Most Popular Sports China:Unveiling the Nation's Athletic Favorites 2025

Volleyball is a popular sport in China, with many local leagues and tournaments. Lin Dan is a professional badminton player from China who has achieved legendary status in the sport. She is popular in China because she has achieved major successes in tennis, while also being a strong advocate for women’s rights. She is an inspiration to many Chinese people and has become a role model for aspiring tennis players. The sports industry in China is growing each year, with its value recently reaching an annual 3 trillion yuan.

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• Table tennis also used to be China’s most successful sport until the 1980s, but this recently changed, as others like volleyball are on the rise.

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• Everything changed when in 1981 the Chinese women’s volleyball team went on to win the FIVB volleyball World Cup and brought in the revolution of volleyball in the country.

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• Bicycles are an important means of transportation and could be found everywhere in the country.
• This is another racket sport that is played on a hard court divided by a net.

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• Tai chi, a type of Chinese martial arts, when people are required to perform fighting moves slowly, paying attention to breathing.

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• It is a very exciting game and requires skill and dedication to win.

Liu Xiang, a phenomenal hurdler and former world record holder, stands as a prime example of China’s athletic prowess. National championships and international competitions, including the IAAF Diamond League, attract millions of Chinese viewers. As swimmers continue to make waves in global championships, swimming’s stature in China is set to soar, making it an integral part of the country’s sports landscape.

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One bicycle is for every two people of the total population. Bicycles are an important means of transportation and could be found everywhere in the country. However, with the fast development, more and more people began to use public transportation or private car. As the first Chinese male to reach the quarterfinals of an ATP 1000 tournament and a gold medalist at the Asian Games, Zhang is rapidly rising in the tennis world. But people in China not only watch sports, they are actively participate in different activities too.

Among the most renowned soccer players to have agreed to a transfer to China, for example, are the Argentinian Carlos Tevez, the Brazilian Hulk, and Jackson Martinez. The Columbian switched from Atletico Madrid to the Guangzhou Evergrande in 2016 for 42 million euros. This shift has led to a surge in outdoor sports participation, particularly among the younger generation and women. Activities like hiking, fishing, cycling, camping, surfing, and skiing have become popular across all city tiers. The Chinese government supports this trend by promoting health and the sports industry through various policies and events. Historically, sports in China have been deeply rooted in traditional practices such as Tai Chi and martial arts, with a strong emphasis on physical and mental well-being.

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However, badminton is among the fan favorites in the country, with China’s national team considered to be the most successful globally. The Chinese squad has won 10 Thomas Cup trophies and 14 Uber Cup competitions. The Beijing Olympics in 2008 marked a pivotal moment in this transformation, igniting a newfound passion for international sports among the Chinese populace. Other renowned Chinese badminton players include Fu Haifeng, the most successful player in men’s doubles, and Zhang Ning, who won two Olympic gold medals in women’s singles. When it comes to the competitive scene, women’s national volleyball is one of the best in the world. It won 2 Olympic gold medals, in 1984 and 2004, as well as 5 consecutive World titles during the 1980s, which were the golden era of Chinese volleyball.

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The conversation highlighted the remarkable dominance of the Dutch team, renowned for their exceptional skills and strategic prowess on the ice. The number of badminton players in China is also extremely high. They estimate that more than 100 million Chinese play badminton. Another popular sport in China is football, with around 700 million people playing each year.

Baseball has an ancient history in China, as it was brought to the country in 1864. Similar to golf, it was first played in Shanghai, and the Shanghai Baseball Club was the first organization in the country. Sadly, baseball was later disbanded and outlawed by Mao Zedong. The sport was first introduced to the country during the 1920s, and some Chinese fans love watching professional boxing, even though it is far from being the most popular sport. It was first played by foreign sailors in Shanghai and Guangzhou. The thirteenth most popular sport in China is rugby union.

Moreover, soccer serves as a cultural bridge between China and other countries around the world. It brings people together through shared love for the game and creates opportunities for cultural exchange. Soccer plays an important role not only in China’s sports landscape but also in its society as a whole. Chinese boxers use a style similar to Western boxing, but there are influences from traditional Chinese martial arts. The first Chinese male boxer to win a major professional world boxing title was Xiong Zhao Zong, in 2012.

In addition to the massive state funding for top-level sports, there are many sports trends that recreational athletes in China are discovering for themselves. Mobile gaming has allowed more people made a post to play games, while competitive gaming has attracted viewers to watch tournaments. His success at the highest levels of table tennis has earned him a huge following in China and around the world. 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.

Chinese audiences are being exposed to the sport through increased media coverage, including the launch of a dedicated F1 channel since 2017. Yoga is becoming increasingly popular in China due to its many health benefits. Yue Yoga is one of them which has followers currently on Yotube.