Measuring the legacy and impact of major events: a toolkit
R&D Science and Analysis Programme - Measuring the legacy and impact of major events: a toolkit
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In 2023, the R&D Science and Analysis Programme at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport commissioned an independent research project to explore methodologies and develop guidance for measuring the legacy and impact of major events within the UK. The project trialled methodologies for examining a mix of large or complex events across culture and sports, with a focus on longer term impact and legacy. It grounded these methodologies in HMG appraisal, monitoring, and evaluation principles, such as those set out in the HMT Green Book.
The research began in October 2023 and completed in July 2025. It was carried by a consortium of researchers at Ipsos UK, Sheffield Hallam University, University of Warwick - Warwick Business School and London School of Economics. Ipsos UK led the consortium.
The research team developed a set of methodologies for different kinds of complex or large sporting and cultural events. They then tested those methodologies on four case studies; The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, The Women’s and Men’s Cricket World Cups (2017 and 2019 respectively), the UK City of Culture Programme (Derry/Londonderry 2013 and Hull 2017), and the Manchester International Festival. The team also produced a toolkit that explains how to work with these methodologies.
The research is experimental. The focus was entirely on developing and trialling new methods, and on noting what works, what doesn’t, and why. As such, the case studies in the reports should not be considered evaluations or be used to assess the benefits of the event. At times the research team has chosen to not use the best available data or approaches in order to test whether inferences can still be made without optimal data or less complex statistical designs.
This report is a toolkit that explains how to work with the new methodologies.