Rural basketball tournaments boost local economies
2026-08-10 19:08:48
By Zhou Chunyi.
Rural basketball tournaments, popularly known as "Village BA," have become a regular activity across Yichang, attracting spectators and boosting local consumption.
In Dangyang, the 2026 rural basketball tournament lasted 29 days and attracted more than 2.7 million online and offline viewers. Beyond the courts, night markets featuring snacks, beverages, and handmade crafts thrived alongside the games. Stall revenue around the venue exceeded 2 million yuan (US$296,440) during the tournament.
“I returned to my hometown to start a street-food stall three years ago, just as the first Village BA was being held. The crowds gave my business a huge boost,” said Mr. Shuang, who runs a grilled squid stall. He added that his daily revenue has reached nearly 2,000 yuan, about four times his usual earnings.
Rural basketball tournaments, popularly known as "Village BA," have become a regular activity across Yichang, attracting spectators and boosting local consumption.
In Dangyang, the 2026 rural basketball tournament lasted 29 days and attracted more than 2.7 million online and offline viewers. Beyond the courts, night markets featuring snacks, beverages, and handmade crafts thrived alongside the games. Stall revenue around the venue exceeded 2 million yuan (US$296,440) during the tournament.
“I returned to my hometown to start a street-food stall three years ago, just as the first Village BA was being held. The crowds gave my business a huge boost,” said Mr. Shuang, who runs a grilled squid stall. He added that his daily revenue has reached nearly 2,000 yuan, about four times his usual earnings.
A packed Dangyang Sports Center during the Village BA tournament. Photo by Liu Zaihong.Yiling, Zhijiang, Yuan'an, Yidu and other districts in Yichang have also launched Village BA events featuring local characteristics, including intangible cultural heritage performances, folk activities, and recreational programs for people of all ages.
Local authorities said they will continue hosting rural basketball events and expanding related commercial activities to strengthen the role of community sports in promoting rural economic development.
Zhang Kai and Chen Xin, Nie Meiling, Xiao Lu also contributed to this story.
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