ABSTRACT
This opener will set the scene for the book, Sport Mega-Events, Security and COVID-19. It does so by outlining Euro 2020’s politically unique and untested European-wide hosting format, the rise of security complexes at contemporary mega-events, and the catastrophic COVID-19 pandemic that intensified in the early months of 2020. Ultimately, Euro 2020, modern-day mega-event security governance and COVID-19 – both individually and inter-connectedly – raise a series of pressing sociological and political questions. Consequently, these inform this book’s rationale and aims. Moreover, the opener will discuss the book’s original contributions, its case study approach and its data, including qualitative interviews, documentary research and media sources. Finally, the scene-setter provides a summary of the remainder of the book and its chapters.
