Sports Mega-events Research Articles

The professionalization of a national sport organization as event hosting legacy

PurposeThe role of a national sport organization (NSO) is prominent when a country hosts a mega-sporting event since the organization is responsible for athlete preparation and coordinating with other organizations to ensure successful hosting. This research examines the impact of hosting a mega-sporting event on the professionalization of an NSO and its consequences on the sport, using the case of the Korea Ice Hockey Association (KIHA).Design/methodology/approachThe study utilizes a qualitative single-case study approach grounded in an interpretivist perspective. Data for this study included semi-structured interviews with key individuals (n = 16) and archival materials.FindingsThe findings indicate that hosting a mega-sporting event was a strong catalyst for the professionalization of the KIHA. KIHA underwent changes in its organizational structures and processes, human resources and interorganizational linkages, all of which contributed to significant transformations in the sport during the event preparation period.Originality/valueThe study elucidates how hosting can lead to increased professionalization and its subsequent impact on the sport. However, the current case demonstrates that the KIHA overlooked certain impacts of professionalization (e.g. internal conflicts and neglected parts of the sport) that should be enacted in order to further the sport’s development. Therefore, NSOs and event stakeholders must carefully assess their sport’s environment and attributes.

Residents’ trust, perceived benefits and support for mega-sporting events: insights from the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to reveal the interrelationships between residents’ perceived trust, perceived social and personal benefits and event support intention for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. The interrelationships were investigated over time.Design/methodology/approachData were collected twice (Time 1: 7–9 September 2021 and Time 2: 7–9 September 2022) using a panel design. Stratified online sampling was employed based on resident status, age and Olympic and Paralympic viewership (n = 714). Structural equation modelling was employed to analyse the data.FindingsTrust strongly affected personal and social benefits at Time 1 and event support at Time 2. However, social benefits at Time 2 did not significantly influence event support at Time 2. The reciprocal effects of personal and social benefits at Time 1 and Time 2 were observed to be weakly related or not related.Practical implicationsBidding procedures often require public backing. Actors must explain how residents will be affected generally and which benefits might derive from the megasport event. Briefings would also boost event openness. Messages that locals can apply to their own lives are more important than explaining how society will change.Originality/valueThis study contributed to the literature by applying the concepts of trust and buy-in from social exchange theory to the context of mega-sporting events. The findings highlighted that the success of such events hinged on resident buy-in. Contrary to previous studies, this research clarified that while residents may have distrusted certain entities, they still supported the event, indicating that trust and buy-in operated independently.

Mapping knowledge structures and theme trends in sport diplomacy: a bibliometric analysis

This study aims to analyse knowledge structures and thematic trends in sport diplomacy, an increasingly prominent field. Using bibliometric analysis of 331 studies from the Web of Science (WoS) database, this study identified several key themes, including the role of sport in promoting peace and diplomacy, the use of sport as a tool for soft power, and the challenges and opportunities of hosting sport mega-events. The study also identified several knowledge structures, including the relationship between sport and (international) politics, globalization, and the role of sport in cultural diplomacy. These findings provide insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, guiding theory development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and practical applications. In summary, this study contributes to understanding the evolution and current state of sport diplomacy scholarship, fostering continued progress in this dynamic field.

The Broken Promises of Neoliberal Soccer: Illusion and Disillusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar attracted over 3.4 million spectators and more than a million international visitors. However, the tournament required a colossal investment of 220 billion US dollars for facilities whose future use remains uncertain. It also highlighted the excesses of neoliberal soccer, dominated by financial interests. Since the World Cup was awarded in December 2010, controversies have emerged, particularly regarding the working conditions of migrant workers, which have led to several thousand deaths. There have been widespread denunciations of labor and civil rights violations, and the banning of the “One Love” armband has illustrated FIFA’s censorship. Environmental criticisms were also significant, questioning the event’s claimed carbon neutrality. Extravagant spending on stadium construction and hotel infrastructures, often seen as unnecessary luxury after the tournament, has been highlighted. Qatar has not fulfilled its promises to dismantle and repurpose the stadiums, which remain underused. The 2022 FIFA World Cup exposed the tensions between sporting values and economic realities and underscored the need for a thorough analysis of the long-term impact of mega-sporting events.

