Sports and urban development: an introduction

PurposeAlthough both sports and cities have transformed over the last century, research on the intersection of sports and urban development remains scarce. This special issue was designed to advance a research agenda in relation to sports and urban development. The sports and urban development special issue of International Journal of Sport Marketing and Sponsorship brings together a collection of conceptual, empirical and commentary papers from four continents. Themes explored in this special issue include legacy, governance, image, climate change and sustainability. We encourage collaborative approaches between sport researchers and those with a focus on urban development, urban design and urban governance. Understanding the role of sports in the development of smart cities is an excellent opportunity for these collaborations to occur.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive review of literature was undertaken to assess the literature related to sports and urban development.FindingsIn addition to this introductory article, there are ten manuscripts selected for this special issue investigating sports and urban development.Originality/valueThis special issue seeks to promote more research on sports and urban development, ultimately ultimately advancing theories and providing solutions.