EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. – As the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches, stadiums are sharpening their focus on fan experience, knowing that comfort, cleanliness and convenience play a critical role in how supporters remember a match day. At the same time, venues are working to meet newly strengthened sustainability standards covering everything from construction materials and LED lighting to zero-carbon operations, waste reduction and certified green building practices like LEED. Excel Dryer, Inc. is underscoring one area that can improve both fan satisfaction and sustainability performance immediately: the stadium restroom.
Under FIFA’s guidelines, venues are encouraged to reduce single-use materials, lower carbon emissions, source sustainable products and operate more efficiently. High-efficiency hand dryers such as the XLERATOR®, ThinAir® and XLERATORsync® support these goals by eliminating the need for paper towels entirely. As a result, carbon emissions drop by up to 94 percent, and waste reduction helps stadiums meet green building and zero-landfill targets while lowering ongoing operational costs.
Excel Dryer’s recent international study with MetrixLab found that hygiene remains the top global concern, with overflowing paper bins viewed as the leading cause of a dirty restroom. These conditions can quickly erode fan confidence and detract from the overall venue experience.
“When large venues transition to high-efficiency hand dryers, they not only support FIFA’s sustainability framework but also address one of the biggest drivers of guest dissatisfaction,” said William Gagnon, executive vice president & COO at Excel Dryer. “It’s a small upgrade that delivers visible climate action.”
To assist stadiums preparing for 2026, Excel Dryer is offering a no-cost trial of XLERATOR technology, including free custom covers designed with team branding or World Cup-inspired graphics to all national and college stadiums and arenas. This allows facilities to evaluate performance, hygiene and sustainability benefits in real-world use.
As global attention builds toward 2026, venues are using smarter, more sustainable restroom operations to demonstrate environmental leadership while delivering a cleaner, more enjoyable experience for fans.