year Russia will host the country's largest sporting event - the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In June 2017 Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi and Kazan will host the Confederations Cup. Preparations for these major international championships have become a driver for the modernisation of the country. In preparing for these mega-projects, new and unique sporting infrastructure, transport hubs, tourism and residential facilities have been built, giving many Russian cities the opportunity to introduce new services, infrastructure and business development. ? What do Russian cities need to meet the challenges posed by the World Cup? ? What is the long term strategy for leveraging the potential of the FIFA 2018 World Cup for the further development of the cities? ? Are the acquired benefits worth the investments and risks?