Assessment of the Perceived Socio-economic Impacts of Organizing a Major Sporting Event by Participants and Residents of the Host City: The Case of the 2019 African Games in Rabat

In the context of Morocco’s growing investment in international sports infrastructure—and with the 2025 AFCON and the 2030 FIFA World Cup on the horizon—this study underscores the need to evaluate the perceived socio-economic impacts of major sporting events from the perspective of host communities. The organization of such events generates a wide range of direct and indirect externalities, making public perception a critical dimension in strategic planning and policy justification. This research assesses the socio-economic impacts associated with the 12th African Games held in Rabat in 2019, by analyzing the perceptions of both residents of the host city and participants involved in the event's organization. A structured questionnaire was administered to a representative sample (N = 225), and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and non-parametric robustness tests (Kruskal–Wallis). The factorial structure of perceived impacts was first explored through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and then validated via Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), ensuring the construct validity of the model. Findings indicate a generally positive perception of the event’s socio-economic impacts across the sample. While no significant differences were observed between residents and non-residents, participants reported significantly higher positive perceptions than non-participants. No significant group differences were found regarding negative impacts. These results highlight the importance of stakeholder proximity and informational access in shaping event-related perceptions—an insight with direct implications for future mega-event planning and community engagement strategies.