Jon Tibbs, The Strategy of Sport: How Geopolitics Shapes Host Cities

Editor's Note: This episode was recorded live at the 2026 Sports ETA Symposium in April. As a result, some discussions reference upcoming events and opportunities that have since taken place.Live from Las Vegas, this is Symposium Sessions, featuring exclusive interviews and educational highlights from the 2026 Sports ETA Symposium. Join us as we dive into the latest trends in sports events and tourism with the industry’s top leaders and innovators.In this week's episode, we pull back the curtain on the world of international sports politics. While many consultancies focus on the logistics of an event, JTA specializes in the intricate "International Relations" that happen behind the scenes—a field often more complex and high-stakes than mainstream politics.We discuss immediate, actionable steps destinations can take to establish themselves as global players and look ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Join us as we explore what this massive tournament means for U.S. host cities through a geopolitical lens, moving beyond the scoreboard to understand the true impact of hosting the world's most popular sport.Key Takeaways:Why sports diplomacy is the "hidden engine" of successful hosting.Tangible strategies for destinations to apply to their current sports marketing.A geopolitical preview of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.