The Effect of Event Prestige on Event Participation Intention: The Case of the FISU World University Summer Games

Abstract

Mega sports events play an important role in the development of the host city. This study examined the relationship between event prestige, city image, place attachment, and event involvement intention of the host community. Data were obtained using questionnaires distributed to college students in Chengdu, China 2022, when it was the host of the World University Games. The results show that the event’s prestige as perceived by college students had a significant positive impact on the intention to participate in the event, and the event’s prestige had a significant positive impact on the image of the city but had no effect on the place attachment of college students. City image and place attachment has a chain mediating effect between the event prestige and the participation intention. Moreover, hosting an event can form a positive image of the host city, thus further enhancing the place attachment of college students, and providing talent protection for urban development. The implications of these findings for the event’s organization strategies as well as future research directions are discussed.

Examining the Effect of Mega Sports Event and Host City Experience on Destination Image and Behavioral Intention in the Context of the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games

“…Mega sports events play an important role in the development of the host city (He & Chen, 2022). It has been reported in various studies that the biggest economic benefit of mega sports events for the host country comes from the expenditure made by tourists and other visitors during the sporting events or the increase in the number of tourist arrivals before and after the events.…”

“…The results of a study conducted by Zhang, Kim & Xing (2020) on the image congruity between the sports event and the host city and its impact on attitudes and behavioral intentions, showed that the image congruity between the sports event and the host city had a positive impact on the attitude of spectators towards the city and their intention to recommend the city. Similarly, in the study carried out by He & Chen (2022) to determine the effect of event prestige on the intention to participate in the event, the significant positive effect of event reputation on the image of the host city was examined and they stated that a good event reputation had a significant effect on the positive image of the host city. Another study by Yu, Jeong & Kim (2021) found that attractive sporting events supported sustainable urban growth.…”

The use of virtual social networks during the anticipatory phase to reduce perceived crime risk and increase trust in organizers

“…Other studies that link attitude and intention to attend an event highlight the importance of the design and materials of the physical spaces (Ramirez et al , 2013), the image of the place (He and Chen, 2022; Lee and Back, 2007) and the services offered (Cunningham and Kwon, 2003; Ramirez et al , 2013). While the latter elements are especially important to understand consumers' intention to attend leisure events and festivals, for conventions, researchers underline the expected educational component and networking opportunities (Mair and Thompson, 2009).…”