Abstract
Argues that events like the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup can provide space for public discussion about the impact of globalization and the opportunity for union revitalisation, by rebuilding their organizational strength and strengthening collaboration between unions. Examines the activities of selected German unions and civil society organizations, both in the lead up to and during the FIFA World Cup in Germany 2006, in order to determine the extent to which unions were able to utilise such opportunities for long term strategic gains.