Mapping the Economic and Tourism Impacts of Sporting Events: A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Literature (2000–2025)
Abstract
Sporting events have evolved into powerful catalysts for economic development, tourism growth, and social engagement, extending far beyond mere athletic competition. This study systematically maps the scholarly landscape on the economic and tourism impacts of sporting events from 2000 to 2025, using bibliometric analysis of 572 peer-reviewed journal articles from the Scopus database. Key indicators, including publication trends, geographic concentration, co-authorship networks, and keyword co-occurrence, were analyzed to uncover the intellectual structure, collaborative patterns, and dominant themes in the field. Results indicate a marked increase in research activity after 2016, reflecting growing scholarly interest in both mega-events, such as the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup, and smaller, recurring sporting events, including marathons and cycling competitions. Thematic clusters reveal a multidimensional focus encompassing sport tourism, economic outcomes, destination image and branding, community engagement, sustainability, and global competitions. While developed countries dominate the research output, emerging economies are increasingly contributing, highlighting the globalization of sport tourism scholarship. Notably, gaps persist in long-term sustainability assessment, community-centered impacts, and post-pandemic behavioral changes, suggesting avenues for future research. By integrating economic, social, environmental, and branding perspectives, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of how sporting events influence tourism and economic landscapes while offering a strategic roadmap for policymakers, event organizers, and scholars seeking to optimize event outcomes and long-term legacies.
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