Sporting Events Research Articles

Grounded in the theory of polycentric governance, this study constructs an “event-driven” analytical framework to systematically investigate how major sporting events in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area region leverage newly emerged scenarios and business forms to propel the reform and innovation of sports social organizations. Through an analysis of the innovative practices of the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China, and the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 9th National Special Olympics Games of the People’s Republic of China, this research elucidates the interactive mechanism between “events, scenarios, and organizations,” aiming to provide a theoretical reference and a practical paradigm for the modernization of sports governance with Chinese characteristics.

Analysis of the emergency shelter function of Large-Scale International sports event venues

Major sports events provide a unique opportunity for the host country to enhance its image. The Qatari leadership spared no effort in maximizing the potential of the 2022 World Cup in order to do so. Rather than being a new idea, however, Qatar had already used the same method in the 1970s during the reign of the current Amir’s grandfather, Shaikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani. The sports achievements of the 1970s and 1980s were highlighted by the current Qatari leadership for contemporary needs. This article examines Qatar’s “invented traditions” since 2013, when Shaikh Tamim became Amir: the creation of new versions of Qatar’s traditions and history to use a re-imagined past for contemporary purposes of state- and nation-building. To fully understand contemporary politics in Qatar, one must understand how Qatar has re-framed its past.

The behavior of sports event spectators is influenced by various factors, and the relationship between each influencing factor is vague. The traditional analysis method for audience behavior in sports events cannot effectively handle the non-linear relationship of audience behavior and is challenging to address the ambiguity and uncertainty. Fuzzy set theory was combined with neural networks better to handle the nonlinear relationships and complexity of audience behavior. A large amount of audience behavior data was collected and preprocessed to ensure the quality of the data. Through fuzzy set theory, the data was fuzzified, and a series of rules was established to create a fuzzy rule library. Data analysis was conducted using fuzzy reasoning, and ambiguity resolution was successfully achieved. By combining fuzzy set theory with backpropagation neural networks, a fuzzy neural network (FNN) was employed to predict audience satisfaction with the event. The experimental results showed that the average accuracy of FNN in predicting audience satisfaction was 96.4%. Based on fuzzy set theory and combined with backpropagation neural networks, a comprehensive analysis of audience behavior in sports events can be conducted to accurately predict audience satisfaction.

Background and importanceOvercrowding in emergency departments (ED) is a worldwide problem and a major public health issue. Factors influencing fluctuations in admissions, such as weather conditions or road traffic, have been identified.ObjectiveTo determine the impact of national and local events on ED attendance.DesignObservational retrospective cohort study.Settings and participantsFrom 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2019, all admissions at two French ED (Metz and Thionville) were screened.Outcome measures and analysisThe primary outcome was the number of daily admissions at the ED. A logistic regression tested the association between daily admissions and the occurrence of a special event (sporting, cultural or social event).Main resultsA total of 998 event days were recorded, accounting for 27.3% of the study period. Excluding event days, as well as the day before and the day after an event, the median daily number of admissions was 181 (SD ± 36.37) in Metz and 165 (SD ± 24.29) in Thionville. During event days, the median number of admissions in Metz increased to 195 (SD ± 40.57; OR 1.25; 95% CI: [1.10–1.41]; p < 0.001). The day following an event, the median number of admissions remained elevated at 193 (SD ± 34.14; OR 1.31; 95% CI: [1.13–1.53]; p < 0.001). In Thionville, the median number of admissions was 167 (SD ± 25.83; OR 1.04; 95% CI: [0.92–1.18]; p > 0.001) on event days and 170 (SD ± 24.61; OR 1.29; 95% CI: [1.11–1.51]; p < 0.001) on the following day. Football events had a notable impact on hospital admissions. In Metz, the median daily number of admissions increased to 198 (SD ± 41.09; OR 1.39; 95% CI: [1.14–1.70]; p < 0.001) on the event day and 196 (SD ± 39.57; OR 1.38; 95% CI: [1.11–1.71]; p = 0.004) the following day. In Thionville, the median daily number of admissions the day after a football event was 172 (SD ± 25.54; OR 1.43; 95% CI: [1.15–1.78]; p = 0.001). Social movements also significantly affected admissions in Metz, with the median daily number reaching 200.5 (SD ± 45.62; OR 1.43; 95% CI: [1.11–1.86]; p = 0.007) on the event day and 199 (SD ± 41.12; OR 1.63; 95% CI: [1.16–2.31]; p = 0.005) the following day.ConclusionsThe occurrence of sporting, cultural or social events is associated with an increase in ED visits on the same day and the following day. These events contribute to a surge in activity in ED, potentially leading to overcrowding.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12873-025-01370-1.

