Asia Sports Business Weekly | 10th May

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

?? Key Headlines: Equestrian action returns to Shanghai, Jakarta to stage Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, Indonesian Ministry of Sports begins collaboration with Al-Nassr, ‘Wild Punch’ to launch at Cannes Market, and Liverpool enters into first South Korean retail deal.

??? Key Industry News

Shanghai's Back in the Saddle

After five years away, the Longines Global Champions Tour returned to Shanghai for the fourth leg of its 2024 circuit, marking a significant return to China. From May 3 to 5, a brand-new venue welcomed over 22k spectators for the three-day elite show jumping competition, held at the Shanghai Juss International Equestrian Centre. Read more on China Daily ?(English)

?? Our Take: Equestrian sports made strong headway in China until COVID-19 halted live sport in the country. Now that China is fully open again, the sport is continuing its rise, particularly with top local talent such as Alex Huatian, an increase in the number of events across the country, world-class facilities, and a steady rise of participants and fans.

Jakarta to Stage Landmark Artistic Gymnastics World Championships

The Artistic Gymnastics World Championships will be held in Southeast Asia for the first time after the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) awarded hosting rights for next year’s edition to Jakarta. The Indonesian capital will host the event after the FIG Executive Committee approved a bid from the Indonesia Gymnastics Federation (PB Persani). Read more on SportBusiness ?(English)

?? Our Take: Indonesia continues to make breakthroughs by hosting world events. After FIBA, the U-17 World Cup, MotoGP, and F1 Powerboat, the 2025 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships will be another event to show Indonesia's capacity & market values in hosting world-level sporting events fully supported by the government. For gymnastics, this is crucial to trigger the future of the sport because so far the athletes are only concentrated in Jakarta and haven't touched other areas.

Indonesian Ministry of Sports Begins Collaboration with Al-Nassr

The Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, accepted the invitation of Al-Nassr CEO, Guido Fienga, to start their partnership. Apart from talent scouting, this meeting also opens up the possibility of Al-Nassr playing a friendly match in Indonesia next year. Read more on?Tempo ?(English)

?? Our Take: Following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo to Al-Nassr, the popularity of the Saudi Arabian club has skyrocketed, including in Indonesia, which is seen as an important market for them. Al Nassr's arrival in Indonesia would be huge, not only in terms of exposure, but also financially for both parties. It would also mark the first time Cristiano Ronaldo competed in a football match in Indonesia.

Japan’s U-Next Lands Joint Premier League, FA Cup Rights Deal

U-Next will reportedly take over Premier League rights from Eclat Media Group, which holds rights to England’s top-tier league from 2022-23 to 2024-25. DAZN, the media group and subscription sports broadcaster, holds FA Cup rights in Japan until the end of this season.?Read more on SportBusiness ?(English)

Chinese Sports Film ‘Wild Punch’ to Launch at Cannes

Fortissimo Films picked up the international rights to the new Chinese sports feature film “Wild Punch,” where the company will launch the film in territories outside mainland China next week at the Cannes Market. Wild Punch is a sports and action drama about a top mixed martial arts athlete who has passed the peak of his career and faces competition from his young and gifted trainee. Read more on Variety ?(English)

Bangkok is Ready to Host 74th FIFA Congress

3k delegates will be in attendance when the 74th FIFA Congress gets underway in Bangkok next week. Thailand will be the first ASEAN country and only the fifth in Asia to host the annual get-together of world football chiefs, which will take place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre from May 13 to 17. Read more on Bangkok Post ?(English)

Liverpool Enters into First South Korean Retail Deal

The Premier League club has moved to further engage with its Asian fanbase by agreeing to its first retail deal in South Korea with Over the Pitch. Together, Liverpool and brand and creative design studio Over the Pitch will collaborate on product development, market expansion, and growing the club’s fanbase in the market. Read more on SportBusiness ?(English)

Shanghai - The Melting Pot of Cultures and Styles: Relive its Olympic Connection

When Shanghai hosts the first Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) event from 16-19 May, history will be written as athletes in four urban sports will come together for the first-of-its-kind multi-sport Olympic qualification event. Shanghai was a regular host city of the Far Eastern Games in the early 20th century, playing host three times in 1915, 1921, and 1927 to the predecessor to the modern-day Asian Games. Read more on the Olympics ?(English)

?? Opinion

South Korean Football Coaches Make Mark in Southeast Asia

History is repeating itself in Southeast Asia, where a South Korean football coach is again the toast of an entire nation. A banner displaying an image of Shin Tae-yong, the South Korean football coach currently helming Indonesia's national team, held up by a fan at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on March 21 summed up the situation. Read more on Nikkel ?(English)

Columbia’s Summer Campaign Captivates Chinese Outdoor Enthusiasts

Columbia’s new brand video, featuring actor Jiang Qiming, captures the essence of summer hiking, resonating with Chinese viewers. Read more on Jing Daily ?(English)

Taking Over China: Ugly Footwear Collabs

Footwear brands Ugg and Crocs reported booming financial results, thanks largely to carefully selected collaborations driving growth in China. Read more on Jing Daily ?(English)

?? Esports

G2E Asia Returns to Macau for its 15th Anniversary in Collaboration With The Asian IR Expo

The G2E Asia gaming expo is set to return to Macau from June 4-6 this year, marking its 15th anniversary. Collaborating with the Asian IR Expo, this year's event aims to offer attendees networking opportunities within the gaming, entertainment, and integrated resort industries. Read more on Yogonet ?(English)

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