Examining the relationship between pre-sport mega-event programming and physical activity participation

PurposeThe aim of the present study was to examine if interest in the 2022 World Cup and planned engagement in the pre-Qatar World Cup programming influenced both current and future informal and formal physical activity.Design/methodology/approachData were gathered using a survey conducted eight months prior to the World Cup, analyzing responses using four 2 × 2 analysis of variance (ANOVA) models. These models assessed the relationship between interest in the World Cup and planned engagement in pre-event activities with current and future formal and informal physical activity levels.FindingsThe findings of the current study suggest that engagement in sport programming pre-World Cup did not moderate the relationship between interest and physical activity. Engagement appears to play a direct role in physical activity, aligning with engagement theory, whereas interest plays a more direct role in spectator consumption. This highlights the importance of programming initiatives in enhancing physical activity, which is a critical aspect of the social impact of sport mega-events.Research limitations/implicationsThis study only focused on the residents of Qatar, and it may not be applicable to the future residents and location of the World Cup. Thus, further research should be conducted to see if this phenomenon can be observed and will exist in other host countries as well as with other sport mega-events. Additionally, our study was quantitative; it is suggested to perform a qualitative or mixed methods approach with a large sample size to obtain a more descriptive analysis that adds more depth to the connection between interest, engagement and physical activity of hosting a sport mega-event.Practical implicationsThe study’s implications suggest that host countries and event organizers can significantly impact residents’ physical activity by creating environments and opportunities that align with their intrinsic needs for competence, autonomy and relatedness. For host countries and event organizers, these findings underscore the importance of pre-event planning, particularly in developing sports infrastructure, facilities and initiatives. Participating in sport programs can reflect positively on the economy by reducing healthcare and social service use, as well as increasing social engagement. Policymakers can leverage these findings to develop comprehensive strategies that promote physical activity in conjunction with sport events.Social implicationsThis study highlights the importance of programming initiatives in enhancing physical activity, which is a critical aspect of the social impact of sport mega-events. By leveraging pre-event programming, host countries can address public health concerns and enhance social well-being. The findings suggest a positive relationship between sports programming engagement and increased physical activity among residents, contributing to improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.Originality/valueThe findings of this study will contribute to the literature and advance our knowledge regarding the relationship between hosting a sport mega-event and physical activity participation by understanding pre-event impacts. This research offers valuable insights for event organizers and policymakers, highlighting the importance of fostering environments that motivate active participation and contribute to the long-term health and vitality of communities.

Megaevents of Public Selection in Brazil: a Study on the Leasing of Physicalspace in the Federal District

Objective: The study aims to investigate the leasing of physical space for the execution of public selections in the Federal District, analyzing the evolution of expenses with leasing and the revenue of CESPE-UnB between 2009 and 2014. The research seeks to understand the criteria used in the contracting of these spaces, especially in large-scale events like ENEM, and to identify the gaps in the logistics of public selection mega-events. Theoretical Framework: The research addresses the historical evolution of public competitions in Brazil, from the 1824 Imperial Constitution to the 1988 Constitution, which made it mandatory to pass a public competition for public positions or jobs. The study also considers the "public competition industry," highlighting the importance of CESPE-UnB as one of the country's main organizing boards. The literature review includes contributions on sports mega-events, programmatic requirements in public accounting, and the control of the legality of public competitions. Method: The methodology employed involved documentary and content analysis, using descriptive statistics for the presentation of results. Primary data collection was carried out through interviews with representatives of CESPE-UnB and visits to educational institutions in the Federal District. Secondary data were collected from the School Census and SIAFI databases, covering the period from 2009 to 2014. Results and Discussion: The results highlight the importance of adequate physical space for the execution of mega-events but point out the absence of formalized criteria in regulations guiding the event organizer. Despite the infrastructure of public institutions in the Federal District being above the national average, CESPE/UnB prioritized the contracting of private spaces, resulting in significant expenditure on leases. The lack of clear criteria for selecting physical spaces for public competitions was identified as a gap needing regulation. Research Implications: The research suggests that defining clear criteria and formalizing regulations for the selection of physical spaces for the execution of public competitions can bring greater efficiency and transparency to the process. Prioritizing the use of public spaces, such as educational institutions, would not only reduce costs associated with leasing private spaces but also generate additional revenue for public schools, contributing to the improvement of their infrastructure. Additionally, adopting specific legislation could encourage the creation of public policies aimed at optimizing the resources used in public selections, promoting more effective and sustainable management. Originality: The research highlights the need for specific legislation prioritizing the use of public spaces for competitions, which could reduce costs and benefit public educational institutions. The originality of the study lies in the analysis of the logistics of public selection mega-events and the proposal to optimize the use of public resources through better management of physical space leases for competitions.

