Join the summer of sport: Work at major sporting events

Every summer, sport dominates the global stage and this year is World Cup year! From World Cups to Commonwealth Games and from Wimbledon to The Open Championships, the world’s biggest events capture attention far beyond those lucky enough to be inside the stadium. But while millions watch these moments unfold, far fewer appreciate the scale of the workforce behind them. Major sporting events are powered by huge teams spanning operations, marketing,  communications, technology, fan experience, logistics, partnerships, hospitality, and venue delivery. And right now, many of those teams are still hiring.

If you are looking to build a career in sport—or accelerate one already in motion— the upcoming sporting calendar creates a genuine window of opportunity. Importantly, these aren’t just temporary event-day jobs. Many major events recruit across multiple stages of the event cycle. Some organisations (LOC’s) are currently focused on workforce and venue delivery ahead of this summer’s competitions, while others are already building long-term teams for future tournaments including 

That means there are opportunities both to join the delivery teams behind this summer’s major events or position yourself earlier within the planning and growth phases of future tournaments.

Why Major Events Are Such Valuable Career Accelerators

Working in major events exposes you to a side of the sports industry that’s difficult to replicate elsewhere.

You’re operating in environments where:

• Decisions move quickly

• Teams work cross-functionally

• Stakeholder management is constant

• Pressure and visibility are high

• Every detail matters

The pace is intense, but that’s also what makes the experience so valuable.

Whether you’re working in operations, communications, partnerships, workforce management, digital content, or fan engagement, major events force rapid development. You gain exposure to how global sporting organisations operate in practice—not just strategically, but operationally.

They also expand your network quickly. Major events bring together governing bodies, agencies, brands, venues, broadcasters, suppliers, and rights holders, creating relationships that often lead to future opportunities across the industry.

If you’re considering whether this area of sport is right for you, read our guide on Why major events are the ultimate career choice.

Opportunities available right now

FIFA Football World Cup 2026

Very almost upon us and taking place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, recruitment activity is continuing to scale across host cities and venue operations.

Current opportunities are heavily focused around venue and event delivery, with host cities recruiting for roles connected to:

• Stadium and venue operations

• Workforce and volunteer coordination

• Guest experience and fan services

• Accreditation and access management

• Logistics and event support

• Venue administration and operational planning

What makes this stage of the cycle particularly interesting is the scale of the operation. With matches spread across multiple countries and cities, there is demand for professionals across a wide range of venues and functions.

Explore current FIFA World Cup 2026 opportunities here

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games presents a different type of opportunity profile at this stage of the cycle.

Alongside game-time operational recruitment, there is also growing demand across areas connected to event promotion, storytelling, and public engagement.

Current opportunities include roles across:

• PR and communications

• Content and digital media

• Marketing and audience engagement

• Event delivery and project management

• Operations and workforce support

For candidates interested in the commercial, communications, or fan-facing side of sport, this creates an opportunity to contribute to how the Games are positioned and experienced—not just how they are delivered operationally.

Explore Glasgow 2026 opportunities here

Looking ahead: The next generation of events

One of the smartest career moves in sport is joining major events earlier in the event cycle. While games-time roles offer intensity and exposure, earlier-stage opportunities often provide broader strategic experience and longer-term development. For example, teams are coming together for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 and Rugby World Cup 2027 as well as UEFA EURO 2028 (LOC)

At this stage, recruitment tends to focus more on:

• Tournament planning

• Commercial partnerships

• Marketing strategy

• Host city engagement

• Infrastructure and workforce planning

• Governance and project delivery

For professionals looking to build long-term careers in major events, these roles can offer deeper involvement in how tournaments are shaped from the ground up.

5 ways to make your application stand out for major events roles

1. Show you understand the stage of the event cycle

Hiring needs change significantly depending on where an event sits in its lifecycle.

A venue operations role six months before a tournament requires a different mindset to a strategic planning role three years out.

Strong applications reflect this understanding. Research what the organisation is trying to achieve right now and tailor your experience to match those priorities.

2. Demonstrate you can operate in fast-paced environments

Major events rarely run in perfectly controlled conditions. Employers look for candidates who can:

• Adapt quickly

• Stay organised under pressure

• Manage changing priorities

• Work effectively across multiple stakeholders

The strongest candidates don’t just say they’re adaptable—they demonstrate it through examples.

3. Don’t underestimate transferable experience

Many successful event professionals entered sport from industries including:

• Hospitality

• Entertainment

• Live events

• Travel and tourism

• Media and broadcasting

If you’ve worked in customer-facing or operational environments, you likely already have highly relevant skills. The key is translating that experience into the language of sport and event delivery.

4. Make your motivation specific

One of the quickest ways applications become forgettable is through generic enthusiasm, share specifics and give evidence to back it up:

• Why this event interests you specifically

• What excites you about the role itself

• Which aspects of event delivery you want to develop experience in

Specificity makes applications feel more credible and intentional.

5. Show that you understand collaboration

Major events are built through collaboration across hundreds of teams, suppliers, partners, and stakeholders. Your application should clearly demonstrate:

• Communication skills

• Teamwork

• Stakeholder management

• Ability to work across different functions and environments

In many event environments, these qualities matter just as much as technical expertise.

Join the action

Major sporting events are some of the most visible moments in global sport—but they’re also some of the most valuable career-building environments in the industry. Whether you’re looking to break or transition into sport, gain experience at live events, or position yourself for long-term opportunities in the sector, The summer events cycle offers genuine opportunities to get involved – for this year and in the future. Explore all major events opportunities currently live with Global Sports Jobs here.