Host City 2025, the greatest meeting of organisers, hosts and owners of sports, business and cultural events, has revealed the conference theme and agenda topics, and confirmed the Global Presenting Partners and Hosts.

The conference will centre on the theme “Getting on with the Business of Major Events.” This year’s focus underscores a renewed commitment to the practicalities of hosting and delivering world-class sports, business, and cultural events.

Taking place with the support of Global Presenting Partners and Hosts Glasgow Life and EventScotland, part of VisitScotland, Host City 2025 will offer a dynamic and diverse program featuring keynotes, interviews, workshops, and panel discussions.

Keynote Addresses & Q&As will explore critical topics, including:

• The enduring inspiration of major events
• Lessons from organising committees
• The business of sport in the Middle East
• The business of sport in the Americas

Plenary sessions will address pressing industry trends such as:

• Driving growth in major events
• How AI is transforming major events
• Making major events pay
• The economics of women’s sport
• Private investment in major events
• Digital fanship and engagement
• A decade of sport in the Americas
• Technologies driving event delivery
• Advances in security and ticketing

Workshops & Case Studies will provide hands-on insights into subjects ranging from:

• Bidding processes and strategies
• Net Zero
• Innovations in AV and broadcasting technology
• New event formats and production innovations
• Tools for managing teams and events
• Data, infrastructure, and transport solutions
• Procurement processes and opportunities
• VR and immersive experiences
• Purpose-led sponsorship and commercialisation strategies
• Ensuring event relevance and long-term impact

An exhibition featuring event hosts, owners, and suppliers will run alongside the conference.

Host City 2025 will feature the second Host City Awards, set to take place over an Awards Dinner on 2^nd December, recognising excellence in major event hosting and delivery across a range of categories.

With an expanded agenda and a sharpened focus on industry challenges and innovations, Host City 2025 is an unmissable gathering for leaders shaping the future of major events.

Host City 2025 conference and exhibition takes place at the Technology & Innovation Centre, Glasgow, Scotland.

Matthew Astill, CEO of Cavendish Group said: “Host City 2025 will provide our community of major event organisers, owners, hosts and suppliers with deeper and more varied opportunities for learning and business. We thank Glasgow and Scotland for their longstanding support of Host City.”

Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life said: “The Host City Conference provides an invaluable platform for global events sector partners to come together to share their experiences and insights on industry issues, and take part in productive discussions and debates about the challenges and opportunities host cities face.

“The event also provides a fantastic opportunity for the world’s top industry contacts to network and build connections that foster collaboration and mutually beneficial partnerships – which is incredibly important too. So we are really looking forward to welcoming Host City delegates to Glasgow once again in December..”

Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Events at VisitScotland, said: “The return of Host City to Glasgow and Scotland reinforces our reputation as a world-leading events destination. The conference and exhibition will provide the ideal platform for delegates from across the sport, cultural and business events landscape to come together and discuss the issues and trends facing the industry. With EventScotland continuing its support of Host City as Global Presenting Partner alongside Glasgow Life, we look forward to once again welcoming delegates from around the globe back to Glasgow this December.” 

[Source: IOC] Kirsty Coventry has been elected the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee.

The 41-year-old Zimbabwean was chosen in a secret ballot of seven candidates at the 144th IOC Session being held in Costa Navarino, Greece, on Thursday (20 March), for an eight-year term of office.

President-elect Coventry replaces outgoing President Thomas Bach, who was first elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2021. She received 49 votes in the first round, exactly the number required for a majority from the 97 votes cast.

She will be the first woman and the first African to serve as IOC President.

President-elect Coventry will assume office after the handover from President Bach on Olympic Day, 23 June. President Bach, who remains in the role until then, will also resign as an IOC Member after the transfer of power and will then assume the role of Honorary President.

"This is an extraordinary moment. As a nine-year-old girl I never thought I'd be standing up here one day, getting to give back to this incredible Movement of ours," President-elect Coventry told the Session in her acceptance speech.

