Managing Major Sports Events Theory and Practice

Managing Major Sports Events: Theory and Practice is a complete introduction to the principles and practical skills that underpin the running and hosting of major sports events, from initial bid to post-event legacy and sustainability. Now in a fully revised and updated new edition, the book draws on the latest research from across multiple disciplines, explores real-world situations, and emphasises practical problem-solving skills. It covers every key area in the event management process, including: • Bidding, leadership, and planning; • Marketing and human resource management; • Venues and ceremonies; • Communications and technology (including social media); • Functional area considerations (including sport, protocol, and event services); • Security and risk management; • Games-time considerations; • Event wrap-up and evaluation; • Legacy and sustainability. This revised edition includes expanded coverage of cutting-edge topics such as digital media, culture, human resources, the volunteer workforce, readiness, security, and managing Games-time. Each chapter combines theory, practical decision-making exercises, and case studies of major sports events from around the world, helping students and practitioners alike to understand and prepare for the reality of executing major events on an international scale. Also new to this edition is an "Outlook, Trends, and Innovations" section in each chapter, plus "tips" from leading events professionals. Managing Major Sports Events: Theory and Practice is an essential textbook for any course on sports event management or international sports management, and an invaluable resource for all sport management researchers, practitioners and policymakers. Online resources include PowerPoint slides, multiple choice questions, essay questions, stories,and decision-making exercises.

1 Introduction: The World of Major Sports Events Illustrative Case: How We Entered the Games World Milena M. Parents Experience Aurelia Ruetschs Experience Why This Book at This Time and Why a Revised Edition? What are Events, Sports Events, and Festivals? Theories and Approaches used to Study Sports Events The Sport Event Management World The Lifecycle of a Sports Event Overview of the Book Further Reading Relevant Websites 2 Why Bid for Sports Events? Illustrative Case: Why would London, Paris or Los Angeles Bid for the Olympic Games? The Theory behind Why Cities and Regions Bid for Events Its about perceptions from residents, politicians and the media Its about planning for long-term legacies Event portfolios Stakeholders involved in bidding and hosting events The Practitioners Perspective on Reasons to Bid for a Major Sports Event Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: Medium and Small Sports Events Bids Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 3 How to Bid for an Event Illustrative Case: Milano-Cortina versus Stockholm-re for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games Bid The Theory behind Bidding for Events The Practitioners Perspective on Bidding Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: A Great Bid with an OK Level of Communication Is Not a Good Bid Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 4 Leading and Setting Up an Organising Committee Illustrative Case: The Leadership of the Invictus Games The Theory behind Leading and Setting Up an Organising Committee The Practitioners Perspective on Leading and Setting Up an Organising Committee Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: Two Leadership Changes and Four Profiles Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 5 Planning Major Sports Events Illustrative Case: The Impact of the IOCs New Norm on Olympic Hosts The Theory behind Planning Major Sports Events The Practitioners Perspective on Planning Major Sports Events Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: The Ripple Effect Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 6 Financing Major Sports Events Illustrative Case: The Impact of a Recession on a Major Sports Event Depends on the Events Mode The Theory behind Financing Major Sports Events The Practitioners Perspective on Financing Major Sports Events Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: Where to Allocate Limited Resources in Media Operations Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 7 Marketing, Sponsorship, and Look-Feel Illustrative Case: Ambushing Major Sports Events The Theory behind Marketing, Sponsorship, and Look-Feel The Practitioners Perspective on Marketing, Sponsorship, and Look-Feel Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: The Rebranding of Canadian University Sport and its Events Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 8 Human Resources: Building High Functioning Organising Committees Illustrative Case: Integration Can Cause Tensions The Theory behind Human Resources Management (HRM) The Practitioners Perspective on Workforce Management Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: Major Sports Events: A Human Adventure Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 9 Volunteer Workforce Illustrative Case: How Many People Does it Take to Host a Major Sports Event? The Theory behind the Volunteer Workforce The Practitioners Perspective on the Volunteer Workforce Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: How Being a Team Attach Deconstructed My Understanding of Games Operations Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 10 Culture In-house, Outside, and All Around Illustrative Case: Different Cultures, Different Ways of Organising Events The Theory behind Culture The Practitioners Perspective on Culture Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: The Impact of Cultural Differences on Volunteer Language Services Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 11 Stakeholder Relations and Protocol Illustrative Case: Successful Organizing Committees Co-Opt Stakeholders The Theory behind Stakeholder Relations and Protocol The Practitioners Perspective on Stakeholder Relations and Protocol Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: Balancing Protocol Norms with the Spirit of an Event Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 12 Communications and Media Illustrative Case: Typhoon Hagibis The Theory behind Communications The Theory behind Media The Practitioners Perspective on Media Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: Why Care About the Media in Major Sports Events? Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 13 Digital and Social Media Illustrative Case: The Changing Nature of the Major Sports Event Media Landscape The Theory behind Digital and Social Media The Practitioners Perspective on Digital and Social Media Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: Think at least 5 Times before You Post Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 14 Technology Illustrative Case: Football/Soccers Use of Cutting-edge Technology during its Events The Theory behind Technology The Practitioners Perspective on Technology Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: Technology Incidents Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 15 Venues and Venuisation Illustrative Case: Qatar Wins the Rights to the 2022 FIFA World Cup by Proposing Nine New Expensive Stadia The Theory behind Venues and Venuisation The Practitioners Perspective on Venues and Venuisation Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: The French Flow Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 16 Risk Management and Readiness Illustrative Case: How One Virus Can Have a Major Impact on Major Sports Events The Theory behind Risk Management and Readiness The Practitioners Perspective on Risk Management and Readiness Risk Readiness Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: Planning for the Human Factor Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 17 Security Illustrative Case: The Major Security Incidents that Have Shaped How We Organize Major Sports Events The Theory behind Security The Practitioners Perspective on Security Security needs Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: Security here, there, everywhere and not! Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 18 Ceremonies Illustrative Case: The 2010 CWG Opening Ceremonies The Theory behind Ceremonies The Practitioners Perspective on Ceremonies Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: The Complexity of Medal Ceremonies Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 19 Games-time Illustrative Case: Past Games-Time Mistakes at Wembley Stadium The Theory behind Games-Time Spectator attendance Ticketing The Practitioners Perspective on Games-Time Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: Three Defining Games-Times Moments Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 20 Closure Illustrative Case: A Multitude of Reports Due for Both the Organising Committee and Major Stakeholders The Theory behind Closure The Practitioners Perspective on Closure Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Expert Case: Evaluating the Human Legacy Case Questions Chapter Questions Further Reading Relevant Websites 21 Legacy and Sustainability Illustrative Case: Revisiting Legacies of Past Olympic Games The Theory behind Legacy and Sustainability The Practitioners Perspective on Legacy and Sustainability Outlook, Trends, and Innovations Chapter Summary Exp

Milena M. Parent is full professor in Sport (Event) Management in the School of Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa, Canada. Internationally recognised for her research in the management and governance of major international sports events, she is a North American Society for Sport Management Research Fellow and former holder of a Government of Ontario Young Researcher Award. She also consults with governments, cities, and sport industry organisations on their governance, management, and sport event bidding and hosting. Aurélia Ruetsch is a major sports events professional, consultant, and speaker with over 15 years’ experience across countries and continents. She specialises in project design, planning, and delivery and has accumulated a deep understanding of the inner workings of organising committees, stakeholder management, and client group relations. Aurélia is the director of International Relations for WorldSkills France, and part of the organising committee that will stage the global WorldSkills Competition 2023 in Lyon, France. She is also a board member for the newly formed Global Esports Federation based in Singapore.