University intramural sports programs play a vital role in fostering student engagement, promoting physical activity, and enhancing institutional identity. This study evaluates the implementation of the 2024 University Intramural Sports and Program Events at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), examining student and faculty perceptions regarding intramural goals and management implementation. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, the study collected quantitative data from 902 respondents—including students, faculty, event organizers, game officials, and spectators—through a structured survey, followed by qualitative thematic analysis of participant feedback. Results indicate that both students and faculty rated the intramural program's effectiveness to a great extent, highlighting its role in enhancing student engagement, sportsmanship, and physical well-being. However, significant differences emerged between student and faculty perceptions, particularly regarding event organization, scheduling efficiency, and resource allocation, suggesting areas for improvement. Key challenges identified include logistical inefficiencies, communication gaps, and the need for expanded inclusivity, particularly for underrepresented student groups. Recommendations include enhancing event coordination, integrating digital communication tools, and diversifying sports offerings to increase accessibility and engagement. The study underscores the importance of continuous program evaluation and student-centered improvements to maximize the impact of university intramural sports. Findings contribute to the broader discourse on campus recreation management by offering actionable insights for improving future intramural programs in higher education institutions.

As the ageing of the population has been experienced globally, prevention of chronic diseases and health promotion have become core issues regarding health. The purpose of this study is to examine how amateur senior sports events can serve as platforms for popularizing health science, using the Leaping Cup Badminton tournament as a case. Based on public resources, reports from five editions of the media (2018-2024), and semi-structured interviews, we conducted a qualitative content analysis to understand how medical knowledge can be integrated into events without compromising the sporting experience. Results suggest short discussions with experts, on-site demonstrations, champion demonstrations, and visual handouts as the strategies, supported by emcee recaps and short-video media. These strategies enhanced recollection of knowledge, promoted health-protective behaviors, and created trust in partnering health brands. The findings indicate that the presence of a physician and the first-service brand improve credibility, whereas repeated exposure and modular content have a stronger effect on retention. The paper proposes an event-based dissemination model by which on-site learning, services to participants, data collection, and follow-up are interconnected. This model is an effective and repeatable channel to increase senior health communication. Community sports events may be used as a means of promoting health beyond merely being a competition, but also as an excellent way of national health promotion in relation to the Healthy China 2030 and even an extensive national health agenda.

This study examines the impact of the TICAD CUP, a women’s football tournament held by cooperating Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and local institutions, aimed at fostering integration between refugees and host communities in Uganda. Using a mixed-methods approach, findings revealed that while the event significantly increased participants’ awareness of women’s participation in sports, measurable improvements in integration were less pronounced. However, qualitative data highlighted instances of intercultural exchange and social bonding, suggesting the sporting event’s potential to promote social cohesion. Notably, refugee participants experienced empowerment through a “safe space” that allowed them to focus on football and engage with diverse communities. The tournament’s continuous implementation and collaboration between JICA and local organizations further enhanced its impact. The study also highlights methodological challenges in surveying refugee populations, suggesting future research should consider linguistic and educational barriers. Overall, current study demonstrates the potential of sports events as a tool for fostering empowerment and integration in refugee contexts.

Sport events generate economic, social, and environmental impacts that shape residents’ perceptions and levels of support. In the context of sustainable urban development, understanding how residents evaluate these impacts provides valuable knowledge about community responses to tourism and event-led growth. Drawing on the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), Social Exchange Theory (SET), and Social Representations Theory (SRT), this study examines residents’ evaluations of the Rally Sierra Morena (RSM), a large-scale international motorsport event recently incorporated into the European Rally Championship (ERC). Data were collected shortly before the event using a self-administered questionnaire (n = 1529). An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified a multidimensional structure of perception, and a non-hierarchical k-means cluster analysis identified three clusters: Skeptics, who perceived stronger negative than positive impacts in economic and environmental dimensions; Pragmatists, who emphasized positive economic benefits while acknowledging environmental costs; and Enthusiasts, who consistently rated positive impacts higher across all dimensions and expressed the strongest support for the event. By integrating perceptual and sustainability-based approaches, this study connects residents’ evaluations of a motorsport event with broader discussions on urban resilience and sustainable community development.

