Walking through the streets of Nanjing these days, you can feel the strong presence of athletics in the air. From March 21 to 23, the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25 will take place at the “Nanjing's Cube”, featuring 26 track and field events that will attract over 500 elite athletes from more than 120 countries and regions. As the championship approaches, this city, which once witnessed the dawn of modern sports in China, is set to showcase its unique charm as a renowned sports hub to the world through a top-tier sporting event.
Looking Back: A Legacy of Sports Rooted in Centuries of Culture
Nanjing’s athletic heritage has long been embedded in the city’s history.
In 1910, China’s first-ever marathon (then called the “long-distance race walk”) was held in Nanjing, marking the beginning of marathon running in the country. In 1984, the Nanjing International Athletics Championships became the first large-scale nighttime international track and field event ever held in China.
In 2005, the 10th National Games of China were held in Nanjing, sparking a nationwide enthusiasm for sports. In 2014, the city welcomed the 2nd Youth Olympic Games, marking the first time China had hosted this prestigious event. It was on this international stage that Nanjing demonstrated its passion and vitality to the world.
Over the years, Nanjing has consistently hosted top-tier sporting events. From the 2017 Artistic Skating World Championships and the 2018 BWF World Championships to the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the Nanjing Marathon, which has been successfully held for eight consecutive years since 2015—each of these international competitions has reinforced Nanjing’s reputation as a world-renowned sports hub.
In recent years, Nanjing has taken a holistic approach by integrating sports with culture, entertainment, and tourism, fostering industry growth and driving continuous revitalization. In 2024 alone, the city hosted 17 international events, 70 national-level events, and 74 provincial-level events, generating a direct economic impact of RMB 6.48 billion. These events attracted a staggering 540 million live-stream viewers, with a total media influence value of RMB 4.312 billion.
In the Present: Major Sports Events Boosting Urban Vigor
With less than a week to go before the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25, preparations are in full swing. The indoor athletics arena at the Nanjing Sports Training Center has been divided into zones according to competition requirements, ready for athletes to take on the challenge. The first floor of the spectator stands, which can accommodate over 2,000 people, are also fully prepared, promising an immersive viewing experience as athletes race past.
This championship marks just the beginning of a spectacular year of sports in Nanjing.
In 2025, the city is set to host over 100 provincial-level and above sporting events. In addition to the World Athletics Indoor Championships, more than 10 major international competitions such as the Snooker International Championships and the 2025 Archery World Cup Finals will take place in Nanjing. Notably, the Archery World Cup Finals will be held in China for the first time, with a series of activities, such as “bringing competitions into scenic areas, neighborhoods, and business districts”, to enhance the fusion of sports, culture, and tourism. The 2025 Nanjing Marathon has been awarded the World Athletics Gold Label Road Race status for the first time and will continue to enhance track design, competition organization, and athlete experience. A series of exciting events will offer spectators and tourists a fresh viewing experience while helping Nanjing transform sports popularity into growth in culture and tourism.
Meanwhile, a variety of high-profile sports events, including the Chinese Track and Field Street Tour (featuring pole vaulting), the Chinese Street Dance League, and the Chinese Lion King Championship, will take place across Nanjing’s scenic spots and commercial districts, infusing the city with even more energy and excitement.
Citywide Fitness Boom: Bringing Sports to Every Neighborhood
“I can’t wait to watch the competition! and I’m really looking forward to it—I even feel like running myself!” In early March, 26 stations across three subway lines in Nanjing were adorned with athletics-themed decorations to welcome the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25. A subway passenger shared this genuine excitement upon seeing the transformation. In Nanjing, sports are no longer just professional competitions on the field but have become an integral part of everyday life for more and more residents.
“Expand access to sports facilities for the public and promote nationwide fitness activities; strengthen the popularization of scientific fitness and health interventions for young people; help the next generation build resilience and maintain physical and mental well-being through sports.” At this year’s National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the 2025 government work report repeatedly emphasized the importance of sports development.
In recent years, Nanjing has continuously enhanced its “Ten-Minute Fitness Circle”initiative, making exercise more accessible by repurposing idle spaces in urban areas, streets, and communities. The city has been expanding convenient sports facilities, including sports parks, mini fitness parks, fitness trails, and illuminated courts, ensuring residents can work out right at their doorstep. Over the past three years, Nanjing has renovated 141 illuminated courts, including 112 basketball courts, 6 football fields, 3 gateball courts, 10 badminton courts, 4 tennis courts, and 6 table tennis courts. In Nanjing, fitness is always within reach, and the national fitness movement is gaining momentum. By 2025, Nanjing Municipal Sports Bureau plans to build over 60 new sports fields in parks and green spaces, upgrade 600 sets of aging fitness equipment, improve the management and maintenance of outdoor exercise facilities, and enhance the infrastructure, safety, and service capabilities of public sports venues.
From the “Nanjing's Cube” to illuminated courts, from the roaring cheers in stadiums to the determined sweat in community gyms, sports have become an integral part of Nanjing’s urban identity. Every event reflects the city’s progress, every venue embodies its energy and appeal, and every stride taken by its people showcases their passion. In its own unique way, Nanjing is sharing the power and allure of sports with the world.
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