Shanghai kicks off 2026 with packed sports events

Shanghai launched its 2026 sports calendar on Jan 1, ushering in a year that will feature 165 international and domestic sporting events, including the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix and the Global Champions Tour Shanghai.

The 2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix is scheduled for March 13 to 15 at the Shanghai International Circuit. As the second stop of the season, it will host sprint races for the third consecutive year, marking the first sprint event of the new season.

A total of 22 cars from 11 teams will compete over the three-day event, which will again include female drivers.

In May and October, Shanghai will stage a cluster of high-profile events during the national holidays. May will see the Archery World Cup, the Rose Regatta, the Yangtze River Delta Athletics Diamond Gala, and the Ironman 70.3 Shanghai.

The National Day holiday in October will feature the ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai, alongside the Shanghai Trophy and Shanghai 8 Hours. The 2026 Buick LPGA is scheduled for Oct 15 to 18, with local star Yin Ruoning among the expected contenders.

A major highlight in October will be the UCI Track World Championships, which will be held on the Chinese mainland for the first time. The event is expected to attract around 400 athletes from 45 countries and regions.

Shanghai's marathon season will include 14 events throughout the year. The flagship Shanghai Marathon will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Dec 6 and introduce a notable change, with the five-kilometer fitness run becoming a separate event held one day before the full marathon.

Source: https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Events/20260105/6f341a9052124c79996b3b180fe91d82.html