ABSTRACT
Introduction In this closing contribution, we elaborate an agenda for future research on megaevent mobilities to complement contemporary scholarship. In the following discussion of themes in need of further exploration, theorising or empirical grounding, an overarching ‘mobilities’ perspective is applied, as well as a focus on ‘ambiguities’, based on the recurrent observation that mega-events are characterised by dualities and opposition. In line with the chapters in this book and the considered literature, this contribution has an empirical focus on editions of the Olympic Games. However, definitions of mega-events (cf. introduction of this book, Salazar) cover a plethora of types and do not imply a limitation to sport events, even though the World Cup Football and Olympic Games are recognised as primary examples due to their unequalled global reach. As a general reflection, we encourage an expansion of research on different types of mega-events. Moreover, we make a strong call for further development of methodological frameworks for the study of megaevents, advancing the scientific character of this research strand and furthering comparability of results. Furthermore, we have focused on English literature for practical reasons and are aware of the limitations this choice entails. However, the aim of this chapter is not to provide an exhaustive overview of lacunae in the literature nor a substantiated theoretical framework, but to point out potential research tracks that would constitute a relevant contribution to the literature.
