The Impact of Sports Culture on Economic Development: A Case Study of FIFA

Abstract

In the globalized era, sports culture has evolved from simple physical activities into complex socio-economic phenomena with significant economic potential. This paper takes FIFA and its flagship event, the FIFA World Cup, as a central case study to explore the multi-dimensional impact of sports culture on economic development. The research posits that sports culture acts as a powerful driver in the modern economic system by shaping global consumer markets, driving the development of interconnected industries, catalyzing urban infrastructure upgrades, enhancing national brand image, and creating employment opportunities. Incorporating substantial quantitative analysis and a novel econometric model, this study examines specific data on direct revenues, tourism boosts, investment scales, and GDP contributions. Furthermore, it offers a dialectical perspective on potential economic risks such as the “white elephant effect” and uneven distribution of benefits. Finally, this paper aims to provide a theoretical reference and practical insights for leveraging major sports cultural events to promote sustainable regional economic development.