When the world arrives: Managing health risks and hospital capacity surges during mass gatherings

From patient surges in emergency departments to infectious disease outbreaks, how are hospitals preparing for an influx of people from around the world during mass-gathering events such as the World Cup?     

A global influx of people attending mass-gathering events such as the Olympics or the World Cup intensifies demand on healthcare services for host cities. Such mass gatherings, the World Health Organization (WHO) states, “can pose public health risks and strain the public health resources of the hosting community, city or country.”  As fans pack stadiums, the risk of adverse health incidents such as heat-related illnesses, cardiac events and substance-abuse-related injuries rises.

A recent report found spikes in substance-and trauma-related emergency department cases for up to 12 hours after mass-gathering events. As people travel from around the globe and gather in close proximity,  the risk of transmissible diseases also increases. For example, in 2018, the Norovirus hit the Winter Olympics in South Korea, an outbreak at the 2026 Milan-Cortina games impacted various teams and the 2026 Hantavirus hit a cruise ship, impacting residents of several different countries.   

With over 100 matches in 16 cities across Canada, Mexico and the U.S., the 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to attract more than 5 million fans in person, in addition to thousands of officials, media professionals, and team staff.

The readiness of hospitals and healthcare response teams is critical for the safety and well-being of visitors and local residents alike during such events. To meet the demands of tournaments of this scale, hospitals in host cities have been enhancing preparedness in staffing, triage, and cross-system coordination to manage additional pressure.   

Key health risks associated with global mass-gathering events   

Several health risks can be anticipated:   

Heat-related illness 

• Heat exhaustion and heat stroke—which can cause nausea, headaches and even death—are among the most common medical emergencies at outdoor sporting events.      
• Risk modeling using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a measure of heat stress, indicates elevated heat risk across 14 of the 16 host cities during the 2026 FIFA World Cup—with the 2022 tournament moving from summer to winter in response to the threat. 

Cardiac events

• Emotional stress, prolonged standing, extreme heat and alcohol consumption can trigger cardiac emergencies—especially in people with pre-existing heart disease.        
• Acute myocardial infarction at English hospitals rose by 25 percent during the two days following England’s loss to Argentina in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Another study using data from that same tournament found that watching a stressful soccer match more than doubles the risk of an acute cardiovascular event.     

Alcohol and substance-related issues     

• Intoxication can exacerbate heat-related illness and increase the likelihood of accidents and injuries.     
•  A 2020 report found that drug or alcohol abuse contributed to up to 10 percent of emergency department admissions and up to 25 percent of ambulance transfers during sporting mass-gathering events.     

Infectious disease outbreaks

• Global mass-gathering events bring together thousands of fans, athletes, coaches and staff in environments where infections can spread quickly, with new strains of pathogens possibly introduced into host cities by international travelers.
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature teams representing a record 48 countries in the close to six-week event across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.    

A snapshot: How host countries prepare for events such as the World Cup   

For events of such a scale, cross-industry collaboration—from local and federal governments to law enforcement to emergency management and health services—is critical for public safety.   

For example, Mexico’s preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup builds on decades of experience hosting large-scale international events, including the 1968 Summer Olympics,  the 1970 and 1986 FIFA World Cups, the 1955, 1975, and 2011 Pan American Games, and other major sporting competitions. According to the Plan General para la Seguridad en Salud durante la Copa Mundial 2026 en México, current preparedness efforts are based on a multisectoral and all-hazards approach designed to strengthen coordination between healthcare institutions, emergency responders, Civil Protection, and public security agencies across Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. The plan emphasizes operational continuity, epidemiological surveillance, prehospital and hospital response capacity, risk communication and real-time monitoring systems intended to support both visitors and local populations during the tournament.    

Beyond large-scale coordination, preparedness efforts have also expanded into specific healthcare risks associated with mass gatherings. One example is the growing focus on cardiovascular emergency response inside stadiums and fan zones. A proposal developed by the Asociación Nacional de Cardiólogos de México (ANCAM) highlights the need for cardio protection protocols, rapid access to defibrillation systems, and specialized response procedures for cardiac events as stressful soccer matches were found to double the risk of an acute cardiovascular event.   

“Healthcare preparedness for global events increasingly depends on multisector approaches that connect healthcare providers, public health agencies, emergency responders, and government institutions. Building these collaborative networks strengthens both emergency readiness and long-term system resilience,” says Salvador Ledon Macias, Government Affairs and Policy, GE HealthCare Latin America.

In the U.S., federal task forces and state emergency management are aligning public safety, healthcare, and response planning among host communities. For example, leaders at hospitals near World Cup venues in the Atlanta area, including Emory School of Medicine, Grady Hospital and Piedmont Healthcare, are developing operational plans, conducting drills, strengthening cross-system coordination and refining patient triage strategies linked to fan zones, transit hubs, and hospital workflows.   

In addition, 500 communicable disease experts convened in January 2025 for a tabletop exercise organized by the National Special Pathogen System. They modeled the aftermath of a viral outbreak at the World Cup, identifying the key requirements for effective response, such as clear communication processes, coordinated laboratory testing and clinical capacity management. 

From reactive to proactive management during hospital surges: The role of technology   

Emergency department visits and hospital admissions are expected to remain elevated during warmer summer months worldwide, especially with added pressures like mass gatherings. Real-time insights from tools designed to improve system-wide capacity management, streamline workflows, and optimize patient care could support more proactive responses across all levels, from hospital administrators to care teams.   

“When there is a hospital capacity surge—whether during a mass gathering, disease outbreak or a natural disaster—every second counts,” explains Bree Bush, GE HealthCare’s General Manager, Command Center and CareIntellect. “We are developing solutions that not only give a real-time picture but crucially help them predict what's coming and the insights they need to take action, so health system leaders can quickly move resources around and adapt to a changing situation.”