As the world still recovers from the effects of COVID-19, the culture of large in-person sporting events is nowhere close to finished. Big games bring joy to the diverse crowd in the stands, who bond over their favorite teams and players. Sports games are a sign of hope and fun after being confined due to the pandemic. 

However, these events can still be a major public health concern. While it may not have been given a second thought before early 2020, large sporting events can become a breeding ground for widespread diseases in mere seconds. To be able to continue these events, places holding them must act accordingly to keep the fans, and by extension, the world, safe.

The United States is soon to have a large influx of visitors from across the globe, who have the potential to cause a new outbreak. The 60,000+ capacity Philadelphia Stadium is preparing for one of its most anticipated events in 2026: the FIFA World Cup. 

Over the course of 3 weeks, Philadelphia will host 6 games with a large worldwide audience. Philadelphia’s public health officials are gearing up for any potential health hazards. The city is currently hosting the FIFA Club World Cup (a smaller version of the actual World Cup) and is using this event to prepare for what needs to happen next year. 

Disease surveillance measures are in place—one includes identifying the countries of visitors and their respective health concerns. Measles, in particular, is a top health priority. It is a highly infectious respiratory disease that can spread like wildfire in large settings, especially if people are unvaccinated or have a compromised immune system. Health professionals are prepared to watch out for its key symptoms and to nip the spread of the disease in the bud. Health professionals across Philadelphia are collaborating on health protocols as a preventative measure for what they believe will be the inevitable.

Can an outbreak really occur from this event? Yes, as no amount of safety procedures can one hundred percent guarantee that a massive crowd, such as this one, will not have any consequences. 

At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, despite their “zero COVID” health protocols and lack of the large audience the Olympics are used to, many people involved in the event still suffered from respiratory disease. Athletes were put at risk as their behind-the-scenes personnel tested positive. 

A more recent event includes the 2024 Paris Olympics. Complacency in implementing strict health procedures resulted in participating athletes and the city of Paris being hit with a rise in COVID cases. More rules were put in place after an increase in positive tests.

Large sporting events still have major positive effects despite being a source and cause of concern. They bring unlikely people and large communities together and encourage physical activity. It’s still possible to bring together everyone from across the globe, while continuing to have detailed measures that can control these potential problems. Philadelphia is an example of the world making the effort to safely have these events while still keeping the public’s health at the forefront.