What is a sport mega-event?
Large-scale cultural, commercial, and sporting events with dramatic character, mass popular appeal, and international significance (Roche, 2000).
Why are sport mega-events significant economically and socially?
Economically: urban regeneration and industry growth. Socially: community development, reducing exclusion and crime (Horne, 2007).
What is a contested terrain in sport mega-events?
A site of struggle involving key agents, ideas, and beliefs over resources and ethics (Jackson & Scherer, 2013).
Who are the main actors in contested terrains of mega-events?
IOC/FIFA/WR/ICC, governments, athletes, business/media, sponsors, citizens/activists, environment, human rights, Indigenous groups.
What was the slogan of NZ’s 2011 Rugby World Cup bid?
“A Stadium of Four Million.”
How many international fans attended RWC 2011?
133,000 international fans; 1.35 million total attendance.
What was the global cumulative TV audience of RWC 2011?
3.9 billion.
What was the financial outcome of RWC 2011?
IRB profit ~$200m; NZ Government recorded ~$31.3m loss.
What are World Rugby’s requirements for hosting RWC?
Host pays mandatory fee, covers all costs, guarantees stadia, provides ‘clean’ venues. Income: ticket sales + visitor spending.
What is the Major Events Management Act (MEMA, 2007)?
Introduced ‘Clean Zones’ and ‘Clean Times’ banning unauthorised advertising/association with events. Penalties up to $150,000.
How much did NZ contribute to host FIFA Women’s WC 2023?
$25m ($14m to FIFA, $11m to government on-costs).
What was the global audience and attendance for FIFA Women’s WC 2023?
1.5–2 billion audience; 1.98 million total attendance.
What contested issues surround FIFA Women’s WC hosting?
Economic impact overstated, low number of bids, no evidence of increased participation.
What is the IOC’s claim about Olympic legacy?
Olympics deliver lasting benefits, change infrastructure, and create global attention (IOC, 2012).
What is the average Olympic cost overrun (1960–2016)?
156%; all Games had cost overruns.
What are hidden costs of mega-events?
Public spending diverts from services, borrowing/taxes increase, often zero net economic impact (Matheson, 2006).
What were Rio 2016’s post-Games impacts?
Debt $31b, cuts to public services, rising crime, underused/dilapidated stadia.
What type of organisation is FIFA?
Governing body of world football; runs tournaments, regulations, development.
What are criticisms of FIFA in Qatar 2022?
Corruption, human rights issues (Kafala system), mafia-like practices.
What is sportswashing?
Use of sport events, teams, or athletes to improve reputation or hide abuses (Jackson, 2025).
