The aim of this study was to identify and compare the components of sustainable development in selected football stadiums in Iran and around the world. This applied research adopted a descriptive-analytical approach to evaluate and compare top international and domestic stadiums based on the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development. The research methodology was based on George F. Brady’s four-stage model of comparative analysis, including description, interpretation, juxtaposition, and comparison. The study sample consisted of five prominent international stadiums (Camp Nou, San Siro, Allianz Arena, Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta) and three major domestic stadiums (Azadi, Takhti, and Yadegar-e-Emam Stadium in Tabriz). Data were collected from credible internet sources, academic articles, theses, and library documents. The results revealed that the domestic stadiums performed poorly in environmental components such as energy consumption, pollution, use of hazardous materials, and waste management. In the social dimension, these stadiums did not demonstrate satisfactory performance in enhancing cultural identity, social cohesion, or civic participation. From an economic perspective, the domestic stadiums faced challenges such as inefficiency in attracting investment and poor distribution of urban revenues. These findings underscore the necessity of revising national policies and the design of sports stadiums in Iran with a stronger emphasis on sustainable development principles.