Chapter 1: Introduction
A spectator sport is one in which people attend matches or tournaments – e.g., Football, Basketball, Tennis, Formula 1, or Golf. Rise in attendance is being witnessed across numerous sports events and leagues, to the point where they can act as catalysts for tourism development in host countries.
Matches and tournaments are increasingly being used as marketing tools to promote and strengthen the international image of destinations in a sports tourism market that is estimated to grow at a rate of 17.5% between 2023-2030 .
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Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events (CETS No. 218) – Council of Europe (2016)
https://www.coe.int/en/web/sport/safety-security-and-service-approach-conventionCouncil of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events (Official Text PDF) – Council of Europe (2016)
https://rm.coe.int/1680666d0bCouncil of Europe Standing Committee Recommendation Rec(2015)1 on Safety, Security and Service – Council of Europe (2016)
https://rm.coe.int/recommendation-rec-2015-1-of-the-standing-committee-on-safety-security/168072b9a2The Purple Guide to Health, Safety and Welfare at Outdoor Events – Events Industry Forum
https://www.thepurpleguide.co.uk/Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (“Green Guide”) – Sports Grounds Safety Authority
https://sgsa.org.uk/green-guide/Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance 2025 – Deloitte (2025)
https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/sports-business-group/articles/annual-review-of-football-finance.html