Beijing's strategic use of its dual Olympic legacy to host a dense calendar of international sports events during the National Day holiday has showcased the powerful economic multiplier effect of sports tourism. With the China Open tennis tournament and the World Table Tennis (WTT) China Grand Smash anchoring a week-long sports festival, the city transformed athletic competition into a driver of consumption, drawing visitors to venues and surrounding commercial districts in record numbers.
The China Open, held at the National Tennis Center, culminated on October 6 with Novak Djokovic winning his seventh title after opponent Alex de Minaur retired due to injury in the first set of the men's singles final. But the event's impact extended far beyond the court. The tournament's "second venue" offered big-screen viewing, officially licensed merchandise, and food and beverage outlets, creating a festive atmosphere that blended sports passion with the city's relaxed holiday vibe. According to Yin Xufei, head of the China Open officially licensed merchandise store, each of the two stores at the north and south ticket gates received over 10,000 visitors per day during the National Day holiday, with nearly a thousand products available. "The merchandise gives everyone's tournament memories a tangible carrier," Yin said.
Across town, Shougang Park in Shijingshan hosted the WTT China Grand Smash for the third consecutive year, echoing the China Open and reinforcing what has become known as the "Golden Week of Sports Events." The industrial-style park welcomed fans like Gao Yize from Xinjiang, who remarked, "People can spend a whole day wandering around Shougang Park—dining, markets, and souvenirs are all available. Besides watching matches, you can feel the festive atmosphere of table tennis, China's national sport, blending with the National Day holiday." The WTT official licensed store promoted a tournament-themed T-shirt that doubles as a "walking ticket stub," offering exclusive discounts on dining, accommodation, and sightseeing at hundreds of partner merchants across Shougang Park, Yongdingheji, Moshikou Historical and Cultural Street, and other locations.
The sports event economy also reached other parts of the capital. The Beijing Yizhuang GT World Challenge attracted over 26,000 spectators, with an automobile-themed carnival driving growth in surrounding dining, retail, and accommodation spending. In Miyun, the China Men's 3x3 Basketball League Championship linked cultural tourism resources and key commercial districts, opening the "Chao San" Market with over 30 merchants offering local specialties.
This coordinated approach, reported via Media OutReach Newswire, demonstrates how the "Dual Olympic City" has made holiday cultural tourism scenarios a standard feature of sports events, expanding consumption opportunities and enhancing the visitor experience. By integrating competitive sports, mass sports, and youth events across the city, Beijing is not only cementing its status as a global sports hub but also proving that sports can be a formidable engine for urban economic development, with implications for other cities seeking to leverage major events for broader prosperity.
