Mega-Challenges for Mega-Event Flagships

The mega-event flagship (MEF) has enjoyed an increasing global popularity in mega-event catalysed urban renewal practices. Nevertheless, failures of heavily underused MEFs provide a reality check for those ambitious host cities. Even in the wake of the problem being ‘globalized’, related research is tangential, sporadic and reactive, which puts emerging mega-event hosts in a disadvantageous position. To rectify the imbalance, this article defines the MEF, reveals its nature, discusses its pressing problems and highlights its affiliated difficulties. Through a review of international literature and a case study from China, it is concluded that MEF development has become a global challenge. Host cities should raise their consciousness of crisis by asking ‘whether’, ‘why’ and ‘how’ before using such a high-risk approach.