The 26th Shandong Province Sports Games opened on Aug 26 in Linyi, Shandong, captivating over 50,000 on-site spectators with a panoramic immersive ceremony featuring naked-eye 3D technology and drone arrays depicting the region's landscapes. A record 21 million viewers watched online.
Beyond the spectacle, the games have delivered tangible dividends. To host the event, Linyi constructed or renovated 33 competition venues across all 12 counties and districts.
After the event, these facilities will remain open to the public either for free or at a low cost, transforming from temporary event sites into lasting fitness resources. The Linyi Olympic Sports Park features an ice-to-basketball conversion system, exemplifying sustainable venue management.
The influx of visitors has stimulated consumption. Data reveals a marked surge in Linyi's accommodation, dining, and shopping sectors since the first breakdancing final was held in March. This consumption boost is a result of deliberate planning.
Linyi introduced the "Watch the games, tour Linyi" campaign, offering exclusive benefits at over 70 scenic spots, resorts, and homestays. Tailored viewing routes and intangible cultural heritage zones featuring local crafts and cuisine are enhancing the visitor experience, turning event traffic into lasting economic momentum.
This historic moment marks a significant step toward establishing Linyi as a modern regional hub, blending its revolutionary heritage with contemporary vitality and creating a new city image for global audiences.
Linyi's 33 newly built or renovated venues remain open for public fitness after the games, transforming a sporting event into a lasting urban legacy. [Photo/Dazhong News]
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