The Top 6 Most Popular Sports in China

China is one of the oldest civilizations and cultures in the world - and Chinese people have played sports for centuries.

But what are the most popular sports in China?

In this article, we explore the most popular sports amongst Chinese people. Read on to find out!

Chinese people have been participating in and playing sports for centuries. From archery to swordplay to traditional football, sports in China date back to ancient times and the earliest dynasties.

Modern Chinese culture is incomplete without sports. The sports industry in China is worth 3.12 trillion yuan, which is sure to increase in the coming years.

Physical fitness is an integral part of Chinese culture, and you will find thousands of commercial gyms and fitness clubs in China.

Around 67.5% of Chinese people older than seven years old participate in sports activities to improve their health and fitness.

Chinese athletes and sportspeople are famous for their fitness, thanks to the cultural influence of martial arts and other sports.

However, China has also embraced modern sports, from football and basketball to table tennis and snooker.

In this article, we discuss the most popular sports in China, including plenty of facts and figures.

1. Badminton

Lin Dan is one of the most famous Chinese badminton players
100 million people in China play Badminton
Chinese players hold the Olympic record for badminton
Zhang Ning is a famous female Chinese badminton player

British expatriates first introduced badminton to China in the late 19th century. It is the most popular sport in China because people of all ages, walks of life and skill levels can play this game.

Badminton also has cultural significance in China, and the history of badminton in the country goes back to the Tang Dynasty.

Over 100 million people in China play badminton, making it the most popular sport.

In addition, the national badminton team has made several achievements at the international level.

For instance, the men's badminton team has won 10 Thomas Cups, and the women's team has won 15 Uber Cups.

Chinese badminton players hold the record of sweeping the 2012 Olympics, winning all goal medals.

Chinese badminton players have made substantial efforts to make a name for their country throughout history.

Lin Dan is considered one of the most versatile, skilled and successful badminton players of all-time. Dan has won several international championships, including two Olympic gold medals.

Chen Long is another badminton player famous for winning a gold medal in the Summer Olympics of 2016.

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.

2. Table Tennis or Ping Pong

Ping pong is the national sport of China
Chinese ping pong players have won 60% of all men’s World Championships in the last 60 years
Female Chinese ping pong players have won the majority of women’s World Championships since 1971

Table tennis or ping pong is one of the most popular sports in China for several reasons.

The Chinese love this sport because it is easy to learn and practice. People from all walks of life can play this sport, improve their fitness and create memorable experiences.

Mao Zedong declared ping pong the national sport of China in 1949. Table tennis has a long and prestigious history in China, dating back to the Tang Dynasty.

Modern Chinese table tennis players have appeared in several international tournaments and achieved great success, including World Championship titles and Olympic medals.

Chinese table tennis players have won 60% of all men's World Championships in the last 60 years - and some of the greatest table tennis players of all-time are Chinese.

Female ping pong players are not behind in the race, as they have won the majority of World Championships since 1971.

Famous Chinese ping pong players include:

Ma Long
Wang Nan
Deng Yaping
Jan-Ove Waldner

China has 24 provincial ping pong teams with over 2761 players, including 1,590 male and 1,171 female players.

The Chinese government and sports department has made substantial efforts to promote ping pong throughout the country.

This includes:

48 table tennis talent-hunting programs
48 ping pong training schools
1,141 table tennis clubs

3. Martial Arts

Over 80 million martial arts athletes in China
80% of millennials participate in martial arts
Martial arts teach Chinese youth self-respect, humility and discipline

Martial arts are an integral component of Chinese culture, and people in this country have been practising the different types of martial arts for thousands of years.

In ancient China, people would practice martial arts to improve their hunting skills and self-defence. It was also a part of military training in China.

Martial arts hold cultural significance in China because they focus on the country's philosophy and religion, and Shaolin Kung Fu was one of the first forms of the practice.

The Chinese value Kung Fu because it teaches morality, self-respect, patience, humility and discipline.

China has over 80 million martial arts athletes, including boxers and Mui Thai professionals.

Most of these athletes are 18 to 30 years old, meaning young individuals are keenly interested in martial arts.

Around 80% of millennials participate in martial arts, and among them, 70% are young men.

Moreover, China has over 90 million students participating in mixed martial arts. The country has more than 15,000 training institutes teaching and promoting different forms of martial arts.

4. Snooker and Billiards

Ding Junhui is one of the most famous Chinese snooker players
1500 snooker clubs in Shanghai and 1200 clubs in Beijing
Over 120 million people play billiards in China

Snooker or billiards is another popular sport in China, and it is one of the most popular bar games in the world.

Over 50 million people play the game of snooker.

Ding Junhui was a professional snooker player who won several international championships, and he is the primary reason behind the soaring popularity of snooker in China.

China has hundreds of snooker clubs in different cities, including 1,500 clubs in Shanghai and 1,200 facilities in Beijing.

While most Chinese play snooker as a recreational sport, young players show a keen interest in this game at a professional level.

Moreover, over 120 million people in China play and practice billiards.

The country has hosted several international tournaments.

This includes six of the 18 competitions in 2016:

China Championship
International Championship
Shanghai Masters
Haining Open
World Open
China Professional Tour

5. Basketball

This sport is popular in Shanghai
Over 600 million basketball fans
The number of Chinese people who play basketball equals America’s entire population!

YMCA missionaries, who traveled to China in the late 19th century, first introduced basketball in the country. This sport gained popularity in China in the early 20th century, particularly in Shanghai.

China declared basketball a national pastime in 1935 and created an Olympic team in 1936 with skilled players recruited from different regions of the country.

More than 450 million people in China enjoy watching basketball in arenas and on TV.

Likewise, around 300 million people in China play basketball. Some Chinese players have even played for the NBA in America, such as Sun Ye, Yi Jianlian and mega star, Yao Ming.

Fun Fact: the number of Chinese people who play basketball equals America's entire population!

China has over 600 million basketball fans enjoying local, provincial and national competitions, including the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), Asia's most famous league.

Yao Ming dunking on Shaquille O'Neal — Chinese basketball star Yao Ming getting the better of Shaquille O’Neal

6. Football / Soccer

Over 200 million people participate in and enjoy watching football
Over 26 million registered Chinese football players
Most Chinese players earn over $146,000 per year

Although football is not as popular as other sports in China, over 200 million people participate in football and enjoy watching it - and football is one of the most popular sports in the world.

There are over 26 million registered Chinese football players, with the popularity of football growing throughout the country.

Football has also gained commercial success in China, as the sports department and private clubs pay high salaries to professional players.

In fact, most players earn over $146,000 or one million yuan a year.

Chinese people enjoy football throughout the country, whether in homes, restaurants, tea houses or commercial areas; they spend time around TVs and radios to get updates on football matches.

Summing up the Most Popular Sports in China

The sports landscape in China is rich and diverse, reflecting the country's deep-rooted historical and cultural influence.

As you explore China's most popular sports, you cannot help but appreciate the love for badminton and table tennis, both of which have gained immense popularity in recent years.

Martial arts, deeply ingrained in Chinese culture, continues to thrive, teaching millions of young enthusiasts valuable life lessons.

As they continue to evolve, they will undoubtedly play an even more significant role in shaping the nation's identity and fostering unity among its people.

Do you play any of these sports? Let us know in the comments!