BEIJING — September 10, 2026 — At the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) Sports Services Special Forum held at Beijing’s Shougang Park, officials from the Sports Economics Department of China’s General Administration of Sport officially unveiled and interpreted the 2025 Report on Development of China’s Trade in Sports Services (hereinafter referred to as the Report).
According to the Report, China’s trade in sports services in 2025 was characterized by three prominent trends: steady total expansion, explosive export growth, and an increasingly diversified market ecosystem driven by the sports event economy.
Key Takeaways at a Glance
Record Total Volume: RMB 74.875 billion in 2025 (+7.98% YoY), capping a 32.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the “14th Five-Year Plan” period.
Explosive Export Growth: Sports service exports jumped to RMB 19.033 billion, accounting for 25.42% of total sports trade (up from 2.42% in 2024).
Narrowed Deficit: China’s trade deficit in sports services shrank significantly from RMB 65.992 billion in 2024 to RMB 36.812 billion in 2025.
Major Sector Drivers: Copyright trading soared by 77.38% YoY, while Sports Tourism generated RMB 61.516 billion (82.16% of total trade), remaining the anchor of the industry.
Three Core Features Defining China’s Sports Trade in 2025
1. Steady Total Growth with Robust Internal Momentum
Throughout the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, China’s sports service trade expanded at an extraordinary CAGR of 32.6%, substantially outperforming the overall growth rate of national service trade. Total import and export volume rose by RMB 5.533 billion year-on-year to hit RMB 74.875 billion in 2025—setting a new historic high for the five-year period.
2. Export Surge and Structural Rebalancing
The export market witnessed a breakthrough, skyrocketing to RMB 19.033 billion. Exports’ share of total sports service trade escalated from just 2.42% in 2024 to 25.42% in 2025. This massive shift significantly reduced the industry’s trade deficit from RMB 65.992 billion in 2024 down to RMB 36.812 billion, signaling a healthier and more balanced international trade structure.
3. Event Economy as a Core Engine
Powered by dual forces—domestic companies expanding global sponsorships and international sports brands deepening their market footprint in China—the sports event economy has become a core engine connecting domestic and overseas markets. Reflecting this trend, sports event copyright trading experienced a massive 77.38% year-on-year surge.
Data Breakdown Across 5 Key Verticals (2025)
Sports Tourism: Reached RMB 61.516 billion (82.16% of total trade), up 6.49% YoY, continuing to serve as the industry’s “ballast stone.”
Sports Event Copyright Trading: Reached RMB 6.524 billion (8.71% of total trade), delivering a standout 77.38% YoY increase.
Sports Event Sponsorship: Totaled RMB 4.852 billion (6.48% of total trade), highlighted by vibrant two-way brand investments.
Professional Sports Competition Performance: Reached RMB 1.908 billion (2.55% of total trade), comprising RMB 1.618 billion in imports and RMB 290 million in exports.
Internet Sports Services: Recorded RMB 75 million in exports (0.10% of total trade). Backed by policy incentives in the upcoming “15th Five-Year Plan” for Building a Sports Powerhouse—which highlights virtual sports, online fitness, and digital sports training—this sector is positioned as a primary emerging driver for future export growth.
Industry Outlook
The Report concludes that China’s trade in sports services will maintain long-term, stable growth, continually injecting fresh momentum into the high-quality development of the nation’s broader service trade sector. For connected fitness hardware brands, digital platform developers, and sports gear exporters, China’s shifting trade balance highlights expanding global opportunities in digital fitness and sports event marketing.
Source: China Sports News
