Beijing Turns Sports Events into an Economic Engine, Blending Competition with Tourism and Retail

Klik

This is the Grand Smash Park at Shougang Park in Beijing, photographed on October 4

BEIJING, CHINA — Beijing is leveraging its status as the world’s first “Dual Olympic City” to transform major sporting events into drivers of tourism, retail, dining, and wider consumer spending, as the Chinese capital expands its sports event economy.

During the National Day holiday, the China Open tennis tournament and the World Table Tennis (WTT) China Grand Smash attracted sports fans while turning surrounding venues and public spaces into lively destinations for leisure and shopping.

The China Open’s impact extended beyond the tennis courts, with big-screen viewing areas, food and beverage outlets, and officially licensed merchandise stores drawing large crowds. Each of the two official merchandise stores at the National Tennis Center welcomed more than 10,000 visitors daily during the holiday, according to Yin Xufei, head of the tournament’s licensed merchandise stores. Nearly 1,000 product varieties offered fans souvenirs to commemorate the event.

On October 6, Novak Djokovic secured his seventh China Open title after Australian opponent Alex de Minaur retired injured following the opening set of the men’s singles final.

Meanwhile, the WTT China Grand Smash brought similar excitement to Shougang Park, a former industrial complex that has evolved into a destination for sports, dining, and cultural experiences. Tournament-themed T-shirts also gave visitors access to exclusive discounts at hundreds of participating businesses, connecting event attendance with spending across local commercial districts.

Sports-driven consumption extended beyond the major venues. The Beijing Yizhuang GT World Challenge attracted more than 26,000 spectators, combining motor racing with automotive exhibitions, technology activities, and leisure experiences that benefited nearby restaurants, shops, and hotels.

In Miyun, the China Men’s 3x3 Basketball League Championship connected sports with local tourism and commerce through a market featuring more than 30 vendors selling regional specialties and traditional products.

By integrating international competitions with local businesses, cultural attractions, and public recreation, Beijing is creating a broader event experience that encourages visitors to spend more time and money across the city.

The approach highlights the growing potential of the sports event economy, in which competitions serve not only as entertainment but also as platforms for tourism development, commercial activity, and urban economic growth. (*/red).