China’s manufacturing hub Yiwu, is strengthening its position in the global World Cup economy by moving beyond mass production to innovation, branding, and intellectual property development.

According to Yiwu customs, exports of sporting goods and equipment reached 2.83 billion yuan ($417.85 million) in the first quarter of 2026, with World Cup-related products contributing significantly to the growth.

Local businesses are increasingly focusing on patented designs, licensed merchandise, and specialized products to enhance competitiveness and create greater value. Many merchants have shifted from competing on price to building brands and protecting original designs through intellectual property rights.

Supported by a complete industrial supply chain, Yiwu can rapidly transform product ideas into market-ready goods, enabling it to meet the large and time-sensitive demands of major sporting events.

Beyond fan merchandise, Chinese-made products and services, including electric buses and transportation infrastructure, are playing an expanding role in supporting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The trend reflects the broader transformation of Chinese manufacturing from a global supplier to an innovator and value creator in the international marketplace.

Source: People’s Daily