inclusive, and ready to respond within 24 hours when crisis hits.

“Refugee crises, environmental disasters, wars - these can make us feel hopeless, like something far beyond our control,” says David Leal García, Founder of Lifeline Stadiums. “But we’re not powerless. By preparing together, we can make sure fewer people are affected, and that everyone, including disabled people, is protected.”

From Football to First Response

Throughout history, football arenas have been more than just fields of play. They have hosted families who lost their homes, distributed food and blankets, and provided a sense of safety when chaos reigned outside.

The Lifeline Stadiums initiative, together with AccessibAll and GBGE, seeks to move from improvisation to intention, turning spontaneous acts of solidarity into planned, inclusive preparedness.

“Stadiums already have what communities need in an emergency: strong infrastructure, central locations, and space,” affirms Olivier Jarosz, CEO of AccessibAll. “But their humanitarian role has always been improvised. It’s time we plan for it, with accessibility, safety, and community at the heart.”

GBGE will play a central operational role in piloting and testing this model, drawing from its field experience in managing large-scale volunteer deployments and emergency responses across Europe and beyond. 

“In the words of Álvaro Sáiz, Founder of GBGE and Head of Humanitarian Operations: “Our experience in humanitarian emergencies shows that preparedness and early coordination are essential. On the day of the disaster, it’s already too late to improvise. We believe the future lies in using civil infrastructures (such as stadiums and sports facilities) to protect the most vulnerable and ensure a swift and effective response.”

Building an Inclusive Framework for Preparedness

As part of the Lifeline Stadiums global initiative, the partners will develop a practical framework to help clubs, stadium operators, and local authorities prepare their venues for emergency use.

Rather than a rigid set of rules, it will be a living resource built from real experiences, expert input, and community insight.

Key priorities include:

• Training stewards and staff to assist disabled fans and vulnerable people during evacuations.

• Connecting Disability Access Officers (DAOs) with emergency and civil protection networks.

• Designing rapid-conversion plans to turn parts of stadiums into safe, accessible shelters.
  
  

A Call to Clubs, Cities, and Fans

The message is simple: football can help save lives.

Lifeline Stadiums, AccessibAll, and GBGE are inviting clubs, city authorities, and fans to join a growing global effort to build resilience together.

“Football has always been more than a game,” Olivier added. “If our stadiums can hold 50,000 fans in joy, they can hold hundreds or even thousands of neighbours in safety.”

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About the Partners

Lifeline Stadiums

Lifeline Stadiums is an international initiative founded and led by David Leal García which seeks to transform football stadiums into humanitarian hubs in times of crisis, promoting inclusive preparedness and rapid response planning so that stadiums can serve as safe havens when disaster strikes.

AccessibAll

AccessibAll is a global non-profit dedicated to making sport accessible for everyone. In partnership with UEFA, FIFA, and national federations, it supports clubs through training, certification, and advocacy to create inclusive matchday experiences and safer stadiums for all.

GBGE – Global Brigades for Groundwork in Emergencies

GBGE is a Spain-based humanitarian organisation specialised in managing large-scale emergency operations and volunteer mobilisation. From refugee coordination in Greece and Ukraine to inclusive disaster response in Turkiye, La Palma, and Valencia, GBGE brings hands-on experience in transforming solidarity into action.