Motivations and satisfaction of sports tourists during the FIFA world cup in Qatar 2022

This study aimed to identify the motivations of sports tourists to attend Soccer World Cups and to determine the motivational dimensions that predict their satisfaction. The research took place in Doha, the capital of Qatar, during the FIFA World Cup in 2022, where 503 valid questionnaires were collected. Exploratory factor analysis and linear regression with the Enter method were used for data analysis. The results show four motivational dimensions: Sports Passion, Escape & Relaxation, Patriotism & Attachment, and Recreation. Additionally, a positive and significant relationship was found between the Escape & Relaxation factor and overall satisfaction. In contrast, a negative correlation was identified between the Patriotism & Attachment dimension and satisfaction. These findings will contribute to the academic literature related to the Soccer World Cups as part of sports tourism and will also assist sporting event organizers in developing marketing and management plans to benefit this tourist demand.