Introducing a Conditional Support Framework: How young residents view the Olympic games

Abstract

While cost-benefit frameworks have dominated resident support research, they struggle to explain why governance quality increasingly shapes acceptance. This Research Note introduces the conditional support framework (CSF), which treats resident support as a contingent, revisable stance: granted, withheld, or withdrawn depending on perceived governance quality. Drawing on 74 semi-structured interviews and 14 focus groups (N = 146) with young residents aged 18 to 30 years in Lombardy, Italy, this study examines perceptions of the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Findings reveal that support is contingent on four governance-related conditions: (a) transport readiness, (b) housing fairness, (c) sustainability credibility, and (d) local inclusion. Economic and reputational benefits were widely acknowledged, yet proved insufficient to secure endorsement when governance performance was questioned. By reframing resident support as governance-dependent rather than purely impact-driven, the CSF extends resident attitude research and offers a transferable lens for future research on tourism legitimacy.