The sports industry in China is growing each year, with its value recently reaching an annual 3 trillion yuan.
(One yuan equals to approximately 0.16 U.S. dollars and 0.14 euros)
Some sports are more popular than others due to factors like accessibility, history, and government involvement.
This article provides an overview of the most popular sports in China of all time as well as those which are gaining hugh popularity recent years.
Basketball-Lan Qiu-篮球
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in China, with around 300 million people playing the sport.
The popularity of Basketball is largely due to:
- The success of the Chinese National Basketball Association (CNBA).
- The emergence of Yao Ming playing for the Houston Rockets in the NBA.
Most famous player you should know: Yao Ming 姚明
In the 2000s, basketball became very popular in China with the emergence of Yao Ming playing for the Houston Rockets in the NBA.
Although other Chinese players have followed his footsteps, none of them were able to replicate his success.
To this day, Yao Ming is still one of the most recognizable athletes in the country.
Interestingly, Yao Ming runs a winery in the Napa Valley that sells high-end wine with his name on it.
Soccer-Zu Qiu-足球
The Chinese government has made a concerted effort to promote the sport, investing in youth academies, hosting international tournaments, and signing high-profile players.
Additionally, the increased prevalence of technology and access to global media has allowed Chinese fans to follow the sport and keep up with current events.
Despite being the most populous nation in the world, Chinese football still needs to continue striving for improvement.
How is it possible that a country with 1.3 billion people, and almost as many football fans, can’t get their act together and play football on world level?
Go to the bottom of this article, watch the documentary and find out the answer.
All Chinese people are expecting Chinese football to return to the World Cup.
So far, China has only entered the World Cup once.
For the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Chinese people joked that other than the Chinese team, all other Chinese elements have arrived in Qatar.
Most famous player you should know: Wu Lei 武磊
Wu Lei is a professional soccer player from Shanghai, China.
He is known for his impressive skills and determination on the field, as well as his strong leadership.
He is the captain of his club, Shanghai SIPG, and has led them to several championship titles.
He is also a regular member of the Chinese national team, and his international experience has helped him become a household name in China.
Wu Lei has also become popular off the field due to his charitable work, including donations to charity and organizing soccer camps for children.
Tennis-Wang Qiu-网球
Tennis is another popular sport in China, with a large number of professional players and many tournaments.
The Chinese Grand Slam champion is Li Na.
Most famous player you should know: Li Na 李娜
Li Na is a former professional tennis player from China who became the first Asian player to win a Grand Slam singles title when she won the 2011 French Open.
She is an inspiration to many Chinese people and has become a role model for aspiring tennis players.
She is popular in China because she has achieved major successes in tennis, while also being a strong advocate for women’s rights.
Her accomplishments have made her a household name in China.
She is now seen as a national hero.
Badminton-Yu Mao Qiu-羽毛球
Badminton is another popular sport in China, with millions of Chinese people playing it regularly including myself 🙂
The Chinese badminton team has won numerous world titles, and the Chinese national team has won the Thomas Cup 4 times.
Most famous player you should know: Lin Dan 林丹
Lin Dan is a professional badminton player from China who has achieved legendary status in the sport.
He is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, five-time World Champion, and six-time All England Champion.
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest badminton players of all time, and is often referred to as Super Dan or Super Lin.
Volleyball-Pai Qiu-排球
Volleyball is a popular sport in China, with many local leagues and tournaments.
The Chinese Women’s National Volleyball Team has won the World Cup five times and the Olympics three times.
Most famous player you should know: Lang Ping 郎平
Lang Ping is a famous volleyball coach and former player in China.
She is renowned for leading the Chinese Women’s National Volleyball Team to win the gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, becoming the first team in Asia to do so.
She is often referred to as “The Iron Hammer” for her impressive achievements.
Lang Ping has become a national sporting hero in China and an inspiration to many young people.
Table Tennis-Ping Pong-乒乓球
It was in the 1920s that table tennis really began to take off in China, and it soon became a national pastime.
China has since become a powerhouse in the sport, with Chinese players winning more Olympic medals than any other country in the world.
Every Chinese kid has at least one lesson from their schools. I still remember mine.
Most famous player you should know: Ma Long 马龙
Ma Long is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and is considered to be the greatest table tennis player of all time.