In the shadow of sport mega-events: A critical analysis of the nexus between evictions, displacements, securitized gentrification and children's rights

This paper explores what has been described as the ‘dark side’ of sport mega-events – namely, processes of gentrification and mega-event-induced human evictions and displacements. Whilst researchers have established the regularity of such practices before and during sport mega-events, and that children inevitably are among the displaced, this research has, hitherto, seldom been synthesized within the broader children's rights context. In doing so, this conceptual paper critically examines children's rights issues that arise from Olympic-induced evictions and displacements. We argue that, from a children's rights perspective, the consequences of these practices impact children, young people, and their rights in a much more pervasive and deep-seated manner, affecting multiple children's rights, including their right to housing, education, and the best interests principle. This paper drives forward debates in the social study of sport mega-events, children's rights and urban processes and their social exclusions.

Does hosting FIFA World Cup attract inward FDI? An empirical investigation using sectoral panel data of 12 countries

PurposeThe primary objective is to analyze the direct and short-run impact of hosting the FIFA World Cup on inward FDI, considering both aggregate and sectoral levels. Additionally, the study aims to investigate the moderating role of governance quality on this impact, emphasizing the importance of robust institutional frameworks in attracting FDI.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses panel data spanning 1970–2022, encompassing 12 countries that have hosted FIFA World Cup events. The study employs a linear regression model with a robust weighted least squares (RWLS) estimation method. It incorporates various control variables and the institutional quality as moderating variables, to evaluate the impact of hosting the FIFA World Cup on inward FDI at both aggregate and sectoral levels.FindingsHosting the FIFA World Cup is associated with a significant average increase of $4.33 bn in inward FDI at the aggregate level. Notably, governance quality serves as a critical moderating factor, with well-governed countries experiencing a more substantial increase in FDI, totaling $10.5 bn. At the sectoral level, the results reveal that poorly governed countries attract FDI in primary sectors, while well-governed countries attract FDI in secondary and tertiary sectors. This highlights the nuanced dynamics of FDI attraction depending on the institutional quality of the host countries.Research limitations/implicationsA primary limitation lies in the scarcity of sectoral-level data, constraining the comprehensive study of the relationship between hosting mega-sport events and FDI. Future research could explore alternative data sources and methodologies to overcome this limitation. Additionally, extending the analysis to include other economic indicators beyond FDI could provide a more holistic understanding of the economic implications of hosting major international sporting events.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by focusing exclusively on the FIFA World Cup and undertaking a comprehensive sectoral analysis. By incorporating governance quality as a moderating variable, it adds a nuanced layer to the understanding of the impact of hosting international events on FDI at the sectoral level. The findings underscore the importance of targeted strategies and robust institutional quality in enhancing FDI attractiveness.

What motivates residents’ approval of hosting another winter mega-sporting events?

ABSTRACT This research aimed to examine the relationships between perceived social impacts and residents’ attitudes towards hosting another winter mega-sporting event depending on the level of event-related behaviours. An online survey was conducted with residents of Sapporo a week after the closing ceremony of the 2017 Sapporo Asian Winter Games. A total of 639 samples were included in a three-step hierarchical multiple regression analysis. The results showed that External image enhancement, Consolidation & Pride and Interest in sports perceived by the Winter Games hosting had positive effects on improving attitudes towards hosting another mega-sporting event, whereas Economic cost was negatively associated with the attitudes. Moreover, such positive effects were differently perceived according to the residents’ frequency of following the 2017 Sapporo Asian Winter Games through media.

