any emerging movement almost has to walk on the streets of big cities first, and then gradually penetrate into the alleys of small cities.
As for Peak, which has been introduced to China for a few years, even young people in first-tier cities have not yet been fully known, but have begun to be made into their own city labels by many third- and fourth-tier cities, and even the Central Plains town with a population of only tens of thousands is no exception.
Fight to be the “Pickball City”
Table of Contents
When you search for “Pickball City” in China, you will most likely not find a definite answer – more than one domestic city has this signature.
hebi was the first city to light up this business card. In September 2023, the China Peak Ball International Exhibition Tournament landed in Hebi. At the launch ceremony, the World Peak Ball League awarded the “Pick Ball City” to Hebi.
In the following year,Hebi built 512 petite courts,selected 27 athletes,and held several market and county-level petite competitions,and became the host of the first National Peak Football Championship.
World Peak Ball League awarded Hebi the title of “Pick Ball City”
Image source: Henan Provincial Sports Bureau
In May last year, Baoding and the World Peak Ball Federation jointly established the first Peak Ball training class in China, and trained more than 200 Peak Ball coaches and students for Baoding City. in November, Baoding became one of the stops of the first China Peak Ball Tour and was rated as the imagination space of “Pick Ball City”.
It is indeed also one of the cities were the first China Peak Ball Tour has landed. Dandong has built more than 200 Peak Ball venues in just three months, carried out more than 200 public welfare training activities, and radiated to more than 15,000 people. In addition to the event,Dandong said it will continue to develop industries such as pickball clothing equipment,cultural tourism and tourism.Build yourself into the nationwide “pickball City”.
In addition, Shangyou County, Jiangxi Province has taken a different approach and quietly seized the title of “Pickball Hometown”. Shandong Dongying Xianhe Town has further narrowed its attribution and has become the first domestic “Peak League Town”.
More areas that want to become a “famous city of sports events” have also set their sights on the Pickball, such as havingYangshan County, the first batch of pilot schools for special courses in Peak Ball Sports, etc.
Image source: Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau
Among the list of various cities, only Baoding can occasionally be rated as a second-tier city, while Dandong and Hebi can only rank outside the third-tier city. Even though this type of small town may not have a strong sports foundation, Peak Ball, which is in its infancy in China, is not “picking” and simple and direct association certification and event landing have become the main tools for matching “Pick Ball City” in various places.
with the help of the radiation of the event, upstream and downstream industries such as venue construction, market education, and equipment manufacturing have also been rapidly deployed, helping all regions seize the advancement opportunities of Pikeball, an emerging sports industry, and at the same time quickly gather the corresponding city image.
The most direct effect of becoming a certain city is to activate urban resources such as cultural tourism and catering, and stimulate urban economic development. Baoding in 2024The first Peak Ball Exchange Competition led to direct consumption of 10.3 million yuan, while indirect consumption of cultural tourism, specialty goods, etc. reached 46.98 million yuan.
This is particularly significant for third- and fourth-tier cities that cannot maximize the use of resources in their hands and find new engines to develop.
Why Pickball?
Pickleball’s Surge: Retired Tennis Pros Fuel Economic Boom and National Fitness Drive
From Tennis Courts to Pickleball Paddles: A New Career Path
The burgeoning popularity of pickleball is creating unexpected opportunities for retired tennis professionals. As domestic pickleball tournaments proliferate, many former tennis stars are transitioning to this rapidly growing sport, injecting their experience and competitive spirit into the pickleball scene. This shift not only provides them with a new avenue for athletic engagement but also contributes substantially to the sport’s rising profile.
“Traveling with the Event”: Pickleball’s Economic Impact
The rise of pickleball is not just a sporting phenomenon; it’s an economic driver. The concept of Traveling with the event
highlights how pickleball tournaments are generating ample revenue for host cities. For example, a single pickleball tournament in a southwestern Chinese city reportedly generated indirect income reaching 200 million yuan. This economic boost underscores the potential of pickleball to stimulate local economies through tourism, hospitality, and related industries.
Pickleball Aligns with National Fitness goals
Pickleball’s accessibility and ease of play make it an ideal sport for promoting national fitness initiatives. The sport aligns perfectly with national policies focused on fitness and weight management. Local governments are recognizing this potential, with some, like Shangyou County, aiming to establish themselves as Chinese Pickleball Hometowns
by providing accessible daily exercise venues for citizens.
A Low-Cost Path to National Fitness
According to Liang Jinxiong, former deputy director of the china Pickleball Working Committee, Pickleball is a national fitness sport that is easy to promote in China.
Promoting pickleball offers cities a cost-effective way to advance national fitness goals. Its relatively low equipment costs and simple rules make it accessible to a wide range of participants, encouraging greater participation in physical activity.
Pick Ball is a national fitness sport that is easy to promote in China.
Liang Jinxiong, former deputy director of the China Peak Ball Working Committee
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
While pickleball’s growth is undeniable, the sport faces challenges as it continues to evolve. Maintaining its accessibility while accommodating increasing competition will be crucial. However, the foundation has been laid for sustained growth, driven by enthusiastic players, supportive policies, and the sport’s inherent appeal.
Pickleball City Dreams: Can China Serve Up a Sustainable Success?
China’s ambitious plans for “Pickleball City” face crucial tests of resource depth, project alignment, and long-term investment.
Building a Legacy: The Foundation of a Sports City
For any city to truly earn the title of a renowned cultural or sports hub, a robust foundation of resources and infrastructure is essential. The early stages of China’s “Pickleball City” project are showing rapid expansion, but the real test lies ahead. According to sports analyst Duan Shaowu, the project’s success hinges on the city’s resource depth, project matching, and investment sustainability.
