Resistance to mega-events is no longer fringe — it is an organised, global movement reshaping how cities engage with the Olympic Games. Based on extensive research across ten Olympic cycles, this article presents a new theoretical framework that explains the evolution of community resistance, from street protests to subtle, everyday acts of defiance. Drawing on sociological theory and transnational case studies, the authors reveal how opposition emerges across the event lifecycle, fuelled by concerns over displacement, inequality, and democratic exclusion. Yet, resistance is not inherently destructive. When organisers engage with it seriously, it can become a catalyst for more equitable, credible, and community-driven events. As public trust declines and global activist networks grow, understanding and addressing resistance is no longer optional — it is essential for the survival and legitimacy of the mega-event model.