The purpose of the study was to explore the role of mega-event impacts on perceived satisfaction with quality of life and
support among South African residents before and after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Limited research has empirically tested
whether quality of life (QOL) is perceived as an exchange benefit that facilitates resident support of mega-events. Intercept
data were collected from residents in five host cities three months before (March 2010) and eight months after (March 2011)
the event (N = 3,789). Results indicate significant differences in perceived impacts before and after the event. Before the
event, the influence of political impacts, psychological impacts, and social benefits on perceived QOL was significant, while
QOL mediated the relationships between political, psychological, and social benefit impacts and resident support. After the
event, economic impacts emerged as a significant predictor of QOL in contrast to the preevent sample.