On the morning of May 10, the central atrium of the Daning International Commercial Plaza was transformed from its usual retail setting into a professional table tennis venue.
The 2026 Shanghai Table Tennis Carnival Mixed Team Championship “Ping Out Jing Cai” Jing’an District Qualifying Finals took place here. Instead of traveling to a dedicated sports venue, local residents could pause while shopping or relaxing to watch high-level ping pong matches. The event naturally blended sports with the commercial environment.
“Shopping or watching a match? I want both.” The mall’s atrium became a temporary playing field, with cheers ringing out constantly—a true snapshot of this weekend’s atmosphere. Many passersby slowed down, stopped, and watched up close, feeling the speed and rhythm of table tennis.
A total of 59 teams registered for the event, covering different industries and age groups. Shen Lianxin, deputy director of the Jing’an District Sports Bureau, said on site that bringing high-level competitions into commercial areas is a deep integration of culture, commerce, tourism, and sports. “Sports events can drive foot traffic to the mall, and allow citizens to enjoy athletic excitement nearby. There is only one champion, but in table tennis, participation is victory,” he said.
After intense competition, the Jing’an Table Tennis Association team won the championship, wearing gold uniforms as they stepped onto the podium. The Statistics Bureau team placed second, and Shanghai Mobile Wisdom earned third place.
“The whole match was very tight. Our opponents were strong, more challenging than we expected,” said team captain Zhuang Ruijun. A frequent competitor in professional matches, Zhuang shared her impression of the new commercial venue format: “The space is more open, the atmosphere lighter, so the rhythm of the game feels different. It’s a unique experience. Plus, such events allow people of all ages to get close to table tennis and truly promote the sport’s popularity.”
Meanwhile, two local fans You Kunxi from Nanjing West Road Subdistrict and Wang Jianqiang from the Jiusan Society “Seventeen Ping Pong Team” had both trained at the Jing’an Junior Sports School in their early years. They came specifically to watch the finals. “The Shanghai table tennis carnival is blossoming everywhere, creating a lively vibe,” You said. Watching live at the mall felt completely different from TV broadcasts or community play—the intensity was far more thrilling. Wang added that such mass events improve amateur skills and boost mall traffic, making it a win-win.
Eighty-year-old Liu Xiaohua also made a special trip. “I read about the event in the newspaper and came to check the location yesterday,” he said. For him, seeing a formal competition inside a mall for the first time was delightful, with bustling crowds adding to the atmosphere. He suggested adding clearer signs to help spectators find the viewing area.
Beyond the matches, the Daning International Central Plaza had interactive experience zones that proved very popular. Activities like “Ping Pong Flip,” “Ping Pong Cover Great Luck,” “Ping Pong Toss,” and “Bounce Challenge” required minimal skill and attracted many families. One parent, Zhu, used her phone to capture her child playing with a robot dog. “The event is lively, and while I accompany my kid, they get exposed to ping pong games—it’s a meaningful family outing,” she said.
Another highlight was the unveiling of limited-edition cultural creative products. Xuperman, a trendy sports brand founded by Olympic champion Xu Xin, partnered with the Shanghai Table Tennis Carnival and “Yidao Ping Pong Xiang” to debut the “Pang Pang Xiang Jin Nang” (Auspicious Ping Pong Pouch). Co-founder Xu Chengbo explained that the pouch contains a phone stand, keychain, and protective charm, blending design with functionality. “The concept comes from Xu Xin’s understanding of table tennis, combining ping pong culture with Shanghai street style, carrying the meaning of ‘
