GOAL Medals Ceremony
The GOAL Medals Ceremony is an invitation-only, annual celebration recognizing verified progress across the GOAL Medals framework and the people helping move sports and live entertainment forward.
2026 GOAL Medals Ceremony
Midtown Manhattan
Past Event Example
Event at a Glance
This year, GOAL showcased the GOAL Medals during one of the world’s most important weeks for climate action.
Held during Deloitte HORIZONS Climate Week programming, the third annual GOAL Medals Ceremony recognized 23 organizations for actions across the GOAL Medals framework, spanning environmental performance, social impact, governance, engagement, and partnerships.
The evening brought together the GOAL community and special guests from across sport and sustainability for the Green Carpet, the presentation of GOAL Medals and Tiers, special awards, and conversations exploring the influence the industry can have beyond the walls of its venues.
The GOAL Green Carpet
Sustainable Style, Celebrated
The GOAL Green Carpet invited attendees to bring sustainability into the celebration through personal style.
Across the evening, guests arrived in re-worn favorites, rented and thrifted pieces, responsibly produced garments, and creative examples of repair and upcycling.
The Green Carpet demonstrated that there is no single definition of sustainable fashion. Instead, it offered a playful way to show how creativity and thoughtful choices can extend the life of clothing and materials while still dressing for the occasion.
There’s only so much a photo recap can capture.
Special Guests
Meet Your Host: David Garrido
Sports broadcaster and sustainability advocate David Garrido served as host of the 2026 GOAL Medals Ceremony, guiding the GOAL community through an evening of conversation, recognition, and celebration.
Legacy of Impact Award: Jasmyne Spencer
Professional soccer veteran and Jas It Up founder Jasmyne Spencer received the 2026 Legacy of Impact Award, recognizing the impact she continues to make through sport, advocacy, education, and sustainable fashion. Jasmyne also joined Katharine Hayhoe and Lucas Leiva for an on-stage conversation about using the influence of sport to inspire action.
Special Guest: Dr. Katharine Hayhoe
Atmospheric scientist, Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy, and author Dr. Katharine Hayhoe joined the GOAL Medals Ceremony to moderate a conversation exploring sport, sustainability, influence, and the ability of individual platforms to create meaningful change.
Special Guest: Lucas Leiva
Liverpool FC legend Lucas Leiva joined the GOAL community to share his perspective on the influence of sport and the role athletes and organizations can play in advancing sustainability.
Special Awards presented by:
About the GOAL Medals
The GOAL Medals Program is the live event industry’s only sustainability recognition system built specifically for venues. It recognizes measurable achievements in sustainable operations and establishes a clear, practical standard for what meaningful progress looks like.
Each GOAL Medal represents a verified action taken to reduce environmental impact, strengthen operations, or support community well-being. Together, the Medals recognize the breadth of impact taking place across sports and entertainment, including work that can often go unrecognized by traditional certifications.
Check out past GOAL Medals Ceremonies
Providing platform for leaders from a variety of roles to share their experiences and insight
Recognizing member achievements across GOAL’s 10 sustainable medals categories
An evening celebrating sustainability efforts across the network in unique venues