Impact of environmental perceptions on participation satisfaction in sports events: a cross-sectional study based on the SOR theory

Purpose This study investigates the impact of environmental perceptions on participation satisfaction in sports events, drawing on the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) theory. It aims to elucidate how environmental factors influence event satisfaction and sustainable development in the context of competitive sports tourism. Design/methodology/approach The research employs a cross-sectional design, collecting 494 valid questionnaires from participants of three national championships. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze the mechanisms through which environmental perception (EP) affects satisfaction, with particular attention to the mediating role of participation motivation (PM) and the moderating effect of public trust (PT). Findings EP demonstrates a significant positive impact on participant satisfaction. PM serves as a key mediator in this relationship, while PT negatively moderates the relationship between PM and satisfaction. These findings highlight the complex interplay between environmental stimuli, psychological responses and social factors in shaping event experiences. Research limitations/implications This study relies on cross-sectional data, which limit the ability to examine the dynamic influence of environmental factors on participation behavior over time or establish causal direction. Future research could adopt longitudinal designs with repeated measurements to better capture temporal mechanisms and long-term effects. Furthermore, while power analysis indicated sufficient sample size, it depended on simplified statistical assumptions (e.g. independence, normality) that may not fully align with real-world data complexity, potentially affecting detection sensitivity. Future work should consider more flexible analytical approaches, such as simulation-based power estimation, to improve robustness and ecological validity in modeling behavioral outcomes. Practical implications This study recommends holistically optimizing the multi-dimensional environment, fostering high-quality motivation through psychological need fulfillment and implementing differentiated strategies contingent on trust levels to enhance participant satisfaction and ensure sustainable event success. Social implications This study’s social implications lie in linking competitive sports tourism with sustainable social development. Valuing environmental perceptions in events urges joint efforts from organizers, local communities and the public to protect ecosystems, raising societal environmental awareness. It also fosters social cohesion by aligning sports participation with green values, while supporting balanced regional development – eco-friendly events can boost local livelihoods and preserve cultural heritage, advancing inclusive and sustainable social progress. Originality/value This study makes three original contributions: it (1) extends SOR theory application to sports tourism contexts, (2) identifies PT as a novel moderator in the satisfaction formation process and (3) provides empirical evidence for environment-design strategies that can enhance both participant satisfaction and sustainable event management practices. The findings offer valuable insights for hospitality and tourism professionals seeking to optimize event experiences.