The Council conclusions of 31 May 2016 emphasise that major sport events must be organised with integrity, transparency, and good governance at every stage — from bidding and preparation to delivery and legacy. While such events can generate substantial social, economic, and cultural benefits, they also present risks including corruption, doping, match-fixing, cost overruns, and lack of accountability.

Member States and the European Commission are encouraged to integrate governance and sustainability principles into their event strategies, promote transparent bidding processes, strengthen cooperation between public authorities and sport organisations, and ensure long-term community and environmental benefits. The conclusions also advocate exploring multi-country hosting models and establishing evaluation systems to assess the real impact of events.

International sport bodies are invited to adopt democratic and transparent procedures, respect human and labour rights, and involve stakeholders throughout the event cycle. The overall goal is to enhance trust, ensure responsible management, and maximise the positive legacy of major sport events.