Support for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games

Abstract

The purposes of this research were (a) to explore and describe the relationships relative to the evaluation of the work of the organizers, expected legacy, and support for hosting the 2014 World Cup (WC) and the 2016 Olympic Games (OG); and (b) to compare Brazilians’ support for these two events. Social exchange theory (Blau & Scott, 1962) supported three structural models. Results indicated that Brazilians college students (n = 914) do not strongly support the country’s hosting of either the 2014 WC or the 2016 OG. They also do not believe the organizers adequately prepared the country to host the events, and, subsequently, do not have high positive legacy expectations. Mediated models indicated that higher perceptions of the work of the organizers in preparation for the sport mega-events predicted more positive legacy expectations of these events, and subsequently, larger intentions to support the events. Significant indirect effects indicated that a fully mediated model might be useful to describe relationships among intentions of support, expected legacy, and evaluations of the work of the organizers in preparing to host sport mega-events. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.