The WHO's Burden of Disease from Environmental Noise: Quantification of Healthy Life Years Lost in Europe highlighted the health-related effects of noise, such as cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, sleep disorders and tinnitus. Its results of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) point that at least one million years of healthy life are lost every year due to traffic-related noise in Western Europe. Is it possible to figure out less regulated markets as those in South and Central America and South Asia, or even regulated but noise-thorn as seeing in North America, China and Japan? Measurements hold the key to comprehending this public health problem. However, how to measure noise in urban traffic clogged arteries, airports neighborhood, school premises, hospitals and clinics, nursing homes, sports events and so forth? A standard approach is to use portable sound level meters and analyzers or investigation boxes with microphones built-in. The simulator (e.g. Simulation of Urban MObility - SUMO) plays another role in traffic with bulky limitations. Why not take real measurements instead of simulations? A team of Brazilian researchers developed a patent-pending method to reduce all these costs to delivery virtually real-time noise measurements in the transit, any other place, at any city, any time.

Recreational drug use among sports fans has received relatively little scholarly attention. Nonetheless, understanding this landscape is crucial to better understand fan behaviors and attitudes, as well as to support fan communities through effective harm reduction and educational initiatives. Addressing this gap, we surveyed fans in the US (football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey) and the UK (soccer, rugby, cricket) to assess the prevalence, correlates, contexts, and motivations behind drug use at major sporting events ( N = 2,556). Fans reported more drug use than the general population, with significantly more use in the US (22.9%) than in the UK (6.5%), where there was more alcohol consumption. There were no significant differences for drug use at games between sports in the US, yet in the UK, soccer (8.9%) and rugby (8.3%) fans reported more use than cricket fans (2.2%). Drug types, motivations for use, and demographic correlates of use were broadly consistent across sports, whereas the role of collective identities was distinct according to national context. In the UK, team bonding was associated with both drug use and support of sanctions for drugs at games, aligning with a carnivalesque interpretation of fan behavior, where temporary suspension of broader social norms may coexist with internal group regulation. In the US, by contrast, team bonding was unrelated to drug-taking, with divergent effects on support for sanctions suggesting tensions between inclusive group norms and efforts to police in-group transgressions. Findings point to a need for tailored harm reduction and educational initiatives: we suggest that acknowledging drug use as part of fan culture could inform targeted interventions to reduce shame and better prioritize education, safety, and well-being within sports communities.

In an era marked by unprecedented interconnectedness, global sporting events such as the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, and Asian Games have become critical arenas where transnational identities intersect with powerful expressions of national pride. This study examines how globalization and nationalism—two seemingly opposing yet deeply intertwined forces—are socially constructed, performed, and negotiated within international sports events. Globalization has transformed sport into a global cultural and economic enterprise, yet nationalism persists as a fundamental organizing principle that shapes the structure, symbolism, and spectator experience of these events. Drawing upon sociological theories of imagined communities (Anderson, 1983), identity formation (Giddens, 1991), and cultural globalization (Robertson, 1992), the paper conceptualizes global sports spectacles as “stages of national performance,” where nations symbolically project collective identities before a worldwide audience. These mega-events embody both unifying cosmopolitan ideals and exclusive nationalist sentiments. On one hand, they promote intercultural understanding and global solidarity; on the other, they reinforce geopolitical hierarchies, historical rivalries, and the politics of representation. Employing a qualitative content analysis, the research explores media narratives, opening and closing ceremonies, and athlete portrayals from three landmark case studies: the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and the Paris 2024 Olympics. Supplementary semi-structured interviews with sport journalists and international athletes provide firsthand insight into how national identity is constructed and consumed in a globalized sporting arena. The analysis focuses on how mass media, political discourse, and commercial branding co-produce the idea of “nationhood” through sport, thereby transforming it into a communicative performance of belonging. Findings reveal that globalization has not diminished nationalism but reshaped it into new hybrid forms that are simultaneously global and local. Host nations, through cultural ceremonies and branding, utilize the global stage to reimagine themselves as modern, inclusive, and progressive—exercising what Nye (2004) defines as “soft power.” Media narratives of victory and defeat perpetuate emotional investment in national symbols, while multinational corporations commodify patriotic sentiment through sponsorship and advertising. Consequently, nationalism becomes a transnational product marketed under the guise of global celebration. The study concludes that international sports events operate as dual spaces: they symbolize universal human unity while simultaneously reaffirming national boundaries. Despite globalization’s integrative rhetoric, these events remain deeply political, functioning as arenas where identity, culture, and power are continuously renegotiated. The spectacle of flags, anthems, and medal tallies illustrates that global sport is not a neutral field but a socio-cultural system embedded in historical and ideological narratives. By situating this analysis within the sociology of sport, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of how global sporting events mediate the relationship between cultural identity and globalization. It highlights sport’s role as a form of cultural diplomacy and a site of ideological contestation, underscoring that globalization does not erase nationalism but reconstitutes it through mediated visibility, commercial interests, and performative expression. Ultimately, the research affirms that sport remains one of the most powerful lenses through which nations imagine themselves—and are imagined by the world—in the twenty-first century.

