Hello Industry Friends, here is the very latest news and insights from Asia.
📰 Headlines: UFC announces Macau main card, Shang wins first ATP title, FIBA launches Jakarta office, Kabbadi set for Melbourne, MLB stars inspire hot dogs, VSPO launches multi-title tournament in Asia, and how Paris 2024 came to life online in China.
🗞️ Key Industry News
UFC Announces Macau Fight Night Card, Ticket Information
The main event will be a pivotal clash between two top 5-ranked bantamweights with huge title-shot implications. Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan is set to face former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. In the co-main event, former UFC women's strawweight title challenger and No. 2 ranked Yan Xiaonan reignites her championship quest by taking on surging phenom and No. 9 ranked Tabatha Ricci. Read more on ESPN (English)
💡 Our Take: Anticipation is building ahead of the UFC’s return to Macau, especially now that the main card has been announced as well as ticket on-sale dates. The Yan vs. Figueiredo and Yan vs. Ricci co-main mean Macau will be putting on top-class fights during Asian prime time to local audiences eager for the return of live UFC action.
Jerry Shang Wins Chengdu Open
The Chinese teenager beat Italy’s Olympic bronze medallist Lorenzo Musetti 7-6, 6-1, in the Chengdu Open final to become only the second Chinese player to win an ATP title. It is the first ATP Tour title for Shang, who is currently China’s No. 2 and ranked 55 in the world. Read more on SCMP (English)
💡 Our Take: Following Zheng Qinwen’s success at Paris 2024, it’s the men’s turn to win tournaments, as Jerry Shang claims his first ATP title. The timing couldn’t be better with tennis the talk of the town in China right now as the ‘China Swing’ kicks into gear in Beijing at the China Open. Following this will be the coveted Rolex Shanghai Masters, where all eyes will be on China’s young hopefuls up against the best male players in the world.
President of Indonesia Officiates FIBA’s Indonesia Office
The President of Indonesia Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inaugurated the Indonesia office of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in the Special Region of Jakarta. This is a follow-up to the successful 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Indonesia, as one of the hosts. Read more at Viva (English)
💡Our Take: After the FIFA office, which has proven to have a big impact on Indonesian football as a whole, the government wants to imitate the same way to the basketball market, with the presence of the FIBA office. After football, basketball is the second most popular sport in Indonesia, competing closely with Badminton and Volleyball. The presence of FIBA is expected to provide intensive guidance, quality training, and organization of sports events and venue development with international standards to create high-achieving athletes who will boost Indonesia's reputation on the international stage.
Kabaddi Set to Make its Mark in Melbourne
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has announced plans to host the first-ever professional Kabaddi league match outside of India in Melbourne within the next 18 months. During her visit to India, Allan said, "It will showcase the sport, Melbourne, and Victoria while strengthening the relationship between Victoria and India." Read more on 9news (English)
💡 Our Take: Originally set to debut as part of the now-cancelled Victorian Commonwealth Games, the push to bring Kabaddi to Melbourne continues. With Victoria’s large Indian community, this move signals the government’s ambition to grow the sport, expand its cultural influence in the region and showcase Melbourne as Australia's sporting capital to the Indian Sub-Continent.
"MLB Pocha" Reveals Special Hot Dogs inspired by Ohtani, Kim, and Lee
In Seongsu-dong, Seoul, people can experience hot dogs inspired by MLB stars such as Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers), Ha-seong Kim (San Diego Padres), and Jung-hoo Lee (San Francisco Giants) at the "MLB Pocha" pop-up store. This event, running from September 27 to 29, is designed to bring the spirit of Major League Baseball and American ballpark food to Korea, while incorporating local flavors. Celebrity chef Austin Kang, known for his appearance on "MasterChef Korea" and various brand endorsements, has created nine unique menu items inspired by MLB superstars. Read more on Naver (English)
💡Our Take: The combination of sports and food, especially such iconic pairings as baseball and hotdogs, is a great way for any brand to market itself. The way MLB has chosen to do so, by pulling in a celebrity chef, having them create unique combinations that adhere to local tastes and borrow the popularity of star players in the league, providing locals with a chance to meet some major league players, and executing an almost carnival-type pop-up event is a great way to promote not only the brand and its major players but also the sport itself as you don’t have to be a baseball fan to enjoy good food and fun activities.
Davis Cup Finals ‘Likely to Move’ to China in 2026
The finals of tennis’ Davis Cup could move from Spain to China in 2026, according to The Times. The men’s national team tournament is reportedly in line for a lucrative move in a deal estimated to be worth tens of millions of pounds to the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Read more on SportsPro (English)
Sporting Goods Go Beyond Fun and Games
Opportunities are growing for fitness equipment exporters in Xiamen, fueled by a fitness craze that has been further boosted by the recent summer Olympic Games in Paris. The 2024 Games sparked widespread fitness interest and encouraged more consumers to learn of new and more scientific ways of exercising, driving the growth of more customized fitness equipment, industry players said. Read more on China Daily (English)
Chinese Medalists Create Golden Sponsorship Deals
The latest generation of young Chinese athletes have been sought after by major enterprises for sponsorship deals, with gold medalists' commercial value reaching new peaks after the recently completed Paris 2024. Such sponsorships have helped companies garner more brand cachet after the global sporting extravaganza. Read more on China Daily (English)
Emirates Backs Asia Rugby in Multi-year Deal
The Dubai-based airline Emirates has stepped up its support for rugby union by agreeing a wide-ranging sponsorship deal with Asia Rugby. The multi-year deal will see Emirates become the title sponsor of the Asia Rugby Men’s and Women’s Championships, Asia Rugby Sevens Series and age-grade competitions. Read more on SportBusiness (English)
🤔 Opinion
How Paris 2024 Came to Life Online in China
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games were significant not only as the first Olympic Games with live spectators since the pandemic, but also for how they engaged audiences in China through digital platforms. In addition to state-owned companies like China Media Group and China Mobile-owned Migu, three major digital platforms - Tencent, Bytedance-owned Douyin, and Kuaishou - secured official media rights for the event, shaping how the Games were experienced and engaged with online. Read more on WARC (English)
How 5 International Brands Are Charting Growth in China Despite Miserly Consumers
Slowing consumption in China and fierce competition from domestic rivals have weighed on the performance of many international consumer brands. And yet a select few, including Lululemon, Adidas, and Ralph Lauren, have managed to outperform their peers and post strong revenue growth in recent months. Read more on SCMP (English)
🎮 Esports
VSPO Launches Multi-title Tournament in Asia with Saudi Arabia Backing
The Chinese esports company has announced its first multi-title tournament in Asia, marking a big push to expand its presence in the global industry with support from Saudi Arabia. The Esports Asian Champions League (ACL) will kick off next year, with tens of thousands of professional players set to compete across the continent in a six-month season each year, VSPO announced. Read more on SCMP (English)
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