He has won a record nine world championship titles, including six singles titles, two men’s doubles titles, and one mixed doubles title.
He is also the only player to have won all five major titles in table tennis.
(Olympic Games, World Cup, World Championships, World Tour Grand Finals and Pro Tour Grand Finals).
His success at the highest levels of table tennis has earned him a huge following in China and around the world.
Swimming-You Yong-游泳
Swimming is a popular sport in China, with many people taking part in local and national competitions.
The Chinese team has won numerous world and Olympic titles in the sport.
I started learning swimming when I was in Middle school and my first postion was breast stroke.
Most famous swimmer you should know: Sun Yang 孙杨
Sun Yang, who won three gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics.
He is one of the most successful swimmers in Chinese history and is also the first Chinese swimmer to ever win an Olympic gold medal.
He is also a two-time world champion in the 1500-meter freestyle.
Sun Yang has become an inspirational figure in China and is seen as a symbol of hope and perseverance.
He also joined lots of reality shows on TV as he is seen as super handsome for Chinese women.
Frisbee-Fei Pan-飞盘
The popularity of Frisbee among young Chinese in recent years can be attributed to the influence of Chinese Internet celebrities.
Listen to this podcast to find out more: Frisbee sees boom in China thanks to Chinese KOLs. (Key Opinion Leader, which is also known as an “influencer” in the Western countries.)
- Frisbee is an easy and accessible game to play, and it does not require any expensive equipment or large space to play.
- It is also a great way to stay active, get some fresh air, and socialize with friends.
- Frisbee can be a good way to learn and practice coordination and teamwork, as well as a fun way to spend time outside.
Days prior to China’s 14th National Fitness Day, the country’s first national Ultimate Frisbee League started in the northwest city of Xi’an on Saturday.
Most famous player you should know: Wang Yipeng-王逸鹏
On May 8th, Wang Yipeng completed his debut in the U.S. Professional Extreme Frisbee League, becoming the first mainland Chinese player to enter the top competition.
Running-Pao Bu-跑步
Running is becoming increasingly popular in China due to its health benefits, the growing number of running clubs, and the popularity of running events.
Major running events such as the Beijing Marathon and the Great Wall Marathon have become increasingly popular, further driving the trend of running in China.
The most famous runner you should know: Wang Jiali-王佳丽
She was the first Chinese runner to break the 2:20 barrier in the marathon, achieving a time of 2:19:12 in the 2015 Beijing Marathon.
She has since gone on to set multiple Chinese records in the event and her impressive performances have earned her widespread recognition and respect from the running community in China.
Cycling-Qi Xing-骑行
The popularity of Frisbee among young Chinese in recent years can be attributed to the Chinese life style and fitness influencers.
- Cycling is becoming more accessible in China, with bike rental companies springing up, making it easier for people to use bikes as a means of transportation.
- Cycling is seen as a good form of exercise, providing a healthy way to get around, and is becoming increasingly popular among urbanites looking to stay fit.
- There is an effort to reduce air pollution, and cycling is seen as a way to help with this.
Most famous cyclist you should know:Ji Cheng 计成
In 2012, Ji made history by becoming the first Chinese cyclist to race and finish a Grand Tour when he finished 175th at the Vuelta a España.
In 2013, he became the first Chinese rider to start the Giro d’Italia.
In 2014, he was chosen to compete in the Tour de France, making him the first Chinese cyclist to do so.
Despite a knee injury, he was able to finish the race and take last place as the 2014 lanterne rouge.
E-Sports-Dian Zi Jing Ji-电子竞技
E-sports has become increasingly popular in China due to the rise of mobile gaming, the growing appetite for competitive gaming, and the support given to it by the government.
Mobile gaming has allowed more people to play games, while competitive gaming has attracted viewers to watch tournaments.
The Chinese government has also provided key infrastructure to support E-sports, such as state-of-the-art arenas and tax incentives for businesses investing in E-sports.
All of these factors have helped make E-sports a popular form of entertainment in China.
Most famous player you should know:Jian Zihao-简自豪
Uzi, also known as Jian Zihao, who is part of the professional League of Legends team Royal Never Give Up (RNG).
He is renowned for his incredible mechanical skill and excellent game sense, which have helped him become one of the most successful players in the game’s history.
