Proven, Winning blueprint for MAJOR Event Bidding 🏆
for host cities and organisers who want to win more.
Learn a proven 14-step method to find the right major event opportunities, test them early, and build winning bids that deliver real results. Practical tools to help cities and organisers secure events that fit — and keep promises that hold up.
Why Most Cities Lose Bids Before They Even Start
Most cities don’t lose bids because they lack money or venues — they lose them long before the bid goes in.
They chase events that don’t fit, skip testing the real value, or can’t line up people who believe in the pitch.
A winning bid isn’t luck.
Iit’s a clear story, tested facts, and promises that hold up when the spotlight’s gone.
This is exactly what the 14-step blueprint gives you — so you know what to chase, how to test it, and how to win bids that work.
14-Step Winning Recipe for Major Event Bidding
The full major event bidding roadmap — one simple rule: Filter early. Focus effort. Win only what fits. Deliver it well. Then do it again — better.
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Here’s your roadmap at a glance.
Start Smart.
Find the Right Events: Don’t waste time chasing event bids that don’t fit at all.
But whenever the event opportunity feels potential, take the event lead to this funnel or blueprint.
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This is steps 1 to 5 in my winning blueprint for major event bidding.
Only one purpose. Start chasing only the major event opportunities that fit you.
Determine if the event fits your host city’s strategy and goals. Engage with event rights holders, confirm local organiser support, and ensure your venues meet the necessary requirements - or plan upgrades.
After this.
Make a Decision to Proceed or Cancel the Event Bid Project
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Once you find a good “prospect”, do the groundwork.
Check what the event really requires and what it brings along.
Who attends? What does the organiser expect? What is estimated event economic impact? What are the benefits — and the demands?
Deep research saves your team from costly surprises later.
If the event doesn’t pass this test, close it now.
These are the steps 6-8 in our winning blueprint for major event bidding.
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Now start shaping a clear bid strategy.
Highlight your city’s and your event’s unique advantages.
Show how you will deliver on promises.
Make it easy for organisers to choose you — and hard to doubt you.
This is step 9 in our winning blueprint for major event bidding.
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A good plan needs real people behind it.
Before you start drafting bid books, build strong relationships with all key partners: local organisers, venue owners, service providers, sponsors, local government.
Secure early agreements where possible.
A bid without backing is a risk you don’t want.
And important. This work does not end by submitting the bid and bid book.
Steps 10 and 12 of the winning blueprint are about stakeholder commitment.
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Wow. You’re in - ready to place the bid.
Pay potential fees to enter the game.
Craft detailed bid documents that highlight your city’s strengths and event-readiness.
Engage internal teams and external partners to build support and strength for your concept on paper also.
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This is where you build trust.
Long before the final decision, you need to connect with the real decision-makers.
Keep them informed, answer questions fast, and prove you are ready — not just in words but in actions.
The best bids win because they are seen as the lowest-risk, most credible choice.
A strong final presentation and clear negotiation plan make the difference between being shortlisted and being selected.
This is steps 12, 13 and 14 ending up to final point of this winning blueprint for major event bidding - closing the deal. (hpoefully)
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Win or lose, the work does not stop at the decision.
If you win, move immediately to delivery — set up your team, start operations, confirm all agreements.
If you lose, analyse what happened, learn, and feed that insight back into your funnel for the next bid.
Support for Host Cities & EVENT Organisations
Looking to bid for major events?
With experience in 25+ major event bids, including successes like the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships (2017, 2029) and the MXGP Finland (2022), and the IMGA Winter World Masters Games (2028) I guide you through every stage of the process.
Here’s how I can help:
✅ Find the right opportunities (Feasibility Study)
✅ Analysing opportunity, costs and benefits (Due Diligence)
✅ Build a strategy stakeholders support (Bidding Strategy)
✅ Stand out in the bidding process (Event Bidding)
✅ Transition smoothly from bid to organisation (Program Planning)
Essential Tools & Templates for Event Bidding Success
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Complete Guide to Major Event Bidding
A clear, step-by-step guide “Winning Blueprint for major event bidding” to plan, test, and win major event bids — with key elements, milestones, and a ready-to-use project plan template. Includes a PDF handbook plus an editable Notion template.
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Feasibility Study Checklist
This template helps assess the viability of hosting a major event by covering key factors needed for a go/no-go decision at the first checkpoint.
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Major Event Desk Research Checklist
A comprehensive checklist for gathering essential data on the major event, including audience size, media coverage, marketing reach, and financial/operational requirements.
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Real Major Event Economic Impact Calculator
Full 9-step event impact and retention logic — 10 linked tables ready to use. Focus on what stays, not just what’s spent — no guesswork. Highly recommended for all major event hosts and organisers.
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Simple Direct Economic Impact Estimator
Quick traditional event economic impact estimate template for events — 4 core tables. Use standard direct spending logic with easy inputs.
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Stakeholder Engagement Plan (Template)
This sheet maps out all key stakeholders, their roles, and strategies for engaging and communicating with them throughout the bidding process.
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Decision Maker Influence Map & Game Book
A detailed plan (=Google sheet) that identifies key decision makers and their networks, with a clear strategy for influencing their decisions throughout the event bidding process.
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Competitor Bid Analysis Tool
This tool gathers data on competing cities’ bids, their positioning, relationships with decision makers, and strengths. It helps you evaluate how competitors are presenting their bids, allowing you to identify areas for strategic advantage.
