The Impact of the Perceptions of Host Local Community Residents on Their Support for the Sports Event

Abstract

This study’s purpose is to apply social exchange theory to examine the causal relationship between local residents’ perceptions and their support for hosting sports events, thereby deriving implications for more effective hosting of sporting events. An online survey was administered to residents of Fukuoka City, the host city of the 2023 World Swimming Championships. Data were collected in two waves: the first from May 16 to 20, 2023, 2 months before the event, and the second from January 25 to 26, 2024, 6 months after the event. Of the 350 collected responses, 253 (85.5%) were retained for the final analysis after excluding 97 for insincere responses. The survey measured residents’ perceptions across five dimensions: economic, sociocultural, living environment, behavioral intention, and event support. The hypothesized model was tested using structural equation modeling. The results showed that sociocultural perceptions significantly influenced support both before and after the event. Similarly, behavioral intentions were found to influence event support across both time points. These findings highlight the central role of sociocultural factors. If residents are dissatisfied with such sociocultural exchanges, negative perceptions may emerge, leading to reduced cooperation and support for future events.