Thinking beyond the event: The legacy impact of the FIFA 2010 soccer World Cup on South African cities

Abstract

South Africa hosted the 2010 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) soccer World Cup with an ambitious list of objectives. While the event boosted the country’s confidence and its infrastructure, the cities are left with more large stadia than they need. The pressure of hosting a global event inevitably draws cities into maximising the utility of the event, sacrificing long-term considerations. This is the essential dilemma of being a host city. Drawing on South Africa’s 2010 experience, the author suggests three principles that can be considered by cities in developing countries as they seek to take advantage of the great potential of hosting a large event, while avoiding some of the pitfalls.