Asia Sports Business Weekly | 9th May

Hello Industry Friends, here is the very latest news and insights from Asia.

📰 Headlines: Zhao Xintong becomes Asia’s first snooker world champion, MMA to feature in 2026 Asian Games, Vidio extends EPL rights until 2028, EPL establishes Mumbai base, and Shanghai emerges as Asia’s top esports city. 

---

🗞️ Key Industry News

Zhao Xintong Becomes China’s First World Snooker Champion

The 28-year-old became the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship with a victory over Welshman and three-time winner Mark Williams at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield last weekend. Snooker, already a popular sport in China, is likely to see a big boost following Zhao’s epic win. Read more on CNN (English)

💡 Mailman Take: Zhao Xintong has become the first-ever Asian player to be crowned World Champion, immediately elevating the 28-year-old to hero status in China. We expect packed-out snooker halls, young kids picking up cues, sponsors clamouring over the sport, and a huge boost to what has long been a very popular sport in China, both professionally and recreationally. China has over 300,000 snooker clubs across the country, and we anticipate this number growing considerably in the coming months. Every sport needs a new star now and then - snooker has just found its own.

---

2026 Asian Games to Feature MMA

Mixed Martial Arts is scheduled to make its first appearance at the continental tournament when Japan hosts the event in 2026. The 2026 Asian Games will take place in Nagoya and the wider Aichi prefecture from 19 September to 4 October. According to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), MMA will feature six events in its debut and will be classified as a discipline under combat sports. Read more on Inside The Games (English)

💡 Mailman Take: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), in particular the UFC, has grown in popularity immensely in recent years following an increase in top stars, more events across the continent, and a wider acceptance from Governments toward the sport. The inclusion in the Asian Games is further evidence of this acceptance, which will hopefully filter down the chain into educational systems, allowing for more generations to take up the sport.

Vidio Extends EPL Rights Until 2028 via Fabrizio Romano

Vidio made history as the first Over-The-Top (OTT) platform in Indonesia to secure Premier League broadcast rights for two consecutive terms, starting in 2022, by locking in the extension until 2028. To announce this milestone, Vidio adopted a unique marketing strategy by partnering with renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano. Known for his iconic phrase, "Here We Go!" Romano’s involvement amplified the announcement, making it go viral and capturing the local audience’s attention. Read more on SEA Today (English)

💡 Mailman Take: The strategic use of Romano's influential presence and catchphrase made the news highly shareable on social media, quickly capturing the attention and enthusiasm of the local audience. As a result, the announcement not only generated buzz but also strengthened Vidio’s brand identity as a dynamic and forward-thinking sports content provider. This combination of securing a historic broadcast deal and executing a clever, impactful marketing campaign further solidified Vidio’s reputation as Indonesia’s leading platform for Premier League coverage.

Premier League Establishes Mumbai Base

The English Premier League has announced the Indian city of Mumbai as the destination of its latest international office. The India office will seek to further underpin the League’s commitment to supporting the development of football across India at both elite and grassroots level through strengthened collaboration with football authorities and governing bodies. Read more on SportBusiness (English)

Nike Brings its “After Dark Tour” All-Women’s Night Run to Shanghai

Nike opened sign-ups for the Shanghai event between 28 and 31 March. For $6.88, any one of the over 3,500 women runners who won the ballot received a Nike product trial, professional online and offline coaching for 6 weeks, preparation service, after-run recovery and celebration, etc. Read more on DAO (English)

Mikasa Adds Asian Volleyball Confederation to Portfolio

The sports equipment company has agreed to a ball supplier deal with the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC). The deal will cover AVC events in 2025 and 2026. Mikasa agreed the deal with the support of Volleyball World, which has an existing global agreement with the company running from 2024 to 2032. Read more on SportBusiness (English)

China's Bold Leap into Robotic Sports

They don't run on lungs, they don't feel the fatigue, but their struggle to stay on their feet is real. Welcome to China's first ever Robot Multisport Games, where AI leaves the lab to take on, step by step, the most human of physical challenges: competing. Read more on Inside The Games (English)

Xinjiang Expands Sports Infrastructure With 88,800 Venues by 2024

By 2024, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in northwestern China had built 88,800 sports venues, boosting local sports development and participation. The total marked an increase of 8.4 percent compared to 2023's total of 81,928 venues, and Xinjiang organised 54,000 sports events and activities at various levels throughout last year, bringing athletic activities closer to local communities. Read more on China Daily (English)

Shanghai 2025: World’s Best Archers Back in Shanghai for 15th Time

The Hyundai Archery World Cup is back in China next week for the second stage of 2025, with over 270 athletes from 37 countries competing to win tickets to Nanjing, also of China, the location of this year’s Hyundai Archery World Cup Final. Read more on World Archery (English)

---

🎮 Esports​​

Shanghai Emerges as Asia's Top Esports Tournament City

Shanghai has earned the position of leading esports tournament host city in Asia, with a complete ecosystem spanning events, commercialization, and audience engagement. Shanghai hosted the Dota 2 tournament Asian Champions League x E-Sports League Challenger China from May 1 to May 3, attracting over 3,000 spectators and millions of online viewers. Read more on Yicai Global (English)

China’s First Asian Champions League Signs Key Partners

Hero Esports, which operates China’s first Asian Champions League (ACL), has announced its partner lists for the event, as well as the DreamHack Shanghai, a part of ACL from May 16-18. It is also the first time DreamHack has come to China. ACL is a multi-title esports tournament that features a $2m total prize pool. Read more on The Esports Advocate (English)

---

🤔 Opinion

Will Pelliot’s IPO Redefine China’s Outdoor Market?

Chinese outdoor apparel brands are thriving, with Pelliot’s upcoming IPO signaling major competition for global powerhouses like Arc’Teryx and The North Face. Read more on Jing Daily (English)

---

Subscribe here to keep up-to-date with all the latest sports business news from China.

Founded in China in 1999, Mailman has evolved to become one of Asia’s leading sports digital agencies. We are digital marketers who help sports rights holders enhance their local brand equity and create sustainable presences. We exist at the intersection of digital & technology, helping the world’s biggest sports, entertainment & lifestyle brands build successful businesses in international growth markets. Learn more about our story here.