2026 Tennis China Season is Officially Kicking off! Event Economy Upgrades Again

"2026 Tennis China Season" officially kicks off! This year's Tennis China Season runs from September to November, covering the Chengdu Open, Hangzhou Open, China Open, Rolex Shanghai Masters, Wuhan Open, Ningbo Open, Guangzhou Open, and Hong Kong Open — a total of eight tour events.

At the launch ceremony held in Shanghai in late August this year, Bai Xilin, Director of the Tennis Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, introduced:

In 2025, the China Season attracted nearly one million on-site spectators in total, achieving box office revenue of 250 million yuan, and driving related consumption of over 16 billion yuan, with remarkable results in competitive improvement, urban empowerment, industry stimulation, and cultural outreach.

Above: 2025 China Open scene

In 2025, key data officially released by some events regarding event revenue and viewership are as follows:

• China Open: Overall box office reached 88 million yuan, up 10% year-on-year; comprehensive consumption exceeded 36 million yuan, up 44% year-on-year; licensed merchandise sales exceeded 12.5 million yuan, 1.6 times that of 2024.
• Shanghai Masters: Event box office exceeded 100 million yuan. The event drew over 250,000 spectators, with 10% from overseas, 30% local Shanghai spectators, and 60% from across the country.
• Hangzhou Open: The Hangzhou Open attracted 33,000 on-site spectators, with attendance rates exceeding 86% for popular sessions, and total event revenue of nearly 15 million yuan, up 26.4% year-on-year.
• Ningbo Open: Event ticket revenue reached 4.6 million yuan, attracting a total of 29,000 spectators, and driving direct consumption of over one million yuan at event peripheral shops and related activities. The Open's comprehensive benefits exceeded 100 million yuan.

Above: Ningbo (Yinzhou) Tennis Center

In terms of brand sponsorship, the China Open and Hangzhou Open have both welcomed new top-tier sponsors this year:

• HSBC Group (HSBC) has become the new Presenting Partner of the China Open starting from 2026, and the two parties will embark on a strategic cooperation.
• AITO has become the title sponsor of the Hangzhou Open. The AITO M9 becomes the event's official designated vehicle, and the brand will also set up a booth at the "Little Lotus."

This year, the commercial facilities at event venues will also be further upgraded, further boosting peripheral consumption:

• China Open will add 40 food and beverage brands in the park, expand licensed merchandise to 600 varieties, and connect airport pickup, spectating, park tours, and consumption into a seamless line.
• Wuhan Open will add an event carnival area on the second-floor platform of the venue, integrating leisure, dining, and interactive experiences.

The economic impact of the events is not limited to the stadium. Starting October 1, the event will join hands with Suhewan MixC World and Fuxin Flour Mill to create the event's first "second venue." There will be mascot interactions, installation photo spots, souvenir pop-ups, and big-screen viewing activities.

Multiple locations will hold "event + tourism" joint activities. For example, the Ningbo Municipal Sports Bureau will launch a "Ningbo Event Golden Autumn Season" series of activities before the October event, linking with the city marketing brand "You Piao Jiu GO Le" to offer exclusive benefits: spectators who complete the corresponding verification can receive consumption vouchers, discounts for scenic spots, hotels, boutique routes, and more.

| Information sources: Xinhua Net; Beijing Daily; Jiefang Daily; Zhejiang Daily; CNR; Hubei Daily; Chang'an Street Knowledge;

| Image sources: Official Weibo of China Open, Wuhan Open, Ningbo Open