Mega-events can captivate global audiences, stimulate economies, increase employment and endow host cities with significant tangible and intangible legacies. However, increasing problems of organisational corruption, escalating costs, exaggerated benefit claims and community disruption indicate need for mega-event reform. This conceptual paper supports a reformist agenda by using a core/periphery perspective to describe and analyse mega-event dynamics. The basic mega-event model consists of an inner and outer core which respectively contain the international and host mega-event elite, and a periphery containing the remaining host community. Unsustainable (dystopic) outcomes result when conflict-based interactions occur between a core employing its authoritarian traits and a periphery employing its anarchic traits. Conversely, sustainable (utopic) outcomes result when resolution-based interactions occur between a core employing its efficiency traits and a periphery mobilising its responsive traits. The paper concludes by discussing strategies for achieving the aspirational utopic scenario within a broader framework of enlightened mass tourism.