How do mega sports events foster campus renewal? A case study of the Chengdu Universiade

Purpose This study examines how mega sports events can facilitate campus renewal, with a focus on the multidimensional transformation of university spaces, infrastructure, and institutional functions. Taking the 31st Summer World University Games (Chengdu Universiade) as an empirical case, it explores how hosting event-related functions on campus contributes to sustainable and adaptive campus development. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a single case study approach, this research analyzes Chengdu University, which served as the designated site of the Universiade Village during the 2023 Chengdu Universiade. Guided by the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework and grounded theory methodology, the study examines campus transformation across three interconnected stages: event preparation, event implementation, and post-event adaptation. Empirical data were collected through policy document analysis, semi-structured interviews, field observations, and secondary sources. Inductive coding and thematic analysis were applied to identify the underlying mechanisms driving campus renewal. Findings The findings demonstrate that mega sports events do not inherently or automatically lead to campus transformation. Instead, sustained and meaningful renewal depends on the presence of enabling conditions such as policy alignment, institutional flexibility, and long-term integration of event-related resources. Campus renewal is shown to be a phased, context-sensitive process involving both material and organizational changes that extend beyond the event period. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on campus development by offering a process-oriented perspective on how mega sports events interact with university systems. It provides a conceptual and empirical basis for understanding how universities can respond to and leverage large-scale event opportunities to promote campus renewal. The study offers implications for planners, administrators, and decision-makers involved in higher education infrastructure and policy.