Published on December 4th, 2025
Location: United Kingdom
Manchester City and Xylem Deliver Sustainability Milestone as Training Complex Runs on Rainwater
Manchester, 4 December 2025 – Long-term partners, Manchester City Football Club and Xylem come together to turn Manchester rain into reusable water for irrigation in groundbreaking sustainability campaign ‘Every Drop Counts' delivered together with SPORTFIVE.
Manchester City Football Club and their long-standing water-technology partner Xylem have today announced that the pair have reached a significant sustainability milestone, as City Football Academy, home to the club’s 16 training pitches, now irrigates exclusively with rainwater.
This innovation eliminates reliance on external water sources, conserves local water supplies, and reduces the club’s environmental footprint
Manchester City and Xylem have partnered since 2018 and have since July 2023 saved an impressive 80 million litres of clean water, enough to fill over 32 Olympic-sized swimming pools or keep a stadium full of fans hydrated for an entire season.
This has been made possible through investments in advanced rainwater harvesting and smart water management. During peak summer days, each natural grass pitch can require more than 23,000 litres daily, making efficient systems essential.
Through their long-standing partnership, Manchester City and Xylem have transformed how rain is collected, treated, and reused throughout Manchester City’s training complex.
Xylem’s advanced systems provide a reliable, high-quality supply for pitch irrigation, helping the Club thrive while protecting resources for the community. Earlier this year, Manchester City began using Xylem Vue, an advanced digital water platform equipped with smart sensors, connected meters, and real-time analytics, to maximise water efficiency.
To celebrate this progress and inspire wider change, Manchester City and Xylem have launched the “Every Drop Counts” campaign, a dynamic initiative highlighting the power of innovation in addressing water scarcity. Featuring Manchester City players John Stones, Rico Lewis, and captain Bernardo Silva, the campaign honours the club’s unique connection to rain and the technologies driving their sustainability mission.
Throughout the 2025-26 season, the “Every Drop Counts” campaign will engage fans and communities, inviting everyone to join the movement for a healthier planet and a stronger future. It’s a celebration of teamwork, ingenuity, and the spirit of Manchester, demonstrating how sports can unite people in protecting what matters most.
We’re incredibly proud of our long-standing partnership with Xylem, where, over the last seven years, we’ve had the pleasure to deliver campaigns that inspire positive change in the world of sport and beyond.
Donna Wilkinson, SPORTFIVE, Account Director
The UK Climate Change Risk Assessment warns that rising demand and climate change could lead to severe water shortages by 2050, with several regions already experiencing water stress. By embracing rainwater harvesting, digital monitoring, and smart water management, Manchester City and Xylem are working together not only to secure the Club’s future but also to support the wider community and set a standard for sustainable water management across sport and beyond.
The Every Drop Counts campaign was delivered together with Global Sports Marketing agency SPORTFIVE.
SPORTFIVE has acted as Xylem's retained activation agency since 2018, having been initially brought onboard to identify an appropriate rightsholder and package in the sporting industry, which would provide Xylem with a global reach and relevance within their sphere.
Building on this, SPORTFIVE has since worked with Xylem to develop and help implement their partnership strategy with City Football Group (CFG) in a rights package that spans Manchester City, Manchester City Women, New York City FC, Mumbai City FC, and Manchester City Head Coach Pep Guardiola. This work has seen SPORTFIVE support Xylem on key partnership campaigns, including All to Play For, Take the Waste out of Water, and Take Steps to Solve Water.
The latest ‘Every Drop Counts’ campaign shows the real-world impact that partnerships in sport can have, and is another great example of what can be achieved when shared values and true commitment come together.
Donna Wilkinson, SPORTFIVE, Account Director
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About SPORTFIVE
SPORTFIVE is a global sports marketing agency that delivers customer-centric solutions based on trust and transparency, deep industry experience and global relationships, digital intelligence and innovation. SPORTFIVE strategically and creatively connects brands, rightsholders, media platforms and fans to create and enable contemporary partnerships in sports.
While creating and growing long-term value for all, SPORTFIVE often leads the sports business into the future through innovative digital solutions and strives to be the most progressive and respected partner in sports.
Being at the centre of professional sport SPORTFIVE will use its unique position, in order to make a positive contribution to sustainability and to live up to the social and economic duty and responsibility, which sport and consequently all parties involved, also have. SPORTFIVE operates with a global mindset and network of over 1,200 local experts based in 15 countries around the world, active in Football, Golf, Handball, Motorsport, Esports, Cricket, Tennis, American Football, Basketball, Hockey, Rugby, Olympics and Multi-Sport Events, Wintersports and many more.
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About Xylem
Xylem (XYL) is a Fortune 500 leading global water solutions company that empowers customers and communities to build a more water-secure world. Our 23,000 diverse employees delivered revenue of $8.6 billion in 2024, optimizing water and resource management with innovation and expertise. Join us at www.xylem.com and let’s solve water.
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About Manchester City Football Club
Manchester City FC was initially founded in 1880 as St Mark’s West Gorton and officially became Manchester City FC in 1894. Situated on the wider Etihad Campus, the Club’s footprint includes the 53,500 capacity Etihad Stadium, the 7,000 capacity Joie Stadium and City Football Academy, a state-of-the-art performance, training and youth development facility home to the Club’s men’s, women’s and academy teams.
Ranked as the Most Valuable Football Club Brand in the Premier League by Brand Finance, Manchester City FC is currently developing a best-in-class fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination at the Etihad Campus. The Club is committed to operating in a sustainable and socially responsible manner and ensures that equality, diversity and inclusion is embedded into its decision-making processes, culture and practices.
Press contacts
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Dominic Mills
Marketing & Communications Manager, UK
dominic.mills@sportfive.com
