International sports events such as the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, and Commonwealth Games serve as platforms for global visibility, economic growth, and national prestige. However, the successful organization of such mega-events depends on multiple interdependent factors. This study systematically reviews academic literature to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) in managing international sports events, applying the Resource-Based View (RBV) as the guiding framework. A systematic review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines, with Scopus and Web of Science as the primary databases. Out of 1,050 initial records, 42 academic papers were included for final analysis. The findings reveal that both tangible resources (e.g., facilities, financial input, volunteer workforce) and intangible resources (e.g., organizational capacity, reputation, stakeholder engagement) play pivotal roles in event success. Moreover, government policies, community involvement, and media engagement emerged as essential external influences shaping event outcomes. The study concludes that effective management of international sports events requires the integration of internal organizational strengths with supportive institutional frameworks. It further highlights gaps in existing research, including limited focus on events outside North America and Asia, and insufficient exploration of women’s and disability sports. The paper proposes a strategic framework to guide future host nations, especially in the Global South, in achieving sustainable and high-impact sports events.
Muhammad Aqib Khursheed (Tue,) studied this question.