Mega-sports events and stock market returns: The case of the 2022 World Cup

Abstract

This study examines the impact of the FIFA's official announcements on Doha Stock Exchange (DSE) of Qatar with respect to the 2022 World Cup. Using the abnormal unsystematic return method of Savickas, our findings reveal that the relationship between this sports mega-event and the DSE is significant, indicating that the market is very sensitive to FIFA's announcements about the 2022 World Cup. The highly significant reactions of the DSE reveal investors' positive (or negative) feelings that the government and private expenditure on medium- and long-term projects undertaken in anticipation of hosting the Cup will affect future trading volumes in DSE. Any future announcements, good or bad, are likely to affect companies investing in these huge projects, impacting on their share value and triggering portfolio reallocation by local and international investors, leading to increased abnormal return. Cognizant, LLC.