When 80,000 fans pour into Allianz Stadium, everything has to run like clockwork. From super-premium hospitality suites to 40+ food units and 75 bars, the match day experience is all about efficiency, quality and fan experience. The red thread that sits underneath all of this? Environmental impact - and the team at Allianz Stadium go way beyond the try line to make sure that their impact is always considered.

Allianz Stadium, home of England Rugby, is now setting the pace for sustainable sport in the UK. And behind the scenes, they’ve been quietly transforming their packaging systems in collaboration with Notpla and Levy, first with game-changing seaweed-lined trays and boxes, then with a naturally disappearing chip fork and - most recently - with an inspired take on the all-important drinks carrier.

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A UK-first for sport

Launched at England XV v France XV in June 2025, Allianz Stadium became the first major UK venue to pilot a fully plastic-free drinks carrier, with a truly one-of-a-kind design.

Inspired by the shape of a rugby ball and co-designed to meet the unique demands of stadium service, the carrier offers fans a smooth and convenient way to carry pints - without the plastic.

What could’ve taken months was delivered in just weeks thanks to a tight-knit collaboration between Notpla and Allianz Stadium’s operational team.

“We did the numbers - we’re talking about nearly 400,000 carriers per season. So we made contact with Notpla, took a collaborative approach, and launched in record time. Everyone was working to that one goal.” -  Gary Cargill, Director of Catering Services, Allianz Stadium

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Proving it works under pressure

This wasn’t the first time Allianz Stadium put Notpla to the test.

Following a successful trial of Notpla’s chip forks during the 2024 Guinness Six Nations, the team worked quickly to integrate seaweed-based packaging more broadly – from food trays to cutlery. The results speak for themselves.

• 100,000+ plastic items replaced
  
• 86kg of plastic cut from source
  
• 974kg CO₂e emissions avoided
  
  

“Since incorporating Notpla into the stadium, we’ve massively reduced the amount of single-use plastic we use. We’ve found it performs just as well as plastic – without the long-term harm.” - Sean Lawson, Executive Chef, Allianz Stadium

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What leadership looks like

None of this is about looking good on a sustainability report. It’s about making real changes in places that matter, and doing it in a way that doesn’t interrupt service or compromise on fan experience.

It reflects the expectations of their guests, who increasingly want a match day experience that aligns with their values. It also shows what’s possible when sustainability, innovation and high performance meet.

“We want to be industry leaders. Our fans care about sustainability and so do we. Working with Notpla lets us make practical, visible changes that show real progress - not just promises.” - Gary Cargill, Director of Catering Services, Allianz Stadium

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A blueprint for other stadiums

This partnership proves what’s possible when world-class hospitality meets regenerative design. And with more packaging innovations on the way, the stadium’s impact is set to grow.

Because for venues looking to reduce waste and lead by example, the message is clear: if it works here, it can work anywhere.

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Watch the full Allianz Stadium seaweed switch story...