Hyrox, climbing, retro: China’s 2025 sports trends decoded

Last year, China’s sports scene hit its stride. From the “tenniscore” trend, buoyed by tennis star Zheng Qinwen’s rise to global fame, to the return of major events like the Shanghai Grand Prix and UFC Macau, 2024 cemented the mainland’s position on the global sports stage. Just shy of half of Chinese residents participated in physical exercise in 2024, an increase of 18.7% from 2018, reports the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). With millions of locals embracing sports and fitness, the Chinese government is set on growing the sports industry to 5 trillion RMB ($699.52 billion) this year. The return of international sports properties post-Covid will re-establish China as a key market, experts forecast. “The resurgence of high-profile gatherings like the Shanghai Grand Prix and UFC Macau Night signals a vibrant shift in China’s sports landscape,” says Luis Alciturri, a senior account manager at China-based digital sports agency Mailman. “Particularly in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), these events aren’t just feeding the sports crowd, they’re transforming the region into a hub of entertainment and sports.” The nation’s rising focus on health and wellness is sparking mainstream enthusiasm for previously niche activities, such as surfing and hiking — a movement fueled in part by domestic social platforms like Xiaohongshu. What’s next for China’s booming sports industry in 2025? Jing Daily predicts the sports and fitness trends poised to shape this year. Hyrox China’s rising singles economy and the Gen Z loneliness epidemic have given way to locals seeking companionship and social connection. Many are turning to sports and fitness clubs as a solution. One community-focused sport gaining traction is Hyrox, the fitness competition blending endurance and strength, which has surged in popularity across the West, drawing over 260,000 participants to last year’s events alone. Its cultural influence has reached China, where Hyrox Beijing debuted in November last year, attracting over 2,000 competitors and 1,000 spectators. User-generated content online has boosted Hyrox’s appeal. The hashtag HyroxBeijingstop (hyrox北京站), for instance, has garnered over 430,000 views on Chinese social platforms, as curiosity about the sport grows. Hyrox’s format of doubles races and four-person relays has also propelled its recent momentum. According to research from Daxue Consulting, Chinese consumers increasingly favor joy and social connection in sports, shifting from a results-driven mindset to one focused on shared experiences. “Expect community-driven sports to thrive as this trend solidifies its roots in 2025,” Mailman’s Alciturri says. Meanwhile, Hyrox’s blend of functional fitness and endurance has made it a popular choice, says Olivia Plotnick, founder of Shanghai-based marketing service Wai Social. “It is less technical than other competitions, such as Spartan, and less physically demanding than an Ironman, making it more accessible to general fitness enthusiasts,” she adds. Rock climbing Last year saw interest in outdoor sports soar across China, fueled by the post-Covid shift toward open-air activities. By September, the country boasted over 177,000 outdoor-related enterprises, with 42,000 new registrations in the first nine months alone — a nearly 50% year-on-year spike. For brands, the timing couldn’t be better. China’s outdoor sports product market is expected to hit 600 billion RMB ($84.4 billion) this year, making it a lucrative opportunity for sports-fashion tie-ins. Falling under the outdoor sports umbrella, rock climbing’s inclusion at last year’s Paris Olympic Games has stoked a surge in interest across China. A report issued by the JD Research Institute for Consumption and Industrial Development under Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com reveals that in the first half of 2024, the turnover of chalk powder, helmets, and shoes for rock climbing rose 151%, 42%, and 40% YoY, respectively. The trend of hiring climbing buddies is also rising among locals, having captured over 100 million views on Chinese social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu and Douyin in recent months. These companions are often university students, military veterans, or fitness enthusiasts who offer their services to assist climbers on mountainous terrains for a fee ranging between 200 RMB to 600 RMB ($30 to $85) as a popular way for young people to earn extra income. Xiaohongshu plays a key role in rock climbing’s China evolution, says Alciturri. “[The app] is revolutionizing community engagement in sports. Its success in promoting niche activities like rock climbing and pilates showcases the power of user-generated content to connect like-minded enthusiasts,” he adds. “This platform is not just fostering participation; it’s igniting a movement among Gen-Z, making fitness a lifestyle that thrives on shared experiences.” Return of retro Nostalgia-driven retro sports will also stage a comeback in 2025, predicts Wai Social’s Plotnick. “Retro sports like bowling, frisbee, and shuffleboard attract audiences with their nostalgic, sociable, and relaxed vibes, making them popular for recreational and social activities,” she says. Plotnick notes that, while last year’s sports scene in China was defined by a renewed focus on wellness and escaping busy lives, this year will likely see the rise of activities that marry socializing and fun with physical movement. “This trend towards more specialized activities is part of a broader movement where young Chinese are seeking meaningful experiences that align with their values of sustainability and community,” Plotnick says. “What makes this particularly interesting is how it reflects a sophisticated approach to leisure time, where young consumers are prioritizing activities that offer both social currency and personal development, despite economic pressures.” Padel, the sport born in the late 1960s, is similarly enjoying a revival in China, says Alciturri, fueled by government investment and a rapid expansion of facilities (court numbers nearly doubled last year). While it may not dominate in 2025, Alciturri predicts the sport is poised for significant growth over the next five years.

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Hyrox, climbing, retro: China’s 2025 sports trends decoded