Ireland’s first-ever Major International Sports Events Policy and Strategy Framework published

Policy seeks to build on Ireland’s success in hosting major international sports events to date

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, and the Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, have today published a new government policy and strategy framework for the hosting of Major International Sports Events.

This is the first policy of its kind in Ireland and follows a comprehensive public consultation process, including direct engagement with sports bodies, consultation with key stakeholders and a review of comparable policies in other jurisdictions.

The publication of the Major International Sports Events Policy and Strategy Framework stems from a commitment under the Programme for Government to develop a strategy to identify the type of major sporting events Ireland can and should bid for and how these events can be used to increase sporting participation, encourage domestic and international tourism, and promote Ireland.

The policy, in both Irish and English, can be found here

Speaking today, Minister Catherine Martin said:

“It is important that when we invest in Major Sports Events we are clear about the benefits we wish to achieve from that investment. This policy and strategy framework will guide officials, national governing bodies of sport and event promoters in developing proposals for major international sports events to deliver optimal outcomes and benefits.

“Sport-related tourism is a very significant element of world tourism, with a multi-million euro market and a huge potential for countries who position themselves correctly. Major International Sports Events provide a unique opportunity to highlight the island of Ireland as a wonderful holiday destination, as well as a top location for sporting events.”

Minister Thomas Byrne added:

“Ireland has proven its ability to successfully host major international sports events on numerous occasions in the past and the publication of this policy seeks to build on that success. As well as being great sporting occasions in themselves, major international sports events have the potential to drive participation in sport and create meaningful sporting legacies. They contribute to trade, tourism, community engagement, regional development and economic growth. These events also drive national pride by placing Ireland on the global stage and affect both how we see ourselves as a nation and how we are viewed internationally.

“In publishing Ireland’s first-ever Major International Sports Events Policy and Strategy Framework, the Government is setting out a more strategic approach when it comes bidding for, and hosting, major international sports events. We want to maximise the benefits for Ireland and ensure a lasting sports participation legacy whenever Ireland hosts such events. I look forward seeing this work further advanced.”

Notes to Editors

Programme for Government Commitment

In the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future, there is a commitment to:

“Develop a strategy to identify the type of major sporting events we can and should bid for (in particular those cancelled because of COVID-19), and how these events can be used to increase sporting participation, encourage domestic and international tourism, and promote Ireland.”

The publication of this policy and strategy framework delivers on that Government commitment.

Purpose of the Policy Strategy and Framework

The Major International Sports Events Policy and Strategy Framework (the “policy”) sets out a strategic approach to bidding for major international sports events and to maximise the benefits of such events whenever Ireland hosts them. The policy outlines:

•the background and context to Ireland hosting major international sports events;

•the policy development process to date;

•the learnings from that process; and

•the initial policy recommendations necessary for the further development of that strategy (in particular the proposed priorities that the state should adopt in assessing events for support).

Priorities

In respect of any proposal to host a major international sport event, the following priority event types will be taken into account by the department:

1.Events that ensure an economic return, both at national and regional level, will be a primary consideration.

2.Events that ensure a sporting benefit, at high-performance level and in terms of boosting participation levels, will be a primary consideration.

3.Events that are suitable to the Irish environment, utilise existing infrastructure as far as possible, and maximise return from investment in existing infrastructure.

4.Events of resonance and appeal to Irish people that will generate interest and pride, particularly mega events.

5.Events that have the potential to project Ireland on the international stage in locations of importance from a tourism and other perspectives.

6.Events that deliver a strong regional impact and profile.

7.Events that have the potential to deliver on a wide range of government policy objectives including, but not limited, to:

a.Climate impact and sustainability;

b.International relations;

c.North-South co-operation; and

d.Diversity – (including gender, ability, ethnicity, sexual orientation).

1.Events that can be evaluated as fully as possible prior to bidding. While the timelines required will vary, sufficient time for assessment will be needed.

2.Events that have the potential to deliver follow-on events and develop Ireland as a desired hosting location.

3.Events that can form part of a portfolio with a range of events of various sports, sizes and locations. In this context, it is acknowledged that not all events tick all the boxes and some may deliver more strongly on some priorities than others but the overall portfolio of events must seek to deliver the full range of agreed policy priorities.

4.Unless in exceptional circumstances, to have a maximum of no more than two mega events in any five-year period.

5.Events that ensure respect for human rights in line with Ireland’s legal obligations under domestic, EU and international law.

6.Events that will maintain public support and confidence in the integrity of sport.

7.Events that adhere to best practices on the prevention of corruption in sport and demonstrate respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.

8.Events that avoid clashes with existing or other targeted events.

Benefits of hosting major events

Hosting a major international sport event has the potential to deliver a range of benefits and opportunities, while simultaneously, having the potential to be costly and risky. Benefits can range from a short-term economic boost through direct tourism to longer-term sporting, social and economic benefits.

•Events can support both high performance sport with high performance athletes benefitting from the opportunity to compete at home in front of Irish audiences and at a high level.

•Events can provide opportunities to boost participation levels in sport and physical activity, amongst all age groups, both through the profile of the event and related legacy programmes.

•Events can bring thousands of visitors to Ireland, both with the express purpose of attending the event and as a result of the publicity and exposure received due to the event. These visitors support tourism, Ireland’s largest indigenous economic sector, and can underpin the sustainable development (environmental, economic and societal) of the sector into the future. For example, the US College Football games regularly bring in tens of thousands of US visitors who travel to every corner of the island, as well as reaching an audience of millions across US broadcast and sport media.

•International events can highlight the country’s tourism offering and are often used by tourism agencies as a valuable marketing tool.

•International events can provide an international platform to raise Ireland’s profile and. A well run event can demonstrate and project an image of a country capable of delivering large complex projects and hosting international bodies with a consequent positive impact on business.

•Events can also shine a light on minority sports and promote diversity in sports participation.

•Joint bids with other countries have the potential to build international relations and co-operation at inter-governmental level, particularly all-island events e.g. UEFA EURO 2028.

•Regionally held events can bring both economic development and an international profile e.g. Ryder Cup in Limerick and Volvo Ocean Race in Galway.

•An event can be a platform to amplify key national policies, such as using an event as an exemplar for sustainable practices.

Next steps

•The strategy framework will be further developed to build on the policy by setting out more detailed objectives, as well as defined goals and action points, for a defined period based on the agreed policy priorities.

•Through the further development of the strategy framework, greater detail the shape of the cross-government co-ordinated funding/decision making and support mechanism will be set out.

•The further development of the strategy framework will also consider the roles and responsibilities of all government partners in relation to managing bidding processes, event management, and evaluation. It will also consider how to implement a system to proactively seek out prospective events, develop a calendar and grow capability in the sector.

•Finally, a key next step in further developing the strategy framework will be the establishment of a working group of stakeholders to draft long-term goals and objectives along with actions to realise the goals.