DESIGNING MEGA-EVENTS THAT DO NOT VIOLATE HUMAN RIGHTS
Mega-events will keep harming people unless human rights are embedded from the start—not tacked on after abuses surface or legacies fail.
Shubham Jain (Centre for Sport and Human Rights, Switzerland; University of Cambridge, UK).
Dr Daniela Heerdt (Centre for Sport and Human Rights, Switzerland; T.M.C. Asser Institute, Netherlands).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
● Mega sporting events carry structural human rights risks—from labour exploitation to displacement and exclusion—yet are often planned without rights protections built in.
● The Centre for Sport and Human Rights offers a practical, proven approach: embed human rights from the bidding stage, build capacity during preparation and delivery, and enforce accountability post-event.
● New regulations from FIFA, the IOC and others signal progress, but enforcement remains weak. Rights protections must move from paper to practice.
● A Rights by Design framework can guide reform—focusing on early integration, community empowerment, and transparent grievance mechanisms.
● The future of mega-events depends on trust. Organisers must act now to protect dignity, ensure participation, and turn global spectacles into genuine platforms for justice.
Mega sporting events promise unity, spectacle, and inspiration. But behind the polished stadiums and global broadcasts lies a tougher reality: exploited workers, silenced communities, opaque decision-making, and human rights quietly pushed aside. These aren't outliers—they're structural risks baked into the way we plan and deliver global sport.
Qatar 2022 brought labour conditions into sharp focus. Paris 2024 had to navigate displacement and social tensions in Seine-Saint-Denis. Los Angeles 2028 will test how homeless communities are treated under global scrutiny. The uncomfortable truth? Every mega-event carries a double edge: a platform for progress and a mirror for society’s failures.
INTRODUCTION
So the question is no longer whether human rights belong in sport—they do. The real question is how sport, especially at its grandest scale, can transform its relation to human dignity.
Daniela Heerdt and Shubham Jain believe it can. As editors of the Routledge Handbook of Mega-Sporting Events and Human Rights (Rook, Heerdt, and Jain 2023) and key voices at the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, they’re part of a growing movement making the case for reform—not from the sidelines, but from inside the system.
“Every mega-event carries a double edge: a platform for progress and a mirror for society’s failures.”
THE PROBLEM AND/OR OPPORTUNITY
Despite growing awareness, the organisation of mega sporting events remains fraught with human rights risks. These events generate extraordinary political, economic, and social capital—but too often, that power is exercised without adequate transparency, accountability, or safeguards for those most affected. Labour abuses, community displacement, gender exclusion, surveillance, and silencing of dissent are not isolated issues—they’re symptoms of structural weaknesses in how host cities and organisers approach responsibility (Heerdt, 2021).
What’s more, these challenges are rarely addressed in the early phases of event planning, when the most consequential decisions are made. Human rights are often treated as peripheral or reactive concerns—things to “manage” once problems arise, not foundational design principles embedded from the start.
But a counter-current is building. A growing network of scholars, policymakers, athletes, and civil society actors are working to centre human rights in the DNA of mega-event planning. The Centre for Sport and Human Rights is at the heart of this movement, creating tools, networks, and educational resources to reshape how the sector thinks about harm, remedy, and responsibility (CSHR, nd).
The opportunity is clear: to transform mega-events from flashpoints of controversy into catalysts for rights-based change—if we’re willing to confront the status quo.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER NOW?
We’re entering a critical decade for global sport. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup across North America and Los Angeles 2028 on the horizon, the decisions made now will shape how future mega-events are imagined, delivered, and justified. These events don’t just entertain; they set precedents. What is normalised in one host city becomes the baseline for the next.
At the same time, public trust is fragile. Fewer cities are bidding to host. Communities are pushing back against disruption, cost, and exclusion (Boykoff, 2020). The social license for mega-events is wearing thin, especially when abuses are dismissed as “unfortunate trade-offs.” Without a stronger rights-based foundation, these events risk becoming symbols of excess, not excellence.