Leveraging global south sports mega events to advance sport for development and peace theory and practice

AbstractThe article aims to contribute to the relationship between sport for development and peace (SDP) and sports mega‐events (SMEs) as viable platforms for accelerating human development and social change goals at local, regional and international levels. Recently, there has been a notable increase in the number of emerging economies in the global South demonstrating their aspirations to bid and (if successful) host SMEs. The article argues that the SDP‐SME nexus can be strategically utilised to redress some of the criticisms levelled against the nature of deployment of SDP activities, particularly in the global South. Therefore, the article argues for leveraging global South SMEs to advance SDP theory and practice. However, leveraging SMEs by the global SDP field requires a fresh strategic direction. The article employs qualitative approaches by drawing upon data from two roundtable discussions and Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup 2022 panel discussions held in New York and Doha. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to analyse the transcriptions of the discussions. The article is unique in its advocating for the role that global South SME actors can play in advancing global SDP policy and practice that supports southern agency. The article therefore contributes to a more nuanced understanding of leveraging global South SME hosting towards addressing limitations in global SDP praxis.

Policing Sport Mega-Events: Security, Spectacle, and Camouflage in Rio De Janeiro. By Dennis Pauschinger (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2024, 289pp. £90.00 hbk)

Policing Sport Mega-Events: Security, Spectacle, and Camouflage in Rio De Janeiro. By Dennis Pauschinger (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2024, 289pp. £90.00 hbk)

A roundtable discussion on the politics of EURO 2024: a collective commentary

ABSTRACT Every European Football Championship raises a host of important political questions. Euro 2024 in Germany was no exception in this regard, as this commentary demonstrates. This roundtable discussion – in form of mini essays – reconsiders this politicized event. Indeed, this collectively written commentary involves short, but sharp insights from five scholars aiming to provide a responsive account of politically significant moments or trends at before, during and in the immediate aftermath of Euro 2024. By exploring important questions relating to, inter alia, nationalism, security and safety, sustainability, and children’s rights – in Euro 2024’s context – it is hoped that this commentary paper will offer something to future discussions concerning Euro 2024, European football and sport mega-events more widely, and, finally, socio-political processes in contemporary Europe.

Sports Mega-Events as Foreign Policy: Sport Diplomacy, “Soft Power,” and “Sportswashing”

Sports mega-events (SMEs), such as the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup, have become a key part of state strategies to achieve a multitude of foreign policy goals. The literature attempting to explain this—often under the broad umbrella term of “sport diplomacy”—has recently been bolstered by the arrival of two very popular concepts in this area of research, “soft power” and “sportswashing,” leading to confusion and a general lack of consensus around the use of sport for non-sporting aims. This article makes two key contributions to the literature: first, it serves to clarify the conceptual relationship between sport diplomacy, soft power, and sportswashing. It does so by arguing that the latter two concepts are strategies at different stages of a similar process, that is, using sport to achieve specific foreign policy goals by states, state actors, and non-state actors. Our second contribution lies in the application of this conceptualization to two relevant, empirical cases of an advanced capitalist country (the United Kingdom) and an autocratic country (Qatar), both of which have hosted an SME. The results show that while a variety of states, state actors, politicians, and non-state actors use the same means (SMEs) to achieve different foreign policy goals, their geopolitics, different histories, regime types, economic systems, and levels of development influence their rationale for doing so and the strategies they choose.

Can Mega Sporting Events Promote Urban Green Transformation? Evidence from China

With the adoption of the concept of sustainable development, mega sports events (MSEs) are gradually aiming to be greener and to lower their carbon footprints. As such, does the hosting of MSEs provide an opportunity for urban green transformation? Taking MSEs in China as a quasi-natural experiment and using prefecture-level panel data from 2000 to 2020, we empirically explored the effects and mechanisms of MSE hosting on the green economic development in urban areas by applying a time-varying difference-in-differences (DID) approach. The findings revealed that the hosting of MSEs can significantly increase the green total factor productivity (GTFP) of the host city, indicating that MSEs promote the green transformation of urban areas. The results of the mechanism analysis showed that hosting MSEs promotes urban green transformation through three channels: encouraging residents to choose public transport, promoting the development of the digital economy, and upgrading of the industrial structure. In addition, the effect of hosting MSEs on green transformation is stronger in cities where the public is more concerned about the environment. We argue that host city governments should implement the concept of green sports when organizing MSEs, increase public concern about the environment, focus on the development of urban public services, and vigorously develop tertiary industries to drive urban green transformations.

