Strategic Insights from a Global Sports Executive
Hosting sporting events requires exceptional strategic planning, and James Johnson is a leader in this field. As a globally recognised sports and entertainment executive and lawyer, he led Australia to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Johnson’s first book, ‘Hosting the World’, will be released in November 2026. It draws on his vast experience to discuss how to win, deliver, and build a legacy from the world’s biggest sporting events.
Fair Play Publishing announced the acquisition of Johnson’s book, ‘Hosting the World: How to win, deliver and build legacy from the world’s biggest sporting events’. Johnson serves as Group CEO of Canadian Soccer & Media Entertainment and was the former CEO of Football Australia.
This publication provides a comprehensive framework from bidding to the final whistle, covering operational structures to maximise returns.
Lessons from the 2023 Women’s World Cup illustrate how nations can secure hosting rights and create lasting legacies. Johnson’s book includes case studies and practical advice for various sports.
Johnson stated, “Hosting a major international sporting event is one of the most complex, high-stakes efforts a nation can take on. The social, cultural, and economic benefits can be life-changing.”
His insights focus on winning bids, delivering events, and building legacies. The book targets governments, sporting bodies, and event professionals.
Publisher Bonita Mersiades at Fair Play Publishing asserts that the book will become the standard reference for sports executives, government officials, bid committee members, event professionals, and policymakers globally.
Bonita Mersiades remarked, “James Johnson brings a rare combination of strategic vision and operational credibility to the subject matter. Hosting the World is a book the major events industry has needed. It’s practical, rigorous, and written by someone who has truly been in the arena.”
Available from November 2026, ‘Hosting the World’ delivers valuable insights for anyone involved in hosting international sporting events. It addresses the full lifecycle of major event hosting, including how to secure hosting rights and build operational and commercial structures to deliver at scale.
Johnson’s book emphasises how host governments can maximise return on investment and establish lasting social, economic, and infrastructure legacies.
