- Events
Major sporting events have the power to captivate and unite millions, forging vibrant connections between fans, athletes, the sports industry and host cities. Yet the very characteristics that make these events such powerful symbols of unity, dignity and peaceful competition - their global visibility, symbolic significance and ability to attract large crowds - can also make them attractive targets for terrorist actors and other malicious threats. Protecting major sporting events therefore requires comprehensive security planning, international cooperation and coordinated action across governments, law enforcement agencies, sports organizations and private-sector partners.
On 29 June 2026, on the margins of Counter-Terrorism Week 2026, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵOCT), together with Hungary and the State of Qatar, convened a high-level side event, "Protecting Major Sporting Events Delivery and Legacy in an Era of Complex Threats," at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The session brought together past and future organisers of major sporting events to share international best practices in safety, security protocols and inter-agency coordination.
United Nations Security Council resolution 2419 (2018) recognizes the contribution of sport to the realization of development and peace through the promotion of tolerance and respect. In its latest review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the General Assembly called upon Member States to strengthen the protection of vulnerable targets such as sporting events and their surrounding ecosystems ¨C from stadiums, fan zones, and athletes' villages, to transportation hubs, public spaces and digital infrastructure.
Since 2020, through the security governance workstream of its Global Sports Programme, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵOCT has been dedicated to safeguarding major sporting events from terrorist and related threats. Underpinned by a global network of 2,300 professionals representing Member States, sport federations and clubs, civil society and the private sector, the Programme fosters inter-agency collaboration and partnerships among Member States.
The discussion drew on recent milestones, including the "Road to Budapest" initiative and the 2026 UEFA Champions League Final hosted at the Pusk¨¢s Ar¨¦na, as well as the ongoing security operations of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Participants examined lessons in crowd management, venue and perimeter security, the protection of public spaces and fan festivals, and cross-border cooperation, while looking ahead to upcoming events including the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Doha. The side event reaffirmed Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵOCT's commitment to supporting Member States in protecting major sporting events, leveraging the momentum these events generate to strengthen international cooperation, advance a shared understanding of risks, and build a lasting security legacy for host cities and communities worldwide.
