Chongqing - March in Chongqing was marked by an extraordinary vibrancy, driven by a major table tennis event. As the WTT Chongqing Championships brought crowds to the Bloomage Biotech · Biohyalux ECM Arena in Banan District, the city - nestled between mountains and rivers - showcased its dynamic energy in perfect harmony with the competition.
Over six days, 64 top players from 21 countries and regions delivered 62 high-level, thrilling matches. Stars of the national team, including Wang Chuqin, Sun Yingsha, Liang Jingkun, and Wang Manyu, alongside emerging talents from around the world, drew large and enthusiastic audiences.
The WTT Chongqing Championship 2026 was packed with audiences. (Photo/Liu Jimei)
Yet the impact of the event extended far beyond the arena.
From Spectator Enthusiasm to Consumer Spending
"We traveled all the way from Chengdu just to watch the matches," said Xiong Li, a fan, as she browsed souvenirs in the interactive zone outside the venue, reflecting on the recently concluded games. It was her second trip to Chongqing, specifically for a table tennis tournament. Such cross-city attendance was common throughout the event.
The tournament not only ignited spectator enthusiasm but also delivered a sustained boost to foot traffic and consumer spending. During the event, surrounding commercial areas saw a notable rise in visitor numbers, with long queues frequently forming outside restaurants and hotel bookings remaining consistently high. The synergy between nighttime economy, weekend leisure, and event-driven consumption effectively translated spectator excitement into tangible economic activity.
A designated "second venue" outside the main arena - featuring large-screen live broadcasts, interactive table tennis setups, and cultural exhibitions - also drew considerable crowds. Some visitors tried their hand at table tennis at street-side experience zones immediately after leaving the stadium; others picked up a racket for the first time, discovering the joy of the sport. In this way, a professional competition evolved into a public activity accessible to all.
Data shows that during the event, Banan District received a total of 1.28 million tourists, directly and indirectly contributing approximately 1.253 billion yuan (about $170 million) to the regional economy.
From Professional Competition to Public Participation
Beyond the high-level tournament, another vibrant "arena" emerged across the city. Leveraging the momentum of the WTT Chongqing Championships, Banan District simultaneously organized the second "Village Kick-Kick" Table Tennis Tournament, extending the table tennis craze from the competition venue into local communities.
The tournament was open to the public with no entry requirements or age restrictions, allowing participation across all skill levels. "It's good for my health, and I’ve made many new table tennis friends," said one participant, adding that he valued the health benefits and social connections even more than the competitive results.
During WTT Chongqing Champions, there's a surge in popularity among surrounding restaurants, supermarkets, and other venues. (Photo/Li Pan)
According to statistics, the tournament directly engaged nearly 500 table tennis enthusiasts and inspired approximately 20,000 people to participate in related activities, further embedding table tennis into daily life.
Meanwhile, members of the national table tennis team competing in the WTT event visited communities to interact with, exchange ideas, and provide guidance to local enthusiasts. Athletes usually seen only on screen became face-to-face partners in sport. Sports thus evolved from a spectator activity into a participatory and experiential lifestyle.
From Hosting Events to Energizing the City
In recent years, Chongqing has continuously introduced high-profile events such as the WTT Championships, the Chongqing Marathon, and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, actively exploring an integrated development path that combines "sports + culture and tourism + consumption."
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Cup of China, held in Banan District in November 2024, brought the elegance of ice sports to the mountain city; the annual Chongqing Marathon allows runners to traverse the city's unique urban landscapes. These events not only attract visitors but also generate sustained comprehensive benefits through a full cycle of "spectatorship–experience–consumption."
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Cup of China was held in Banan District, Chongqing.(Photo/The Organizer)
In Chongqing, a sporting event often serves as a nexus - connecting professionals with the public, sports with daily life, and competitive spirit with urban identity. From ice competitions to community interactions and cross-city exchanges, sports are becoming embedded in the city's fabric in diverse ways, offering a vital window into Chongqing’s vitality, openness, and inclusiveness.
As the city continues to host and nurture a growing number of events, sports are poised to inject lasting momentum for development and a deeper sense of human warmth into this urban landscape.
(Dong Baoxu, as an intern, also contributed to this report.)