The aim of this study was to analyse the residents´ perceptions of the impact of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe after the first three races (2008, 2009 and 2010) in the city of Valencia. Therefore, we surveyed 1,065 residents to analyse their opinion of this event. Results indicate that aspects related to the economic benefits, the image, the athletic prestige, and opening the city up to the world are those which are rated the highest. However, aspects related to job creation, public investment, problems related to noise and traffic, public transportation and security, taking full advantage of and utility of infrastructure, and increase in sports practice and facilities are the worst rated. There were significant differences according to gender, age, residence and interest in the sport. Results of this study provide useful information for future planning and organization of major sport events.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the influence of enthusiasm, fair social distribution of costs and benefits and the quality of the information received through the media in the support for holding sporting events and in future intentions of the Football Copa America held in Chile. Design/methodology/approach Through partial least squares structural equation modelling, two samples from two host cities (Concepción=373; Viña del Mar=267) are analysed. Findings Enthusiasm, the perception of the fair distribution and the quality of the information positively influence the support for sporting events and the future intentions. In the same way, the quality of the information positively influences enthusiasm and fair social distribution. Significant changes were observed between the two cities in the relationships between the quality of the information and the variables of future intentions and enthusiasm and between this variable and those of support and the future intentions of the residents. Research limitations/implications The convenience sampling limits the extrapolation of the results. Practical implications An adequate management of the quality of the information, social justice and enthusiasm can contribute to forming a social representation of the event that determines the backing or the behaviour of the citizens. Social implications Examination of the negative perceptions that cause bad feeling amongst the population receives a mega-event. Originality/value The contribution of theoretical evidence about possible data can determine the social backing and the behaviour of the residents in welcoming a major sporting event.

El objetivo de este estudio es conocer las percepciones de los residentes de una ciudad sede sobre un evento deportivo de mediana escala, como es el Open 500 de tenis de Valencia, a través de la identificación de grupos cuya actitud hacia este evento sea similar. Después de la realización de la encuesta se aplicó un análisis factorial exploratorio que permitió agrupar la escala de 23 ítems en cuatro factores: impacto socio-cultural y deportivo, impacto en el desarrollo urbano y las infraestructuras, impacto socio-económico e impacto en la imagen y la promoción. En segundo lugar, se realizó un análisis clúster combinando métodos jerárquicos y no jerárquicos, que permitió encontrar tres grupos de residentes: Favorables, Moderados y Desfavorables. Finalmente se observaron las características del perfil y las diferencias entre los grupos de residentes. Los resultados mostraron que el grupo de ciudadanos favorable al evento era bastante reducido en comparación con los otros dos colectivos. También, se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las variables relacionadas con el interés por el deporte, la asistencia al acontecimiento, el grado de afición por el tenis, el respaldo a la celebración del evento, el trabajo vinculado al sector del turismo o los eventos y la identificación con la política de eventos deportivos. Los resultados de este estudio proporcionan una información útil a los organizadores de eventos deportivos y autoridades para comprender y atender mejor las necesidades y demandas de los ciudadanos.Palabras clave: evento deportivo mediano, percepción de los residentes, impacto social, análisis clúster.Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the residents perceptions of a city based on a medium-scale sporting event, such as tennis Open 500 Valencia, through the identification of groups whose attitude toward this event is similar. After completing the survey, an exploratory factor analysis was performed grouping the 23-item scale in four factors: socio-cultural and sports impact, infrastructure and urban impact, socio- economic impact and impact on the image and promotion. Second, cluster analysis was performed combining hierarchical and non-hierarchical methods, which allowed finding three groups of residents: Favorable, Moderate and Unfavorable. Finally, profile observed characteristics and differences between groups of residents. The results showed that the group of citizens with a favorable attitude towards the event was relatively small compared to the other two groups. Also, statistically significant differences were found in the variables related to the interest in the sport, event attendance, degree of fondness for tennis, supporting the event, the work related to tourism or events and the identification with sports events policy. The results of this study provide useful information for sports event organizers and authorities to understand and better meet the needs and demands of citizens.Key words: medium-scale sporting event, residents’ perceptions, social impact, cluster analysis.

O objetivo do estudo é analisar a percepção dos residentes em relação ao impacto cultural e desportivo do Grande Prêmio da Europa de Fórmula 1. Realizou-se uma análise cluster, combinando métodos hierárquicos e não hierárquicos, que permitiu encontrar três grupos com percepções diferentes frente a este evento esportivo: Desfavoráveis, Desfavoráveis Moderados e Favoráveis Moderados. Os residentes consideram em sua maioria que este evento não tem um impacto considerável no  nível cultural e esportivo. Também se encontraram diferenças entre os três grupos de residentes em função do interesse pela Fórmula 1, o respaldo ao evento, a assistência e o grau de identificação.

The aim of this study is to validate a scale to measure residents' perceptions of the negative impacts of a sporting event. The event under study was the Copa America de Fútbol 2015 held in Chile. The perception of the residents in two host cities (Concepción and Viña del Mar) was consulted before and after the event. An initial scale of 17 items was developed from the literature review and expert suggestions. An exploratory factorial analysis was performed with the sample collected before the event (N=1016), and a confirmatory factorial analysis was performed with the sample collected after the event (N=420). The results showed a final multidimensional scale with 16 items classified into four factors: social impact (six items), political and administrative impact (three items), environmental and socio-cultural impact (five items) and economic impact (two items). The results indicated that the proposed instrument was valid and reliable for the purpose of this study.