The sports betting industry has grown significantly worldwide in recent years, driven largely by technological advancements and the proliferation of online sportsbooks (René Manassé Galekwa et al., 2024, as cited in Williams et al., 2011). The industry is projected to reach a compound annual growth rate (CAGR, 2025-2029) of 5.30% in revenue (Meredith Alda, 2025). Sports betting involves odds setting, accepting wagers, balancing the book, and calculating outcomes. Bookmakers first calculate the “true odds” based on the actual probability of event outcomes, and then add a margin, or “vig” (commission), to reduce payouts, thereby making the total implied probability of all outcomes exceed 100%. Bettors are allowed to place wagers on specific sports events to predict results based on these odds. During this process, bookmakers may adjust the odds to manage risk if betting disproportionately favors one outcome.

Against the backdrop of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan and the comprehensive revitalization strategy of Northeast China, this study focuses on Shenyang’s dual positioning as a "transforming old industrial base" and a "cultural hub in Northeast Asia". On the basis of systematically sorting out Shenyang’s culture, sports and tourism (CST) resources classified by administrative regions and event types (including Qing Dynasty cultural heritage, industrial heritage, ice-snow ecology, sports events, etc.), the study proposes integrated development strategies of "differentiated planning by districts" and "learning from international standards", supplemented by guarantee measures such as inter-departmental coordination, digital platforms, and policy incentives. The research aims to explore a path for in-depth CST integration that features both "Shenyang’s distinctiveness" and "market competitiveness", providing practical references for the industrial upgrading of similar cities in Northeast China.

The purpose of this article is to examine cycling as a lifestyle, from leisure to competitive levels, with a focus on the effects it has on people's physical and mental health as well as their social connections within communities. The objective is to investigate the health advantages of regular cycling, such as the prevention of chronic illnesses, the increase of cardiorespiratory endurance, and the strengthening of the musculoskeletal system, by means of a review of pertinent research and the literature currently in publication. Both psychological effects—like stress reduction, improved subjective well-being, and boosted self-confidence—and social aspects— like how cycling contributes to the development of sports culture, community, and social capital—are given special consideration. Examples of cycling competitions, such as the Tour de France, are also analyzed as global sporting events that influence the popularization of cycling and its integration into different spheres of social life. The paper seeks to demonstrate how cycling, in all its forms, represents a powerful instrument for promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.

It is known that in addition to environmental factors such as the athlete's own efforts or the qualities of the coach, genetic predisposition can also have a significant impact on achievements in the sports field. For this reason, this study tried to analyze whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the myostatin, hemochromatosis(HFE) and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) genes, which are known to affect muscular strength, cardiorespiratory endurance and flexibility, respectively, could significantly affect the athletic performance of endurance or power/sprint events in Korean population. A total of 192 Korean unrelated participants were recruited in this study. They were divided into two groups: controls (n = 72) and track-field athletes (n = 120), which included throwing athletes (n = 39) and distance runners (n = 81). Also, the determination of the genotypes constituting the SNP markers in the three kinds of candidate genes mentioned above was performed using TaqMan method. Among the three kinds of SNP markers studied, only the rs1799945 polymorphism in the HFE gene was observed to be significantly associated with endurance performance in Korean athletes (p < 0.05). Therefore, our results suggest that the rs1799945 polymorphism in the HFE gene may be one of useful genetic markers for endurance performance in Korean athletes. Further studies using larger sample sizes and various sports events are needed to replicate our results.