"This is not just a huge honour but it is a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you that I will lead this organisation with so much pride, with the Values at the core. And I will make all of you very, very proud, and hopefully extremely confident in the decision that you have taken today. Now we've got some work together. This race was an incredible race and it made us better, made us a stronger Movement."

The President-elect will oversee the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 as her first Olympic Games, with under 11 months to go to the Opening Ceremony.

As the International Olympic Committee (IOC) prepares to elect its next president, the seven candidates vying for the role have laid out their visions for the future of the Olympic Movement. While their manifestos cover a range of topics – including governance, sustainability, and athlete welfare – each candidate presents a unique perspective on how future host cities will be selected, supported, and shaped by their policies.

Here’s how the key proposals could impact cities bidding for and hosting the Olympic Games.

Lord Sebastian Coe: greater accountability for host cities

Coe introduces a bold governance reform: an initial four-year presidential term with a confidence vote for renewal. If implemented, this could create a more dynamic leadership approach that holds the IOC accountable to its promises – something host cities have long demanded.

His emphasis on modernising the Olympic brand and broadcasting strategies also suggests a stronger focus on ensuring host cities benefit from global media engagement, helping them maximise commercial and tourism opportunities.

Kirsty Coventry: athlete-centric host cities

Coventry’s manifesto prioritises athlete welfare, which could influence how host cities plan their venues, accommodations, and support services.

She also calls for leveraging AI and digital platforms to enhance engagement with younger audiences. For host cities, this could mean greater emphasis on interactive fan zones, esports integrations, and digital-first engagement strategies to make the Games more appealing to the next generation.

Johan Eliasch: sustainability and flexibility in hosting

Eliasch is the most radical when it comes to rethinking the structure of the Games. He proposes a rotational hosting model for the Winter Olympics, where specific cities or regions would repeatedly host the event. This would significantly reduce costs and environmental impact, making the Winter Games more accessible to cities that struggle with long-term infrastructure investments.

Additionally, his manifesto calls for a complete review of all sports and event formats to enhance their appeal to fans – potentially leading to changes that affect venue requirements and the commercial viability of hosting.

HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein: a more inclusive bidding process

Prince Feisal emphasises modernising and democratising the Olympic bidding process. His proposal to raise the IOC membership age limit from 70 to 75 could allow for greater continuity in the Games’ strategic direction.

For host cities, a notable idea is the creation of an "Olympic Agenda 2036," which includes integrating cultural festivals into the Youth Olympic Games. This would encourage cities to rethink their event planning beyond just sporting venues, potentially making the Games a broader cultural and tourism initiative.

David Lappartient: more transparent selection and host representation

Lappartient focuses on governance reforms that could reshape how cities are chosen to host the Games. He proposes:

• Reducing the number of IOC commissions to streamline decision-making
• Hosting an Olympic Congress, where all stakeholders – including prospective host cities – can discuss the future of the Games
• Achieving gender parity within the IOC by 2036, potentially influencing the selection of host cities based on their commitment to gender equity in sport

His emphasis on broader participation in IOC decisions could make the host selection process more transparent and inclusive.

Juan Antonio Samaranch: restoring full member voting for hosts

Samaranch seeks to return Olympic host city selection to a full IOC membership vote, reversing recent changes that shifted the decision-making power to the Executive Board.

This would bring greater transparency and competition back to the bidding process. Cities bidding for future Games would need to engage more directly with the entire IOC membership rather than focusing on a smaller group of decision-makers.

Morinari Watanabe: a multi-host Olympic model

Watanabe presents the most dramatic change for host cities: a decentralised Olympic model, where the Games are hosted simultaneously across multiple continents. This approach aims to:

• Reduce the financial burden on a single host city
• Increase global participation
• Expand the commercial reach of the Games

If implemented, this would completely reshape how cities approach Olympic bidding and planning, moving from a single-city model to a shared responsibility between regions or nations.

what’s at stake for future host cities?

While all candidates recognise the need for sustainability, financial viability, and inclusivity, their approaches differ significantly. Some, like Samaranch and Lappartient, advocate for greater transparency in the bidding process, while others, like Eliasch and Watanabe, propose fundamental changes to how and where the Games are hosted.

For cities considering a bid, these manifestos highlight key questions:

• Will the host selection process become more democratic or remain streamlined under the Executive Board?
• Will future Games prioritise financial sustainability with rotational or multi-host models?
• How will digital and AI-driven engagement reshape expectations for host cities?

The next IOC president’s policies will shape not just the future of the Games, but also the cities that host them.

The hugely popular South Asian sport of kabaddi is making history from 17th to 23rd March as its World Cup comes to the West Midlands, UK – the first edition to take place outside Asia.

The South Asian sport’s journey to the global stage has been a long time in the making.

Ashok Das, President of World Kabaddi grew up in India before settling in the UK. “We started Kabaddi in the British Army, in universities, and dreamed of the big one: the World Cup. Today the dream is coming true, of hosting the first ever Kabaddi World Cup outside Asia, in the West Midlands,” he said.

The host region has invested from its Commonwealth Games legacy fund for the event.

“The Commonwealth Games was a launchpad for a golden decade of major events. We wanted to deliver events that have purpose and impact,” said Joel Lavery, Strategic Lead Major Sporting Events for the West Midlands Growth Company.

“We’re a region that is very diverse and we want to make sure that we host events that represent the communities that we want to celebrate and inspire.”

Kabaddi aims for the Games

The ultimate goal for many sports is to get on the programme of a major multi-sport event like the Olympic or Commonwealth Games, and kabaddi is no exception.

“Kabaddi is more than 4,000 years old, and we carry the dream of getting the sport into the Commonwealth and then the Olympic Games,” said Das.

The next Commonwealth Games takes place in Glasgow in 2026 with a streamlined and sustainable format.

“For us to do something positive in 2026 is very important,” said Prem Singh, CEO, British Kabaddi League and founder member of Scottish Kabaddi. “We’re hoping we can bring a little bit of vibrancy with hosting a kabaddi event at the Commonwealth Games, hopefully in partnership with 2026. If that’s not possible, we’ll still be doing something there and inviting teams from the Commonwealth.”

Global growth

The organisers hope this will be the first of many World Cups to take place in new regions. “We’re doing this World Cup to give confidence to other nations that they can also host major events and promote their own communities,” said Singh.

“It’s a giant step for kabaddi kind! We hope to inspire America, Canada and right across the world – that’s one of our major goals. And I wouldn’t be surprised if in next five years a major championship will go to the Arab world.”

World Kabaddi is also developing an East African kabaddi league and a European super league. “Our whole goal is about setting the scene for future development,” said Singh.

“China gave entry to kabaddi in the Asian games in 1992,” said Das. “We are getting more young people from China involved.”

“TV advert to the world”

The media coverage that a major international event brings is vital for hosts and rightsholders alike.

“The media abroad, and also western media, can help us to promote kabaddi across the community,” said Das.

The Pro Kabaddi League final in Pune had a TV audience of 250 million people. “Those numbers are mind-blowing compared to UK audiences,” said Lavery. “We want more people to know about the West Midlands, to visit the West Midlands – this is our TV advert to the world.”

The Paddy Power Kabaddi World Cup 2025  will be screened on BBC iPlayer, Olympic Channel, DD Sports and Willow TV, with talkSPORT and sponsor Paddy Power will also provide coverage.

“Paddy Power coming on board will be lifting kabaddi onto a different level,” said Das, highlighting the betting company’s investments in community programmes.

“It’s not just about the event; it’s about setting up infrastructure in schools, colleges and universities,” said Singh. “It’s going to inspire an awful lot of people and to be the catalyst to hoping that people from South Asian communities will take a greater interest in sport, physical activity and going to watch matches.”

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – Host City 2024, the greatest international meeting of cities and sports, business and cultural events, took place  in Glasgow, Scotland on 3-4 December. The 11th edition of the annual conference brought together event professionals - including rights holders, city officials, event organisers and global brands - under the theme of “Inspiring Action Through Major Events”.

Speakers from all continents examined the evolving opportunities and challenges of hosting major events worldwide, with a particular focus on sustainability, innovation, and social impact.

Key takeaways

• Events are powerful platforms for positive change, extending beyond entertainment to foster community connections, advance sustainability, and create lasting legacies.
• Collaboration and partnership are essential for successful and impactful events.
• Sustainability must be approached holistically, integrating environmental, social, and economic considerations.
• Event organisers must embrace innovation and harness technology to enhance event experiences, streamline operations, and generate new revenue streams.
• Data is crucial for measuring event impact, informing future strategies, and demonstrating the value of events to stakeholders.

Social Impact and Legacy

This year's conference placed significant emphasis on the long-term impact of major events, moving beyond immediate economic benefits to consider their role in fostering social cohesion, promoting diversity, driving sustainability, and inspiring community engagement. The events industry is increasingly prioritising social impact and community engagement alongside economic considerations, demonstrating a shift towards a values-driven approach.

Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life said: "Events are not just a moment in time. They can be platforms that inspire action, and drive positive and sustainable change."

Vicki Miller, Chief Executive of VisitScotland said: “In a world often characterized by chaos and disconnect, events satisfy a deep human need for connection, with people increasingly prioritising experiences and social impact over mere entertainment.”

Sustainability

The conference highlighted the critical need for integrating sustainable practices into every aspect of event planning and delivery, from procurement to venue management. This includes reducing carbon footprints, promoting responsible resource consumption, and engaging in meaningful partnerships to achieve net-zero targets.

Jimena Saldana, CEO, Panam Sports Organisation said: “We still see sustainability as a cost when in actual fact it is a cost-saving. We need to tell that story much better.”

Innovation

The role of technology in shaping the future of events was explored, with discussions on how AI, augmented reality, and digital platforms can enhance audience engagement, streamline operations, and generate new revenue streams. Delegates also discussed the growing importance of data in evaluating event impact and informing future strategies.

Maria Teresa Squillaci, Head of Web & Social Content, Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 said: “All of us working in organising major events face the same challenges. One of those challenges is engaging with the young generation in a new way. Through AI, we hope we will be able in 2026 to deliver personalised highlights.”

Event delivery

Effective execution and risk mitigation was a key topic. Events success hinges on meticulous planning, clear roles, and open collaboration among stakeholders to prevent "grey areas" and address unforeseen challenges. Scenario testing, adaptability, partnerships and proactive communication are essential in enabling teams to pivot when issues arise.

Sabrina Ibáñez, Secretary General, FEI and President, Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations (APSO) said: “There’s a sequence to follow - what’s the issue, can we fix it, do we have a termination clause, who needs to know about the cancellation, and what’s our plan B? Everyone needs to know what that plan is in advance.”

Harvey Goldsmith CBE, music promoter said: “Risk aversion is an issue. Health and safety regulations can be overblown and used to stop events taking place.”

Reimagining the economics of events

Discussions centred on exploring alternative funding models, such as co-hosting and public-private partnerships, to ensure the financial sustainability of major events, particularly in light of tightening public budgets.

Joel Lavery, Strategic Lead Major Sporting Events at West Midlands Growth Company said: “Local authorities and governments have too much competitive pressure on budgets. So rights holders need to do more to develop commercial partnerships with the private sector.”

Glasgow 2026

The upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow served as a recurring point of reference throughout the conference, showcasing the key themes in a real-world context. The organisers explained how the Games are being redesigned to make them more compact, with just four venues within walking distance, reducing operational costs and minimizing the carbon footprint associated with travel. They also echoed themes of adopting new financial models and community inclusion that were prevalent across the conference.

Katie Sadlier, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation said: “We are rethinking the economics - moving the Games out of major markets to a co-hosting model, where costs can be shared among host cities.”

George Black, Chair of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Organising Company said: “If we want the Games to have a sustainable impact on Glasgow, then we need to understand the city’s expectations from the start. That requires input from local communities, and especially young people.”

Collaboration

A recurring theme throughout the conference was the importance of collaboration between stakeholders, including rights holders, host cities, sponsors, suppliers, and communities. This includes shared responsibility for sustainability goals, transparent data sharing, and co-creation of legacy initiatives.

Joseph Piotrowski, VP of Sports Development at Florida Sports Foundation said: “Collaboration has been at the heart of the state’s success in this area. There are 36 partners across Florida that coordinate to cater to a diverse range of demographics and needs.” 

Tim Kasper, Account Manager for Sport & Culture, Explore Edmonton said: “Events in the city are planned by engaging with indigenous population and underrepresented groups. It makes events a movement for inclusion and cohesion.”

Prem Singh, CEO of British Kabaddi League said: “EDI policies don’t always reflect real-life. Organisations need to engage with communities directly when planning their events. Engagement is your friend, even if it means hearing tough lessons.”

Inaugural Host City Award Winners

Host City 2024 also saw the launch of the Host City Awards, celebrating excellence, innovation, engagement and impact in hosting major events. UEFA EURO 2024 Host City Berlin won the award for Impactful Event Hosting; OnePlan won the award for Resourceful Event Delivery; and BLAST won the award for Engaging the Audience.

Host City 2024 was delivered with the support of Global Presenting Partners and Hosts, Glasgow Life and EventScotland.

The inaugural Host City Awards will take place in Glasgow, Scotland to celebrate exceptional accomplishments in hosting, delivering and promoting major events.

The awards form part of the Host City 2024 conference, hosted at the Technology & Innovation Centre on 3-4 December, with winners announced during the Civic Reception and Dinner at the City Chambers on the evening of December 3.

The Impactful Event Hosting award will recognise destinations that demonstrate economic impact, social engagement and environmental sustainability of a major event.

The Resourceful Event Delivery award is open to suppliers and organising committees that have delivered cost-effective, innovative, and sustainable solutions for a major event.

The third category, Engaging the Audience, recognises rights holders that demonstrate significant audience growth and inclusion while innovating fan experiences.

Organisations registered to attend the Host City 2024 conference are eligible to enter for free by 30th October, submitting concise written entries and optional supporting materials.

The diverse judging panel of renowned experts includes Harvey Goldsmith CBE, Promoter, Allegra Roccato, Head of Events, World Physiotherapy, Ralph Straus, Commercial Director, FEI, Jennifer Arnold, Vice President, U.S. Soccer Foundation, Iain Edmondson, Founder, Legacy Delivery, Sarah Lewis OBE OLY, Prem Singh CEO British Kabaddi League, Joanne Deponio, UEFA EURO 2028 UK & Ireland, The FA and Brian Lewis, Immediate Past President, Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee.

This year’s conference boasts an impressive lineup of speakers from around the world, representing top organisations in sports, entertainment, and event management.

Under the theme of “Inspiring Action”, delegates will hear from:

• Marisol Casado, IOC Member and President of World Triathlon
• Katie Sadleir, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation
• Susan Deighan, Chief Executive, Glasgow Life
• Vicki Miller, current Director of Marketing and Digital and incoming Chief Executive Officer at VisitScotland
• Harvey Goldsmith CBE, renowned concert promoter and founder of Earth Aid Live
• Sabrina Ibáñez, Secretary General of the FEI and President of APSO
• Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, DL, Independent Crossbench Peer, The House of Lords
• Shiny Fang, Secretary General of the UIPM
• Richard Smith CBE, Chief Operating Officer of the Invictus Games
• John Langford, COO of AEG Europe
• Colin Grahamslaw, Secretary General of World Curling
• Céline Payell, Vice-President and General Manager of Events & Experiences at Cirque du Soleil
• Matlohang Moiloa-Ramoqopo, IOC Member and Vice-President of ANOCA
• and many more to be announced.

These distinguished figures will share their expertise on a wide range of topics, including technology’s role in event transformation, sustainability strategies, diversity and inclusion, and creating lasting legacies for host cities.

Host City 2024 promises to be an exceptional gathering of global thought leaders, offering unparalleled networking opportunities and insights into the future of event hosting and city development.

Host City 2024 takes place with the support of Hosts and Global Presenting Partners: Glasgow Life and EventScotland, part of VisitScotland.

Vicki Miller, current VisitScotland Director of Marketing and Digital; and incoming Chief Executive Officer, said: “Events play an important role in our communities, bringing a wide range of economic and social benefits while strengthening our position as a world-leading tourism and events destination.

“As the largest meeting of cities, and sports, business and cultural events, we are proud to be continuing our support of Host City as Global Presenting Partner.

“I’m honoured to be joining the line-up of esteemed speakers from around the world to take an in depth look at the role events play in inspiring action at a local, national and international level.”

Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life, said: “Glasgow is globally renowned for its expertise in delivering world-class events which attract visitors from near and far, boost our economy and international profile, and support the city’s health and wellbeing agenda.

“We are proud of our track record and reputation as a trusted partner and first-choice destination for major brands and worldwide event organisers. We are also committed to ensuring our hosting of events creates a genuine legacy and positive long-term benefits for Glasgow’s diverse communities through a strategic approach to innovation, inclusivity and sustainability.

“The city is delighted to be welcoming Host City again – bringing together international event owners, federations, and wider stakeholders to share insights and experience, and to debate and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. It’s a privilege to be part of this important conversation.”

Host City Awards

Host City is launching the Host City Awards, to celebrate excellence in hosting, delivering and promoting major sports, business and cultural events worldwide. The winners will be revealed at Host City 2024. To find out more and enter, visit https://www.hostcity.com/host-city-awards.

[Source: Sport Event Denmark] The UCI Gran Fondo Svendborg 2024 was an unforgettable cycling event with 1,700 entries. The race, held on the weekend of June 8-9, featured fantastic cycling, with participants also getting the chance to qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2024, to be staged in Aalborg, Denmark from August 28 to September 1.

More than just a race, UCI Gran Fondo Svendborg was a celebration that brought together cycling enthusiasts of all levels. The event evolved over the weekend, ending in heavy rain and hail. Despite the harsh weather on Sunday, many riders expressed their plans to return, especially in better weather.

"I've got diamonds in my legs. It was just my kind of weather! We had plenty of rain, hail, wind, and sun. It wasn't for the faint-hearted. The route was fantastic and well-organised," said TV chef Claus Holm, who cycled the Medio Fondo with friends.

Jesper Tikøb, Event Director, Danish Cycling Federation, highlighted the importance of the event: "We have a great interest in all aspects of cycling. We are pleased to contribute to both national and international cycling experiences for riders of all ages and levels. Events like the UCI Gran Fondo allow us to involve local clubs, ensuring they become part of these major events. The support from the host city and Sport Event Denmark is also indispensable."

Sport Event Denmark also expressed satisfaction with the event's execution: "Denmark has showcased our unique cycling DNA through these UCI Gran Fondo races, where both amateur and professional riders take centre stage," said Lars Lundov, CEO of Sport Event Denmark.

UCI Gran Fondo Svendborg is a testament to the thriving cycling culture in Denmark. We now look forward to the World Championships in Aalborg, where many of Svendborg's participants will compete for world titles.

UCI Gran Fondo Svendborg was organised by the Danish Cycling Federation in collaboration with Svendborg Municipality, Destination Fyn, and Sport Event Denmark.

Facts about UCI Gran Fondo Svendborg:

1,700 entries, with 259 in Saturday's time trial.

Participants from 31 nations.

The top 25% in each category qualified for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Aalborg from August 28 to September 1.

Over 100 volunteers ensured a smooth event.

The event took a step towards greener practices by not distributing goodie bags. Prizes were limited to a bouquet of flowers for all winners, and the top 3 finishers received a bag of mixed flower seeds to promote environmental sustainability. Participants were encouraged to plant these seeds to foster a greener future.

To mark World Environment Day (5 June), the organisers of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships have today published the event’s Sustainability Report, bringing together the various activities and impacts achieved by the inaugural event which took place in Glasgow and across Scotland from 3-13 August.

[Source: EventScotland] As a purpose-led event, the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships were committed to embedding sustainability into the organisation, collaborating with partners and supporting the value chain to drive progress to create a greener and more sustainable future for both cycling events as well as for Scotland.

The report builds on the independent Ernst & Young socio-economic impact evaluation report published on 7 February 2024.

Sustainability was a core objective in delivering an innovative, world-class event that would provide a model for the future. The Championship’s Sustainability Framework and its ten high-level commitments were put in place, outlining core values and guiding principles mapped against the pillars of ‘People, Place and Planet’ in alignment with and to drive progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships also signed the United Nations Sport for Climate Action Framework and was one of the founding signatories of the UCI’s Climate Action Charter, further cementing its ambitions to reduce cycling’s environmental impacts.

As part of its commitment to sustainability, the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds undertook a voluntary Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) assessment mapped against the UN SDGs and using the UCI’s new Sustainability Impact Tracker. The report showed the Championships contributed to 14 out of 17 UN SDGs, demonstrating the wide range of sustainable activities undertaken, highlighting the commitment to a sustainable approach to event delivery. 

The Championships were also the first event to use the UCI’s Sustainability Impact Tracker to measure its carbon emissions, with the report showing the total carbon footprint of the event calculated as 61.1ktCO2e. Most of these emissions fall within Scope 3 “Other indirect emissions” with the biggest contributing factors being in the ‘travel’ category. This benchmark data will benefit future combined UCI Cycling World Championships and other major sporting events in Scotland and the UK.

Other achievements highlighted in the report include:

• 86% of stakeholders felt the Championships were delivered in an environmentally responsible way.
• Appointment of EDP (Event Delivery Partners) Sustainability Champions to implement and drive sustainability measures within each individual event.
• Development of a ‘Good Food Charter’ and the establishment of the Event Delivery Partners Sustainability Champions network, with learning and best practice captured to provide a blueprint for future events.
• the creation of a Sustainable Procurement Code, which provided a link across the Championship’s Hub and Spoke delivery model, raising awareness of the minimum standards expected to support sustainability, EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) and low carbon emissions ambitions.

The Championships’ commitment to sustainability also included social responsibility, with the report highlighted:

• 97% of people who attended the event felt it was inclusive.
• 93% of spectators with a disability found the event to be accessible.
• Over 90% of attendance at events were non-ticketed, facilitating greater access to watch and take part.

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships’ ambition to drive awareness and highlight the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion have been recognised, winning the Diversity in Sport Award and Diversity by Design Award at the Herald & Gen Analytics Diversity Awards and the Access All Areas Diversity and Inclusion Awards.  

The Sustainability Report, along with other reports produced by the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds Championships, will provide a baseline and a blueprint for future events. Read the full report.

David Lappartient, UCI President, said: “Tackling climate change is one of the priorities of the UCI’s Agenda 2030, with one of our aims being to make our UCI World Championships carbon neutral or negative. To do this, we need a base to work from, and I am delighted that we have a solid Sustainability Report from the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. The local organisers of last year’s inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships made great headway when it comes to sustainability and social responsibility, and I look forward to this momentum being continued at future UCI events.”

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships were a truly memorable event and an excellent platform to showcase Scotland’s commitment to building a sustainable future.

"This report shows that large international sporting events can successfully embed environmental and social responsibility as a core principle, benefitting the wider community as well as athletes and fans.

“It's further evidence that the powerful legacy of the Championships extends beyond simply winning medals – in addition to boosting Scotland's economy and inspiring healthier lifestyles, they have also set the standard for innovative, world-class events."

Paul Bush OBE, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships Chairman, said: “The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships aimed to champion sustainability in the world of sport, and we are proud of the effort we have made to drive meaningful change.

“The Sustainability Report provides useful insight, learnings and recommendations that will help deliver sustainable events and encourage innovation in the future.

“Collaboration and partnership working were vital to achieving our sustainability objectives and I thank everyone, from our funding partners, event delivery partners and local authority hosts to the athletes and spectators, for all their help in delivering on our ambitions.”

The inaugural 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships brought together 13 individual UCI Cycling World Championships, welcoming more than 7,000 elite and amateur cyclists from 131 countries, with around 1 million spectators attending over the 11 days of the event.

The Championships delivered significant social, economic and environmental benefits for Glasgow, Scotland and the UK, including £344m of incremental spend resulting in £205m Gross Value Added (GVA) economic impact for Scotland, and generated £220m Total Visitor Spend in Scotland. 

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships had a TV audience of 537 million. It was broadcast in 130 countries, totalling around 14,000 hours of programming, and around 200 million hours were watched live on television globally over 11 days.

On the day of signing an MoU with the hosts of the Istanbul 2027 European Games, Spyros Capralos, President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) highlighted AI as a “useful tool” for delivery of the mega event in Europe’s largest city.

He also highlighted the economic success of the previous edition of the Games, with talks with prospective hosts for 2031 set to begin soon.

“We know that artificial intelligence is an area which brings exciting opportunities and, in line with the Olympic artificial intelligence agenda, we'll explore how it can help us to optimise plans for the 2027 European Games,” said Capralos.

“AI is something that's new in our world and I think that there are many developments in sport, but also developments in other in other areas,” he told Host City during a press conference.

“Every Games has its challenges, and AI could be an extremely useful tool to help ensure efficient logistical planning in areas such as accommodation, transportation.”

The innovations that AI can bring to sport will be high on the agenda of the EOC General Assembly in Bucharest in June, he said.

“I think that going forward in the next three years, there are going to be lots of developments and we'll be on top of that.”

Bids for 2031 European Olympic Games

Following the General Assembly, the EOC will enter into discussions with prospective hosts for the 2031 European Olympic Games.

“We've had some cities that have expressed an interest” said Caparalos, referring to parties who were “not ready” to bid for 2027 but are now looking at 2031 instead.

“I think it's what is a very positive on this front is that, before we're looking for a host, we have concluded and agreed with our Turkish friends more than three years before the Games.

“So I think this is very good and it shows the success of the Games”

He cited a Deloitte report evaluating the previous Games in Kraków-Małopolska in 2023, which demonstrated that the benefits far outweighed the costs that associated with the Games.

“In today's world every government and every municipality is afraid of what the taxpayers will say, and from the report of Deloitte, we realised that the positive financial aspect of the Games was such that by sharing this with other cities, that will increase the interest.”

Caparalos also confirmed that Istanbul was building no new permanent venues for 2027 Games, “in line with IOC Agenda 20+5”, and focusing on upgrading existing venues.

“An event of this size relies on people having the expertise to ensure a successful event. Istanbul has proven itself in this respect throughout its hosting of several events; it has the people with the skills, the experience and the passion to host fantastic events.

“The EOC looks forward to working together to deliver a memorable Games, and a Games with innovation at the forefront.”

Capralos’ comments were made in a press conference in Rome marking the occasion of the European Olympic Committees, the Turkish Olympic Committee and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality signing a Memorandum of Understanding for the 2027 European Games.

The Games are likely to take place in the last 10 days of June in 2027, he said, with qualifying opportunities to the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 available in a number of sports.