| Summary: | Recent decades have witnessed a substantial growth in mega and major sporting events paralleled by an equally dramatic competition amongst countries, towns, cities and stages that eager to host the events (Bull & Lovell, 2007:229). According to Darkey and Horn (2009:77), the hosting of international mega or major sport events in particular and their related tourism activities, presents the host country and its region with a unique opportunity to boost economic growth and social development. South Africa has been the world’s stage in hosting major and mega sports events that drew the world’s attention to this developing country of Southern Africa. The legacy of the Rugby World Cup 1995, the first mega event after the democracy in South Africa in 1994, the Cricket World Cup in 2003, the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 and the latest FIFA World Cup 2010 are few examples of the opportunities provided by major and mega events (Jago et al., 2010:221). This study was aimed at determining the local residents’ perceptions of the impacts of the Confederations Cup 2009 within the city of Tshwane, as a host city. The data collection took place two (2) months prior to the event in 2009 and it covered nine (9) areas within Tshwane. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA, and the findings indicated that in general the respondents had a neutral perception of the impacts of the Confederations Cup 2009. This study provides future event planners and managers with insight into the hosting of mega and major events in terms of local resident’s support and participation in the event.
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