Sport mega-events and security: the 2018 World Cup as an extraordinarily securitized event

Following 9/11, the security at sport mega-events (SMEs) has become increasingly central. Yet, this is an area where numerous scholars have called for further academic attention. The FIFA World Cups are commonly seen as the largest SME in the world, and will in 2018, be held in Russia. However, the existing trends of spectator violence and terrorism, in addition to the political situation in Russia, and concerns over a violent, racist, football culture in the host-country, makes the securitization of the 2018 World Cup extraordinary. Here, an analysis of the most prominent security threats ahead of Russia 2018 is provided. Further, it is argued that the extent of these threats – not the mere existence – makes Russia a unique case. Following calls for further academic attention dedicated security and SMEs – Russia should be utilized ‘for all it is worth’ – to gather spectators’ perceptions of SME security.