Purpose The research aims to explore the transformational potential of sporting events and in particular, it considers the ATP Finals in Turin. It analyses how the event has increased the economic, social and cultural value of the city, while at the same time reshaping its identity – which has traditionally been linked to football and the car industry – into an international sports hub. In addition, the research discusses the effects of the event on how tennis is viewed in Italy. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative research was undertaken, involving semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders including event organisers, government officials and community leaders. The interviews provided an understanding of the effect of the ATP Finals on urban regeneration, business boost and community engagement. The findings were put into the context of current research on sports events, urban regeneration and sports social responsibility. Findings The study demonstrates how the ATP Finals have been instrumental in Turin’s urban renewal and economic resurgence, yielding long-term dividends by way of improved infrastructure and heightened international exposure. Socially, the event promoted local pride and identity, spurred tennis uptake at the grassroots level and improved the sport’s popularity outside its traditional elite base. Stakeholder collaboration was central to the optimisation of the effects, with strategic planning and community-focused initiatives being emphasised. Originality/value This study adds to the discourse of sporting events’ social impacts bringing in both theoretical and practical insights. In a case study analysis of the ATP Finals, the study demonstrates the potential for sports events to be used as instruments for urban and social development. The outcomes of the research give stakeholders practical suggestions for maximising future events’ legacy and impact while still being concerned with issues of sustainability, inclusiveness and stakeholder co-operation.

In recent years, sports communication has become a growing field that is getting more attention from researchers. This study examined research trends in sports communication from 1999 to 2025 using a bibliometric approach, analyzing 204 scientific articles retrieved from the Scopus database. The findings indicate that social media is a prominent and recurring theme in sports communication, playing a key role in audience engagement, sports marketing, and the formation of online communities around sporting events, while also shaping both the theory and practice of the field. The results of thematic analysis also indicate that some thematic clusters such as sports media, autobiographies, content analysis, and sports communications have high centrality and density, indicating their development and pivotal role in the knowledge structure of this field. This study offers valuable insights that help researchers and institutions in sports communication identify trends, choose suitable publication platforms, and build effective scientific networks.

Mega Sports Events draw global attention and engagement but also result in substantial environmental costs, primarily through significant carbon emissions generated during the preparatory phase. This research specifically examines the carbon emissions associated with the preparation stage of international Mega Sports Events, assessing their environmental impacts and exploring effective strategies for mitigation. Using the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics as a case study, this paper employs the Synthetic Control Method (SCM) and the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) to analyze the impact of the Olympic preparations on Beijing’s carbon emissions. The findings indicate that from 2015 to 2022, the preparations contributed approximately 118 million tons of additional carbon emissions. The emission rate initially rose but subsequently decreased, corresponding to the completion of major infrastructure projects for the event. The LMDI decomposition highlights that economic activities spurred by the Olympics primarily drove these emissions.

In recent years, the development of sports facilities and tourist attractions has played a pivotal role in driving economic growth and fostering sustainable tourism in the region. Sri Lanka's economy is projected to see moderate growth of 2.2% in 2024, showing signs of stabilization, following the severe economic downturn of 2022 with tourism contributing approximately 5.3% to the national economy. Sports tourism has emerged as a significant contributor to the Sri Lankan economy, attracting a growing number of international visitors each year. This study analyzes the economic implications of sports tourism based on empirical data from the past decade. Key findings reveal that the number of international tourists visiting Sri Lanka primarily for sports-related activities has steadily increased by an average of 8% annually. Financially, sports tourism generates substantial revenue, with an estimated contribution of over $150 million annually to the Sri Lankan economy. This revenue encompasses spending on accommodation, dining, transportation, and sports-related expenditures. Moreover, sports events and tournaments hosted in Sri Lanka significantly boost local businesses and employment in the tourism sector. Data were collected from 87 tourists using a random sampling technique, by a questionnaire to interpret qualitative data, identifying key trends and insights from respondents’ feedback, and a Likert scale was utilized to measure visitors’ satisfaction with various sports facilities and tourist attractions. Findings reveal a diverse demographic of visitors with varying preferences in activities and attractions. Popular sports facilities included surfing spots (53.8%), diving centers (40%), and yachting facilities, which received generally positive ratings on the Likert scale. The findings indicate a substantial and growing contribution from sports tourism to the Sri Lankan economy, highlighting its potential as a key driver of economic prosperity and cultural exchange on a global scale.