More Medals, More Press: African Media Coverage of the 2022 Commonwealth Games

In 2022, 72 teams competed in the Commonwealth Games. The continent of Africa sent more teams to the event than any other world region. However, few studies have examined the African perspective related to mega-sporting events. The current research utilized a comparative content analysis of online national newspaper articles published in African Commonwealth countries during the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Results indicated significant differences between the countries related to gender, national interest, and sport discipline. These findings extend research on the agenda-setting presence in sports media related to mega-sporting events. Theoretical implications related to agenda-setting as well as methodological suggestions for cross-national comparisons within countries in contexts in the Global South are discussed.

Evolution of Sustainability and Media Coverage at the 2022 Qatar World Cup: An Analytical Study

Sustainability has become a key component of Sports Mega-Events (SME) since its inception in the 1980s and has evolved to include themes around social, economic, and environmental fronts. The 2022 Qatar World Cup is the first to be hosted in the Middle East, which presented a unique opportunity not only for Qatar to demonstrate its culture and heritage globally but also to allow people from around the world to connect with and share the Middle Eastern way of life. However, the event faced consistent criticism from Western media, governments, and NGOs, which became the key global narrative around the World Cup and reflected in the event’s sustainability strategy. This study first analyzes the sustainability frameworks of recent SMEs and finds an overwhelming focus on human rights issues in the Qatar World Cup, unlike other contemporary events. To understand this phenomenon, a content analysis of the coverage of the World Cup in major global news agencies found largely negative reporting of the event on issues such as corruption, human rights abuses, and intolerance towards marginalized communities. Applying the framework of Orientalism helps explain this disparity, and the paper furthers some tentative suggestions for governments and sports organizing bodies to adopt a sustainable framework, which is culturally responsive and aware of the needs of countries from the Global South.

A marathon, not a sprint: Increasing population physical activity as a legacy of sports mega-events

A marathon, not a sprint: Increasing population physical activity as a legacy of sports mega-events

Hosting mega sporting events in the extreme hospitality context: Why do hotel employees engage so intensively in their job duties?

Purpose This paper aims to identify why hotel employees in the Egyptian context accept the extreme job duties resulting from hosting too many mega sporting events and what outcomes they experience as a result. Design/methodology/approach The empirical data is based on semi-structured interviews with 36 hotel employees working in reservations, front desk and events management roles in four 4-star hotels located in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Thematic analysis was subsequently used to determine the main ideas in the interview transcripts. Findings The findings show that hotel employees accept the extreme job duties resulting from hosting mega sporting events for the following four reasons: linking pay with performance, difficulty finding alternative jobs, proving their occupational identity and being subject to patriotism. Furthermore, this paper highlights that the engagement of hotel employees in extreme work conditions during such mega-sporting events might be detrimental to their mental health, resulting in increased cronyism and gender bias among them. Originality/value This paper is a pioneering study to specifically investigate how hosting mega sporting events influences the extremity of work conditions for hospitality sector employees. Prior studies (to the best of the authors’ knowledge) have not theorised and empirically analysed this specific topic, especially in under-researched settings, such as developing countries in the global south.

Media and representation of others. Case of Iran in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Media and representation of others. Case of Iran in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

The framed and contested meanings of sport mega-event ‘legacies’: A case study of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

This article examines the ways in which envisioned sport mega-event legacies are publicly framed, communicated and contested. By employing Bourdieusian field theory, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG) as a case, and drawing upon documentary and media analysis, this article questions how CWG 2022 legacies were framed in a pre-event context. The article makes two key arguments. First, dominant actors within the mega-event field framed a considerable part of their pre-event legacies in terms of intangible inclusivity legacies relating to the host city's local communities, workforce and volunteering practices. Second, alongside these framed legacies, counterclaims emerged from actors on a civil society level, illustrative of a wider scepticism toward mega-events’ effects in the present day. Whilst limited scholarship has examined CWG 2022 to date, this paper also advances scholarship on sport mega-events’ socio-political legacies whilst it, theoretically, unpacks Bourdieu's tools of ‘field’ and ‘doxa’ in a new context.