Consider the examples of Shanghai and Chengdu, cities vying for the title of international esports capitals. Their success isn’t solely based on hosting top-tier esports leagues. It’s the synergy of supporting industrial infrastructure and favorable policies that attracts world-class international esports competitions. These cities also boast large youth populations, strong economies, and well-developed urban infrastructure – resources that some aspiring sports cities currently lack.
Beyond Resources: Matching Projects and Ensuring Longevity
As pickleball gains traction and matures as a sport, establishing a city’s image requires careful consideration of project alignment and long-term viability. The United States offers a compelling case study in this regard.
Florida: A Model for Sustainable Pickleball Development
Florida has emerged as a pickleball hotspot, hosting influential tournaments and boasting numerous top-tier resorts. Its appeal extends to a significant demographic: the 65+ population, which aligns perfectly with pickleball’s growing popularity among older adults. Currently, the senior population in Florida accounts for over 20% of the state’s residents, making it a prime location for pickleball tourism and development.
Florida’s success demonstrates the importance of aligning a sport with a region’s demographics and existing infrastructure to create a “sustainable place” for enthusiasts.
Investment Pitfalls: Learning from Past Mistakes
The history of sports town development in China offers a cautionary tale about the importance of sustained investment and genuine commitment to sports development.
The Rise and Fall of Football Towns
In 2016, the “Notice on carrying out the Cultivation of Characteristic Towns” sparked a boom in sports town construction. Many of these projects, however, became deeply intertwined with real estate development, reminiscent of the “Jinyuan Era” in Chinese football, where investment was often driven by speculative opportunities. Looking back, many football towns that prioritized real estate over cultivating genuine sports characteristics have faced significant challenges, including project delays and financial difficulties.
The failure of many football towns serves as a stark reminder that sustainable sports city development requires a long-term vision and a commitment to fostering a thriving sports ecosystem, not just building real estate.
A Positive Example: Jingshan’s Success story
Jingshan offers a contrasting example of a accomplished sports city. [The original article was cut off here, so I cannot provide details about Jingshan’s success.This section would ideally be expanded with information about Jingshan’s approach to sports development.]
Jingshan: From Small Town to Tennis Powerhouse – A Model for Sports-Led Economic Growth
A Town Transformed: The Rise of Tennis in Jingshan
Jingshan, a county-level city in hubei province with a modest population of just 60,000, has undergone a remarkable change, emerging as a prominent hub for tennis. With a tennis ball population
exceeding 100,000, the city’s dedication to the sport is undeniable. This focus has spurred significant economic growth and community development.
Building a tennis Ecosystem: Infrastructure and Industry
Over the past eight years, Jingshan has strategically invested in developing its tennis infrastructure.The city now boasts nearly 400 tennis courts and is home to over 20 professional sports companies specializing in tennis. Weekend tennis competitions have become a regular fixture, drawing participants and spectators alike.
Beyond the courts, a thriving ecosystem of tennis-related businesses has emerged. From specialized tennis schools and training camps to tennis-themed restaurants and accommodations, Jingshan offers a comprehensive experience for tennis enthusiasts. This vertical integration of the sports culture has been key to the city’s success.
Economic Impact: Tourism and Revenue Surge
The impact of tennis extends far beyond the sports arena. In 2024, Jingshan welcomed approximately 1.8 million tourists, a testament to the city’s growing appeal as a sports tourism destination. Local officials project that the tennis industry will generate 5 billion in revenue this year, with expectations of doubling that figure within the next three years. This growth is particularly significant considering Jingshan’s economic output last year.
This model of sports-led economic development offers a compelling case study for other regions seeking to revitalize their economies and attract investment. The success of Jingshan demonstrates the potential of niche sports to drive tourism, create jobs, and foster a vibrant community.
The Future of Jingshan: A Sustainable Sports Economy
Jingshan’s commitment to tennis is not just a passing trend; it’s a long-term strategy for sustainable economic growth. By continuing to invest in infrastructure,support local businesses,and promote tennis at all levels,Jingshan is poised to solidify its position as a leading tennis destination and a model for sports-led development.
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Back to the development of domestic pick-up ball, the advantages of several domestic cities are largely because the sports themselves are in their infancy. If they can hold three or two events, they can widen the gap with other cities.
The certification and authorization of relevant federations can indeed allow the city to led the construction of “Pickball City”. However, the so-called official federation should be regarded as a transitional product in the early stages of Peak ball development. From the above, it can be seen that the “card registration” of Peak Ball City” does not have a unified certification body.
With the development of the movement, the improvement of top-level design will further clarify management functions and reduce the halo effect these institutions bring to the city in the early stage. The supporting events were fully launched and the original title certification was weakened, and all cities were pulled back to the same starting line.
Although Peak Ball has the characteristics of low threshold and easy to promote, when it enters the “second half” of the development cycle, compared with the spontaneous love of enthusiasts, the sustainability of top-down promotion needs to be questioned.
Especially in third- and fourth-tier cities where sports consumption capacity is weak, and Peak Ball, whose awareness is not high enough, breaks away from government intervention, weather the local market can form a logically self-consistent supply and demand cycle and whether the people can condense sports culture is all a question mark.
Source: city-pickle.com
all in allSmall cities can grasp the trend of emerging sports,which is certainly a positive signal for the integration of sports itself and even the integration of sports and cities,but how these cities will stick to the “Pickball City” in the future is more worthy of industry attention and thinking.
This article is reproduced from the sports industry Ecosystem (ID: ECO-SPORTS), and has been authorized. The copyright belongs to the Sports Industry Ecosystem. It may not be translated or reproduced without permission.
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