- China Sport Show 2026 attracted over 170,000 visitors — a new record for the 33-year-old event — with 2,000-plus exhibitors and 5,700 overseas buyers across 200,000 square meters in Xiamen.
- The APFIT Asia-Pacific Fitness & Wellness zone debuted as a standalone exhibition brand covering 130,000 square meters with approximately 1,100 exhibitors, positioning itself as the region’s premier fitness trade platform.
- Five concurrent sporting events — including the Diamond League Xiamen and national fitness championships — were integrated into the expo schedule to link trade, competition, and sports tourism.
- The 44th edition in 2027 will relocate to Chengdu, expanding the expo’s geographic footprint into western China.
- The expo operated under three core zones (fitness and wellness, venue facilities and equipment, sports consumption and services) plus specialized sections for nutrition, skating, and government initiatives.
May 25, 2026 — The 43rd China International Sporting Goods Expo (China Sport Show 2026) concluded on May 24 at the Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center, drawing more than 170,000 visitors over four days — the highest attendance in the 33-year history of the event. The expo, which ran from May 21 to 24, hosted over 2,000 exhibitors across an exhibition area exceeding 200,000 square meters, with 5,700 overseas buyers attending.
The organizer also confirmed that the 44th edition will relocate from Xiamen to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, in 2027.
Record-Breaking Scale and International Footprint
The 2026 edition set new benchmarks for China Sport Show, which was founded in 1993 and has since grown into the Asia-Pacific region’s largest trade fair for sporting goods, fitness equipment, and sports infrastructure. The exhibition area surpassed 200,000 square meters, exceeding the previous edition, while the exhibitor count topped 2,000 for the first time. Overseas attendance grew to 5,700 professional buyers, reflecting the expo’s expanding international reach.
The event is organized by the China Sporting Goods Federation (CSGF) with guidance from multiple departments of the General Administration of Sport of China, including the departments of sports economy, mass sports, and youth sports.
Three Core Exhibition Zones
The expo structured its offering into three main exhibition zones, each covering a distinct segment of the sporting goods value chain:
- APFIT Asia-Pacific Fitness & Wellness Zone: The largest of the three zones, occupying approximately 130,000 square meters, this section was a debut upgrade from the former Fitness Zone into a standalone exhibition brand. It brought together approximately 1,100 domestic and international exhibitors spanning the full fitness industry chain — from raw materials and manufacturing equipment to smart fitness solutions and wearable technology. Positioned as a dedicated platform for the Asia-Pacific fitness market, APFIT facilitated matchmaking between global brands and regional distributors, gym operators, and institutional buyers.
- Sports Venue Facilities & Equipment Zone: This zone covered infrastructure-related products, including stadium seating, sports flooring, lighting systems, scoreboards, and artificial turf. It served municipal procurement delegations and venue operators seeking large-scale solutions.
- Sports Consumption & Services Zone: Focused on consumer-facing products and services, this zone featured sportswear, footwear, outdoor gear, sports technology, and service providers spanning sports tourism, training, and event management.
Themed Zones and Interactive Experiences
Beyond the three core zones, the expo featured several specialized sections designed to boost engagement:
- Sports Nutrition & Supplements Zone: Invited professional nutritionists to offer personalized health and nutrition consultations to attendees.
- Roller Skating & Skateboarding Zone: Included a professional-grade test track and brand equipment trial areas, enabling hands-on product evaluation.
- Government Sports Zone: Showcased municipal sports initiatives and policies, with city delegations presenting local sports development programs and sports-tourism integration projects.
Co-Located Events and Cross-Industry Integration
China Sport Show 2026 leveraged Xiamen’s role as a host city for major sporting events to create a broader sports ecosystem around the expo. Five concurrent events took place during the exhibition period:
- 2026 World Athletics Diamond League Xiamen
- Les Mills CITY TOUR Master Class — Xiamen Chaolu
- Les Mills CEREMONY Fitness Competition — Xiamen Chaolu
- 2026 National Fitness Championship and World Fitness Championship Trials
- CBBA PRO China Fitness & Bodybuilding Professional League (Xiamen)
The integration of trade exhibition with live competitive events was part of a deliberate strategy to blend exhibition, competition, and sports tourism.
5 Key Operational Priorities
The organizer highlighted five strategic priorities for the 2026 edition:
- New Product Launch Promotion: The expo strengthened its new-product showcase mechanism through both its online “Exhibitor Show” platform and on-site new-product display areas, supported by intellectual property protection measures.
- Experience-Driven Consumption Scenarios: Interactive zones — including test tracks, nutrition consultations, and government policy demonstration areas — were designed to convert attendee engagement into commercial outcomes.
- Exhibition Layout Optimization: The shift to three core zones with refined sector positioning sharpened buyer navigation. The APFIT zone in particular generated cross-border orders and partnership agreements.
- Sports Event Cross-Linkage: By coordinating with major sporting events held concurrently in Xiamen, the expo created a multi-dimensional experience connecting trade, competition, and tourism.
- GBC Multi-Stakeholder Platform: The expo served three tiers of market participants: government bodies (policy communication and investment promotion), enterprises (supply chain matching, technology display, and market intelligence), and consumers (product discovery and experiential engagement).
Looking Ahead: Next Stop Chengdu 2027
The 44th China Sport Show is scheduled to be held in Chengdu, Sichuan in 2027. Chengdu was identified as a key hub in western China’s sports industry, supported by an established manufacturing base and strong consumer sports culture. The relocation is intended to extend the expo’s geographic reach and connect northern, southern, and western market resources within a unified commercial platform.
Stakeholder Comment
“The growth of China Sport Show reflects the sustained development of China’s sporting goods manufacturing sector,” a spokesperson for the China Sporting Goods Federation said. “Moving to Chengdu in 2027 represents an opportunity to deepen our engagement with the western region and broaden the platform’s role as a marketplace for the global sporting goods industry.”
About China Sport Show
China Sport Show (China International Sporting Goods Expo) is China’s national-level, internationally oriented trade fair for the sporting goods industry. Founded in 1993, it is organized by the China Sporting Goods Federation and supported by the General Administration of Sport of China. The annual expo covers fitness equipment, sports venues and infrastructure, sportswear and footwear, outdoor gear, and sports technology and services. It is the largest comprehensive sporting goods exhibition in the Asia-Pacific region. For more information, visit en.sportshow.com.cn.
