An aerial view of the Shenzhen Sports Center in Futian District. The newly renovated sports venue includes a 15,000-seat multipurpose arena (R), which is fully operational, and a football stadium (L), which is still under construction.
Shenzhen Leopards (Red) and the Jiangsu Dragons (white) players vie for the ball during a Chinese Basketball Association match at the Shenzhen Sports Center's newly renovated arena Oct. 18. Liu Xudong
An aerial view of the football stadium at the Shenzhen Sports Center, which is under construction.
An aerial view of the 15,000-seat multipurpose arena at the Shenzhen Sports Center. Liu Xudong
The Shenzhen Sports Center's multipurpose arena. Photos from Xinhua except otherwise stated
The Shenzhen Leopards clinched their first victory of the Chinese Basketball Association's (CBA) 2023-24 season with a strong 121-100 win over the Jiangsu Dragons in their home opener Oct. 18. Following two consecutive losses on the road, the Leopards returned to the Shenzhen Sports Center, and played for an enthusiastic crowd in the newly renovated arena in Futian District.
Major renovation
Originally constructed in 1985, the Shenzhen Sports Center has long served as a cornerstone for sports and entertainment in the city. It has hosted major events such as the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, the sixth National Games, and the eighth Asian Table Tennis Championships. The venue has also served as the backdrop for multiple Jia-A and Chinese Super League football seasons.
The ongoing renovation project, which began in May 2020, is geared towards modernizing the complex and transforming it into a versatile sports hub. Covering a vast area of 376,300 square meters, the project includes the development of new sports and cultural facilities, public fitness spaces, and recreational areas.
The centerpiece of the renovation is a 15,000-seat multipurpose arena, which is now fully operational. Equipped with a retractable roof and foldable video scoreboards — both firsts of their kind in China — the arena is versatile enough to host 16 different sports, including basketball, tennis, ice hockey, and gymnastics. It also features retractable seating and accessible areas for spectators with disabilities. Additionally, the arena includes a 2,400-seat secondary hall with basketball warm up and training courts for pre-game activities.
While the arena stands complete, work is ongoing on the football stadium, which will accommodate 45,000 spectators and serve as a professional-grade venue for future events.
Key venue for major events
The renovated Shenzhen Sports Center is slated to play a pivotal role in the 15th National Games in 2025, which will be jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. Various competitions, including badminton, men's football (U20 and U18), archery, and darts, will take place at the center.
Moreover, the venue is set to host the FIBA Women's Asia Cup, the premier women's basketball competition in the Asia-Pacific region, in July 2025. It has also secured the 2024 Li-Ning China Masters Badminton Tournament, a part of the HSBC World Tour Super 750 Series, further solidifying its status as a top-tier location for international sports events.
Praise from players, fans
Following the Leopards' triumph, French point guard Thomas Heurtel lauded the newly upgraded facility. "I've played in many countries, and this is one of the most beautiful arenas I've seen. The atmosphere was incredible, and the fans were really engaged," said Heurtel, who has previously played in top leagues in France and Spain and served as a backup to NBA star Tony Parker. Heurtel racked up 31 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds during the Oct. 18 game.
Zhou Peng, the Leopards' head coach, also shared his excitement after the win, saying, "With our home court at the newly upgraded Shenzhen Sports Center this year, we're thrilled to be playing in such an amazing arena. The turnout for our first home game was fantastic, and the fan support has been incredible. We're committed to giving them our best performances as a way to thank them for their unwavering support."
Shenzhen resident Zhang Guoxin, who attended the game, expressed his excitement. "I saw Yao Ming play here before the renovation, so this place has a lot of sentimental value for me. The new arena is fantastic, with great visuals, sound, and air conditioning," Zhang said.
Shenzhen Daily photographer Liu Xudong, who was covering the event, highlighted the stadium's sleek, modern design and its improved accessibility thanks to the nearby Huangmugang Transport Hub. He remarked, "It's a lot easier for fans to get here now, and the arena looks amazing."
Economic boost from sports events
The success of the Shenzhen Leopards' home opener not only brought excitement to fans but also contributed to a boost in the local economy. Large-scale sports events often lead to increased foot traffic and spending in nearby commercial areas, and the influx of spectators to the Shenzhen Sports Center provided a lift to surrounding businesses.
In addition to the sports center, neighboring facilities, including the swimming and diving halls and badminton and tennis centers, are also undergoing upgrades. New features will include a connecting corridor, a sports museum, a sports hotel, commercial services, and underground parking.
The revamped Shenzhen Sports Center is expected to become a hub for sports, business, and cultural tourism, drive the growth of the local sports industry, and offer residents more options for fitness and entertainment.
The high-profile events hosted at the center are also expected to invigorate nearby attractions like Bagualu Food Street, where visitor numbers and sales have surged by over 30% in recent years. As the number of international events scheduled to take place at the sports center increases, local businesses are set to experience sustained growth.