Provincial games help transform Linyi into sporting hub

In the wake of the 26th Shandong Province Sports Games, Linyi in Shandong has completed a remarkable transformation from a historic ancient city into a vibrant sporting hub.

The city has upgraded 33 professional venues, added fitness facilities to 323 old residential communities, and unveiled 4,000 new sports spaces, solidifying its position as a provincial leader in sports infrastructure.

This transformation extends beyond infrastructure. A comprehensive sports service network spanning city, county, township, and village levels has been established, with 16,000 social sports instructors offering professional guidance to residents. The city's regular exercise participation rate climbed to 43.1 percent, marking a 4.58 percentage point rise over the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20).

Building on its experience hosting the provincial games, Linyi has become a regular host of major national and international competitions. The city has hosted over 300 international and domestic events, including the FIVB Men's Volleyball Challenge Cup, CBA, and WCBA. Over five years, more than 25,000 sporting events have been organized, with 60 percent held in rural areas and communities.

Since the Linyi Olympic Sports Park opened in 2024, it has attracted over 1 million out-of-town visitors, generating over 500 million yuan ($74.44 million) in revenue for local businesses and boosting local restaurant revenue by 300 percent.

The Shandong Sporting Goods Exhibition, held for seven consecutive years, has facilitated over 2 billion yuan in prospective deals, establishing Linyi as a leading platform for the northern sports industry.

The 26th Shandong Province Sports Games fuel Linyi's transformation, cementing its reputation as a premier sporting destination.

Editor：韩蒙蒙