Impact of major international sport tournaments on the local healthcare system in Poland — a retrospective analysis

Introduction: Major international sports tournaments (MSTs) can pose significant challenges to local healthcare systems, particularly concerning emergency department (ED) workload and emergency hospital admissions (EHAs). The broader impact of large-scale events on hospital utilization remains underexplored. This study evaluates the impact of three MSTs hosted in Poland — UEFA EURO 2012 (partially in Poland), EHF EURO 2016, and the European Games 2023 — on the public healthcare system. Material and methods: This retrospective analysis was conducted on aggregated monthly data from the National Health Fund of Poland regarding ED visits and EHAs. Observed values during tournament months were compared with expected numbers derived from the monthly and yearly means of surrounding years. Data from 198 events held during the three MSTs, spanning 53 event days and involving over 1.1 million spectators, were analyzed. Statistical comparisons were conducted using independent measures t-tests and segmented regression (p < 0.05). Results: Across all tournaments, ED workload and EHAs remained largely within expected ranges. During UEFA EURO 2012, both parameters were lower than the monthly and yearly averages. EHF EURO 2016 exhibited a stable ED workload and a minor increase in EHAs. EG 2023 showed no notable deviation from expected emergency service use. Conclusions: MSTs, including mega-events, were not associated with a detectable increase in hospital ED workload or emergency admissions. Although the findings do not exclude the possibility of temporary increases that could not be identified using aggregated data, they suggest that well-organized venue-based medical services, combined with planning for seasonal variations and audience demographics, can help maintain the integrity of emergency care during large-scale sporting events.