Meanwhile, sports governing bodies are making bold claims. Many events and sports bodies have adopted human rights commitments (CSHR, 2025). FIFA has a human rights policy (FIFA, 2017). The IOC has adopted a human rights framework (IOC, 2022). But the gap between policy and practice remains wide—and enforcement is still elusive. As Daniela Heerdt puts it, “It’s great to have these new rules. But what happens when something still goes wrong?”
New challenges are emerging. As extreme weather events and natural disasters increase in occurrence and intensity, sports and events face an existential threat. Sports’ impact on the climate crisis and the changing climate’s implications for sports are coming under scrutiny (Amis and Jain, 2024).
“Now is the moment to move from paper commitments to lived realities. The world is watching—and expecting better.”
HOW DOES THIS ADD TO WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW?
Much of the existing literature on sport and human rights is either normative—focused on what should happen—or reactive, responding to scandals after the fact. What the Routledge Handbook of Mega-Sporting Events and Human Rights does differently is bridge research and real-world practice. It draws on legal frameworks, activist experience, and institutional reform efforts to offer a grounded yet forward-thinking agenda.
This isn’t about theory for theory’s sake. It’s about practical tools, tested models, and urgent questions. Most importantly, it challenges the notion that mega-events are inherently harmful—or inherently good. Instead, it asks: how do we design them differently?
Key Arguments
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Labour exploitation isn’t an anomaly—it’s a pattern. While Qatar’s 2022 World Cup brought global attention to migrant worker abuses, similar issues have occurred across mega-events: from underpaid hospitality staff to unsafe construction practices in Olympic and World Cup host cities. Daniela Heerdt makes it clear: “It’s not just about stadiums. It’s the whole ecosystem of an event—hospitality, logistics, even street vendors.” The risk is structural, and without systemic labour protections, human rights violations remain an inevitability.
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Most human rights measures are reactive—statements made after scandals emerge. The real opportunity lies in early integration. The Centre for Sport and Human Rights is helping sports bodies like the German Olympic Committee embed human rights into policies before decisions are made. This shift—from post-crisis damage control to proactive governance—is essential. If rights aren't part of the event’s DNA from day one, they’re easily sidelined when pressure mounts.
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Displacement, gentrification, and exclusion remain common side effects of hosting. But whether local voices are silenced—or empowered—depends on how cities engage. Daniela notes that engagement isn’t just about public consultations; it’s about real participation, especially from marginalised groups: children, the unhoused, grassroots organisations. “Human rights are about how decisions are made, not just what gets built,” she explains. Procedural justice matters.
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Calling something a “human rights violation” can open doors—or shut them. As Daniela puts it, “In some contexts, using that term gets you nowhere.” The Centre recognises the need for strategic framing. Sometimes “human dignity,” “discrimination,” or “accessibility” resonate more effectively. This isn’t dilution—it’s tactical clarity. If the goal is impact, language must meet people where they are.
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Can these events be saved? Shubham Jain offers a provocative lens: what if we designed mega-events from scratch, today, without historical baggage? Would we still accept massive carbon footprints, opaque bidding processes, and top-down control? Probably not. Reform isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about redesign. From co-created legacy plans to enforceable grievance mechanisms, the blueprint exists. The question is whether organisers are bold enough to use it.
RIGHTS BY DESIGN
To move from aspiration to implementation, we need to embed human rights not just in policies, but in the architecture of how mega-events are imagined and delivered. Drawing from the Centre for Sport and Human Rights’ strategy and the Routledge Handbook, we propose a three-part framework: Rights by Design.
1. Embed: Human Rights at the Start
● Shift from reactive policy to proactive planning.
● Conduct human rights due diligence during bidding, with participation from workers, residents, and civil society.
● Require minimum rights-based standards in host contracts—aligned with UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights.
2. Activate: Capacity Building in Real Time
● Provide human rights training for event managers, volunteers, and contractors.
● Fund athlete and community engagement programs that raise awareness and empower advocacy.
