2024

Mangeloja, Esa

A sports mega-event refers to a large-scale sporting competition or spectacle that attracts a massive audience and gains wide international attention. These events are characterized by several special characteristics that differentiate them from other sporting contents. They occur irregularly and they attract participants and spectators from outside the local region. Mega-events also garner significant public interest and media attention, particularly on a national or international scale. Typical examples of sports mega-events include the Olympics, FIFA World Cup and Super Bowl. In this article, the long history of sports mega-events is analyzed from both the economic and historical viewpoints. Selection of host locations, bidding processes, economic incentives and impacts are analyzed. Organizing sports mega-events bring both costs and benefits for the host cities, materialized in short- and long-term.