Recent years have seen an increased focus on sustainable urban development in Europe, particularly in brownfield rehabilitation and the preservation of green spaces. Hungary has integrated these priorities into its land-use and transportation planning while emphasizing a healthy environment, promoting active lifestyles, and developing sports facilities. Over the past decade, Hungary has built numerous sports complexes, stadiums, and courts. This study examines how sports infrastructure can foster sustainable mobility and promote integrated land-use planning. Analyzing over 200 projects reveals how well-placed sports facilities can encourage walking and cycling, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The research highlights brownfield rehabilitation for sports to foster innovative mobility and efficient land use, offering policymakers insights into leveraging sports facilities as catalysts for sustainable settlement development.

Sustainable urban development has gained growing importance in recent years, with increasing attention to integrating economic, environmental, and social considerations into city planning. The European Union and Hungary have prioritized green space preservation, brownfield rehabilitation, and the promotion of healthy environments and active lifestyles. In this context, Hungary has made substantial investments in sports infrastructure—including stadiums, complexes, academies, and courts— across various regions. This study comprehensively analyses over 200 large—and medium-scale sports facility projects implemented in Hungary over the past decade. It employs a mixed-methods approach, combining statistical methods, including factor analysis, decision trees, ANOVA, and crosstabs analyses, with qualitative case studies and policy reviews to assess their impact on environmental sustainability, economic growth, and social well-being. The research identifies key trends, opportunities, and challenges in aligning sports development with sustainable urban strategies. The findings suggest that well-planned sports facilities can play a vital role in urban transformation when integrated into broader sustainability goals, particularly those related to green infrastructure, community engagement, and long-term economic viability. This study contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable city planning by highlighting best practices and providing evidence-based insights for policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders. It emphasizes the multifaceted role of sports infrastructure in enhancing the quality of urban life and shaping more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities.