Case study, as a scientific research method of social science, has been widely used in sport management. To date, there have been scarce attempts to systematically review how the case study method has been applied in sport management. In this regard, the key objective of this study is to present a general picture of case study research in sport management over the decade. To achieve our objective, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted in four leading sport management journals published from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2023. The primary objective of an SLR is to address a focused research question by systematically identifying, appraising, and summarizing all available evidence by both authors. Result: The results show that the primary focus areas were organization and governance (n=31), sport events and leverage (n=29), sport-for-development (n=16), and community development (n=14). The frequency of case studies varied year by year. Ian O’Boyle and Michael Hutchinson stood out as prolific authors, contributing five and three articles, respectively. 61.5% of the articles applied theoretical frameworks, with escalation of commitment theory, stakeholder theory, and social inclusion theory being frequently used. Single-case studies were most common (n=46), followed by multiple-case (n=38) and double-case studies (n=7). Data collection predominantly involved two sources (n=59), with an average of 23 interviewees per study. Notably, the average interviewees of JSM were 27, followed by 25 of SMR, 21 of ESMQ, and 12 of IJSMS. Data analysis methods varied, with within-case analysis being the most prevalent (n=44), followed by within & cross-case analysis (n=40). Seven articles employed alternative methods such as thematic and network analysis. From the discussion, one may conclude that the application of case study methods in sport management research has provided profound insights into complex phenomena within the field. However, there are still three main issues that need to be discussed. Firstly, why are there still over half of the research in sport management applied to a single case study? Secondly, whether the case study method in sport management builds or tests theory? Lastly, why do scholars focus on sport organization, event, and development? Ultimately, this systematic review equips sports organizations with the strategic capabilities needed to enhance brand presence, operational efficiency, and overall impact, contributing to the sustainable growth and development of the sports industry on a global scale.
Chen et al. (2026) studied this question.