● Use storytelling and media partnerships to highlight both risks and progress.
3. Enforce: Accountability Beyond the Podium
● Ensure transparent grievance mechanisms and remedy pathways for those harmed.
● Monitor event-time violations through independent observers (as piloted in Qatar).
● Track long-term legacy outcomes—including who benefits, and who is left behind.
This isn’t a checklist. It’s a mindset shift—from event delivery to event responsibility. And it’s already in motion. The real question is how fast and how far we’re willing to go.
CONCLUSIONS
Mega-events are not neutral. They are political, economic, and cultural interventions that reshape cities, policies, and lives. That means the stakes are high—and the responsibility even higher. The good news? Change is no longer hypothetical. Human rights are being written into bid books. Local engagement is gaining traction. Monitoring mechanisms are being tested. But momentum is fragile. Without sustained pressure, today’s progress could become tomorrow’s public relations exercise.
The gap between principle and practice is still too wide. Rights-based policies mean little without enforcement. Inclusion pledges ring hollow without grassroots input. And legacy claims fall flat when the benefits bypass the most affected communities.
We are at a pivotal moment. Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 offer a chance to rewrite the mega-event playbook—not just tweak it. The frameworks are there. The networks are building. The question is whether institutions and organisers will choose to do what’s right, not just what’s easy.
As the Centre for Sport and Human Rights puts it: the goal isn’t just to host better events. It’s to build a better sporting world—where power is shared, dignity is protected, and progress is measured by people, not just podiums.
The future of mega-events is unwritten. But one thing is clear: the time to act is now.
“Mega-events are not neutral. They are political, economic, and cultural interventions that reshape cities, policies, and lives.”
PRACTICAL ACTIONS
1. Make Human Rights a Bid Requirement, Not a Bonus
Event owners (like the IOC, FIFA, Commonwealth Sport) must require all host cities to undertake formal human rights due diligence during the bidding stage. This includes:
● Risk assessments for workers, residents, athletes, and vulnerable groups.
● Public consultation processes, with records of how feedback shapes plans.
● Independent auditing mechanisms embedded in contracts.
Why it matters: Early integration avoids downstream harm—and creates enforceable accountability.
2. Invest in Human Rights Capacity for Delivery Teams
Local organising committees and delivery authorities must receive targeted support to operationalise human rights. That includes:
● Hiring dedicated human rights officers within delivery teams.
● Offering training on responsible sourcing, safeguarding, data ethics, and inclusive urban design.
● Co-designing community engagement strategies with affected groups.
Why it matters: Policies only work when people on the ground know how—and are empowered—to implement them.
3. Support Community Participation as a Right, Not a PR Strategy
Policymakers and city leaders must treat community engagement as a core right—not a reputational risk. This requires:
● Ongoing dialogue with local stakeholders before, during, and after the event.
● Specific inclusion pathways for children, disabled people, and marginalised communities.
● Funding for local initiatives that build event legacies from the ground up.
Why it matters: Events shouldn’t just impact communities—they should belong to them.
4. Create and Publicise Independent Grievance Mechanisms
Where rights are violated, there must be clear, accessible channels for remedy. Event organisers should:
● Establish third-party grievance platforms that are visible, multilingual, and safe.
● Ensure complaints are reviewed transparently, with follow-up action.
● Share lessons learned across future host cities.
Why it matters: Without remedy, rights protections are just paperwork.
5. Track and Share Human Rights Legacy Metrics
Leaders must move beyond symbolic statements and track real impact. Start by:
● Defining indicators tied to labour rights, public participation, and social inclusion.
● Publishing data annually and post-event—what worked, what didn’t, and why.
● Involving civil society and academics in independent evaluations.
Why it matters: Transparency builds trust—and helps future events avoid repeating the same harms.
By embedding these practices now, today’s decision-makers can set a new global standard: one where mega-events don’t just entertain the world, but elevate it.
IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES
Turning human rights from rhetoric into reality isn’t easy. Power asymmetries remain entrenched (Jain, 2023). Host cities may have little leverage once rights are violated. Event owners often lack enforcement mechanisms beyond reputational pressure. And in politically sensitive contexts, even naming human rights risks can be fraught with danger.
There’s also the problem of fragmentation. Responsibility is spread across federations, local governments, contractors, and sponsors—each with different incentives, timelines, and thresholds for action. Add to this the challenges of short event cycles, shifting personnel, and legacy fatigue, and it’s clear: even well-intentioned strategies risk falling through the cracks.
And finally, the term “human rights” itself can be polarising. As Daniela Heerdt noted, in some contexts, the phrase triggers defensiveness or disengagement. Language must be calibrated to the audience—without compromising the core principle of protecting human dignity.
But these challenges are not reasons for inaction. They’re signposts, pointing to where reform must be focused, scaled, and sustained.
REFERENCES
Heerdt, D. (2021). Blurred lines of responsibility and accountabilit : human rights abuses at mega-sporting events. Intersentia.
CSHR. (nd). Key Tools. [online] Available at: https://www.sporthumanrights.org/key-tools.
CSHR. (2025). Database of Human Rights Commitments in Sports. [online] Available at: https://www.sporthumanrights.org/library/database-of-human-rights-commitments-in-sports.
Boykoff, J. (2020). NOlympians : Inside the fight against capitalist mega-sports in Los Angeles, Tokyo & beyond. Fernwood Publishing.
Rook, W., Heerdt, D. and Jain, S. (2023). The Routledge Handbook of Mega-Sporting Events and Human Rights. Routledge eBooks. Informa. doi:https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003302551.
Jain, S. (2023). Resistance and Reform as Responses to Human Rights Criticism: Relativism at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. German Law Journal, 24(9), pp.1691–1702. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/glj.2023.119.
Amis, L. and Jain, S. (2024). Human Rights in the context of climate action in, around, and through sports. [online] Available at: https://www.sporthumanrights.org/climate-blog.
IOC (2022). IOC Strategic Framework on Human Rights. Available at: https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Documents/Beyond-the-Games/Human-Rights/IOC-Stategic-Framework-on-Human-Rights.pdf
FIFA (2017). FIFA’s Human Rights Policy. Available at: https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/1a876c66a3f0498d/original/
AUTHOR(S)
Head of Education and Research, Centre for Sport and Human Rights, Switzerland; Researcher in Sport and Human Rights, T.M.C Asser Instituut, Netherlands.
Dr Daniela Heerdt is a consultant and researcher in the field of sport and human rights. She is the Head of Research and Education at the Centre for Sport and Human Rights and works as researcher at the Asser Institute in The Hague. She has a background in public international law and human rights law and defended her PhD project entitled “Blurred Lines of Responsibility and Accountability – Human Rights Abuses at Mega-Sporting Events” in April 2021 at Tilburg University. Since then, Daniela has worked with different actors from the sports ecosystem, such as sport governing bodies, governments, intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, affected groups, and others, on activities such as providing input on consultative processes on human rights and safeguarding policies or processes, developing standards or principles for reporting mechanisms, or supporting the creation of educational material on children’s rights and sport, in particular in the mega-sporting event context.
Education and Policy Researcher, Centre for Sport and Human Rights, Switzerland; Ph.D Candidate, University of Cambridge, UK.
Shubham Jain writes, teaches, and speaks on the themes of sports, governance, inclusion, human rights, and climate justice. He is a Doctoral Candidate and WM Tapp scholar at the University of Cambridge and an Education & Policy Researcher at the Centre for Sports and Human Rights. He is the co-editor of the Routledge Book Series on “Sport & Human Rights”. Previously, he has served as the Executive Director at the Cambridge Pro-Bono Project and Lead at the Declarations Podcast.
Disclaimer
The views and insights expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and reflect their research and professional expertise. They do not represent the views of the Centre for Events & Festivals CIC or its partners.