He has won multiple tournaments and has been named MVP of the League of Legends Pro League (LPL) multiple times, helping his team to numerous championships.
Uzi’s skill and hard work have made him an icon in the Chinese esports scene and a role model for aspiring players.
Skiing-Hua Xue-滑雪
Skiing is becoming increasingly popular in China due to its growing middle-class population, growing wealth, and increasing interest in outdoor activities.
Ski resorts have been popping up all over the country, and ski equipment and clothing have become more accessible and less expensive.
Additionally, the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing have helped to raise the profile of skiing in China and bring it more into the mainstream.
Most famous skier you should know: Gu Ailing 谷爱玲
At 18, Gu became the youngest Olympic champion in freestyle skiing after she won a gold medal in big air, a gold medal in halfpipe, and a silver medal in slopestyle at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
This made her the first freestyle skier to ever win three medals in a single Olympics.
Her decision to switch from Team USA to China raised global attention due to the strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In China, Gu has earned the nickname “Frog Princess” based on the green helmet she once wore during competition.
Time Magazine recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022.
Snooker-Si Nuo Ke-台球斯诺克
Snooker has become increasingly popular in China in recent years for few reasons：
- It is a sport that requires a high level of skill, making it appealing to Chinese citizens who value expertise and have a strong work ethic.
- The sport has gained popularity due to the success of Chinese players on the international stage.
- Since 2015, Chinese players have won four of the five World Snooker Championships, and the sport has been broadcast on a variety of Chinese television networks, further increasing its presence in the country.
Most famous player you should know: Ding Junhui 丁俊晖
Ding Junhui is a Chinese professional snooker player who is widely considered to be the most successful Asian player in the history of the sport.
He has won a total of 16 ranking titles, including three UK Championships and one Masters title, and is the only Asian player to have ever reached the final of the World Championship.
His success has seen him become a national hero in his native China, where he is often referred to as “the pride of China”.
Yoga-Yu Jia-瑜伽
Many Chinese Yaga influencers are live streaming to instruct people to do Yoga at home.
Such content becomes super popular during Pandemic. Yue Yoga is one of them which has 25000 followers currently on Yotube.
Yoga is becoming increasingly popular in China due to its many health benefits.
With more people in China leading increasingly busy and stressful lifestyles, yoga is seen as a way to improve both physical and mental health in a short amount of time.
Famous teacher you should know: Rao Qiu Yu 绕秋玉
Rao Qiu Yu, a native of Hubei Province, is a senior coach registered with the U.S. Yoga Alliance.
She was the first person in mainland China to be authorized by Anusara Yoga to teach, and has founded many Fine Yoga studios in mainland China, which are greatly loved.
Many of my friends are practing Yoga daily and learning from Rao.
F1-Sai Che-赛车
Chinese audiences are being exposed to the sport through increased media coverage, including the launch of a dedicated F1 channel since 2017.
The presence of Chinese drivers in the sport, such as Guanyu Zhou and Zhou Yi, is helping to build a fan base.
A number of F1-related events have been held in the country, including the first Chinese Grand Prix in 2004, which has further boosted its appeal.
Most famous racer you should know: Zhou Guanyu 周冠宇
周冠宇 is a Chinese race car driver and the winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2020.
He began his racing career in 2004 and quickly established himself as one of the top drivers in the sport.
Throughout his career, he has won numerous races and championships, including the Asian Le Mans Series and the World Endurance Championship.
He is known for his tenacious driving style and his ability to remain calm under pressure, a trait that has made him a favorite among his fans.
Final Words:
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Frequently asked questions:
The most popular sport in China is Basketball.
The two most popular sports in China are basketball and soccer.
The China national sport is table tennis. Ping Pong in Chinese. Every Chinese kis has at least one ping pong lesson at school.
Chinese students like to play soccer, basketball, ping pong and badminton at school as they can get bats easily and find the place to play easily also.
The most popular sport in China 2022 will be Frisbee thanks to the influence from the influencers on red book( Chinese instagram).
Thank you for sharing your personal experience on this topic “Most Popular Sports China:Unveiling the Nation’s Athletic Favorites”. It adds a relatable touch to the article and helps readers connect on a deeper level. I look forward to reading more from you 🙂