International sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, and the Super Bowl attract millions of spectators and generate billions of dollars in tourism and economic activity. While these events celebrate athletic achievement and cultural unity, they also raise concerns about human trafficking. Many people believe that trafficking dramatically increases during major events because of the large amount of visitors and temporary workers. However, research shows that the issue is more complex. Rather than creating trafficking, these events often expose existing trafficking networks, increase opportunities for exploitation, and draw greater public and law enforcement attention to a crime that occurs year round (“Exploring the Relationship…”). Understanding this relationship is essential for developing effective strategies that protect vulnerable people before, during, and after international events.

One of the primary ways major international events influence human trafficking is by creating conditions that traffickers can exploit. Large crowds increase the demand for hotels, restaurants, transportation, entertainment, and construction projects, requiring thousands of temporary workers. According to International Events: Catalysts for Increased Trafficking, this surge in demand creates opportunities for traffickers to exploit vulnerable individuals through both labour and sex trafficking (“International Events:…”). Preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar revealed widespread reports of migrant workers experiencing passport confiscation, wage theft, debt bondage, unsafe living conditions, and poor working environments. Similar labour abuses were reported during preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where workers faced delayed wages and hazardous conditions (“International Events:…”). These examples demonstrate that human trafficking during major events extends far beyond sexual exploitation and often involves labour abuses hidden behind large construction and service industries.

Although major sporting events are frequently associated with increases in sex trafficking, researchers have viewed that the evidence is mixed. A study examining online advertisements surrounding the 2020 and 2021 Super Bowls found an increase in online advertisements displaying indicators of potential sex trafficking, suggesting that traffickers may use high profile events to reach larger markets through online platforms (Luttrell, Terri). Similarly, ACAMS reports that law enforcement agencies have observed trafficking networks moving victims to host cities where demand for commercial sex and temporary labour is expected to rise (Luttrell, Terri). However, other research challenges the belief that sporting events themselves cause dramatic spikes in trafficking. Preble and O’Brien found that studies examining previous Super Bowls, Olympic Games, and FIFA World Cups show no consistent evidence that trafficking significantly increases because of the events. Instead, heightened awareness campaigns, specialized police operations, and increased media attention often create what researchers describe as the flashlight effect, where more trafficking cases are identified because authorities are actively searching for them rather than because exploitation has suddenly increased (“International Events:…”). This highlights the importance of distinguishing between increased detection and increased victimization.

The influence of international events also demonstrates why prevention must extend beyond the event itself. Traffickers often begin recruiting victims months before competitions start, taking advantage of vulnerable people through false job offers, fraudulent recruitment, and promises of better economic opportunities (“International Events:…”). Experts argue that focusing only on the weeks surrounding major events risks ignoring the structural issues that make trafficking possible, including poverty, unstable housing, migration, and economic inequality (Panton, Heather C.). Effective responses include stronger labour protections, regular inspections of construction sites, better training for hotel and transportation staff to recognize trafficking indicators, confidential reporting systems, and survivor centred support services (“International Events:…”). Financial institutions also play an important role by identifying suspicious financial transactions that may indicate trafficking activity and reporting them to law enforcement (Luttrell, Terri). Together, these strategies help address trafficking before it escalates rather than responding only after exploitation has occurred.

Major international events undoubtedly create opportunities that traffickers may attempt to exploit, but they are not the sole cause of human trafficking. While increased tourism, construction, and temporary employment can increase risks for vulnerable individuals, research shows that many perceived trafficking spikes result from greater public awareness and enhanced law enforcement efforts rather than sudden increases in crime (“Human Trafficking in the Global…”). Instead of treating trafficking as a problem that appears only during global sporting events governments, event organizers, businesses, and communities must recognize it as a persistent human rights issue that requires year round prevention, stronger worker protections, and coordinated international action. Only by addressing the root causes of vulnerability can future international events become both successful celebrations and safer environments for everyone.

Works Cited

“Exploring the relationship between super bowls and potential online sex trafficking.” National Library of Medicine, 28 December 2022, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9794463/. Accessed 22 July 2026.

“Human Trafficking in the Global Era | CFR Education.” Council on Foreign Relations, 20 December 2020, https://www.cfr.org/education/learn/reading/human-trafficking-global-era. Accessed 27 July 2026.

“International Events: Catalysts for Increased Trafficking.” TheLaw.Institute, 7 January 2026, https://thelaw.institute/understanding-human-trafficking/international-events-increased-trafficking-catalysts/. Accessed 20 July 2026.

Luttrell, Terri. “Human Trafficking and Major Sporting Events: The Dark Side of the Super Bowl.” ACAMS, 28 March 2019, https://www.acams.org/en/opinion/human-trafficking-and-major-sporting-events-the-dark-side-of-the-super-bowl. Accessed 21 July 2026.

Panton, Heather C. “Tackling human trafficking at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.” Thomson Reuters, 16 April 2026, https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en-us/posts/human-rights-crimes/human-trafficking-2026-fifa-world-cup/. Accessed 27 July 2026.

“The World Cup and human trafficking: What the research reveals about the real risks at major sporting events.” The Conversation, 1 June 2026, https://theconversation.com/the-world-cup-and-human-trafficking-what-the-research-reveals-about-the-real-risks-at-major-sporting-events-280775. Accessed 22 July 2026.