SHENZHEN is set to host approximately 200 major sports events at municipal or district level this year. On Feb. 27, Shenzhen Peng City F.C., a Chinese professional football club previously known as Sichuan Jiuniu F.C., released its new brand logo, new season lineup, and ticketing plans, declaring the team’s entry into the 2024 season in the Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL). On March 10 at 8 p.m., Shenzhen Peng City F.C. will host its inaugural home game in the second round of the CSL, facing off Tianjin Jinmen Tiger F.C. at the Bao’an Sports Center. Other sports events in Shenzhen this year include the Chinese National Swimming Championships, the Li-Ning China Masters, and the Volvo China Open. The Chinese National Swimming Championships will be the first high-level event in Shenzhen for the Year of the Dragon. Set to take place in April at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Center, this competition stands as the pinnacle event in domestic swimming, also serving as a vital platform for selecting athletes for the 2024 Paris Olympics roster. In May, Shenzhen will host the Volvo China Open. Recognized as the longest-running and most prestigious international professional golf event on the Chinese mainland, it has received joint certification from the DP World Tour and the China Tour. This provides Chinese male golfers with the chance to vie for qualification spots for the Paris Olympics. The Li-Ning China Masters will take place in Shenzhen in November. It stands as one of the highest-level single-discipline international events hosted by the city. Results from the competition contribute to the Badminton World Federation ranking points. During this event, top badminton players from around the world will convene in Shenzhen for thrilling showdowns at the pinnacle of their game. Shenzhen is a city of running, hosting numerous running events and activities every year. This year, the city will emphasize organizing road races, cross-country runs, and hiking events around the themes of “mountains and seas connecting the city” and “three trails and three routes.” Shenzhen Marathon 2024 will be held in December. What’s more, the event has again been awarded the road race gold label by World Athletics. In January, Shenzhen completed the initial phase of the “three trails and three routes” hiking trail system, with a total length of approximately 420 kilometers. The “three trails” refer to the Kunpeng Trail, Fenghuang Trail, and Cuiwei Trail, while the “three routes” include the Round-the-Yangtai-Mountain Route, Round the Maluan-Mountain Route, and Sanshui Route. Residents can experience the joy of hiking in the mountains and wandering in the countryside across Shenzhen. Notably, the approximately 200-kilometer-long Kunpeng Trail has attracted significant attention from residents. The 16th China Cup International Regatta will take place in November, solidifying its position as the premier domestic water sports event. The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) Shenzhen ? Bao’an Final will be held for the second consecutive year. The third edition of the Shenzhen X9 Alliance of Universities and Institutes Rowing League around X-Lake Sciensity will also be held. Additionally, a series of distinctive sailing events including the Shenzhen Race Week, the China Youth Regatta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Regatta will be held sequentially, offering a comprehensive and dynamic showcase of Shenzhen’s maritime allure. (Chen Xiaochun) | 