The German Cup match featuring Fan Zhendong, a Chinese table tennis star playing for Germany’s Borussia Düsseldorf, attracted over 1.1 million CNY (roughly $163,685) in ticket sales during a livestream across multiple theaters in China.
Attendance at more than 80 cinemas that streamed the match on August 29 averaged nearly 80%, according to data from Dengta Professional Edition. This significant box office success highlights the powerful appeal of a single athlete in China and reflects changing cinema business strategies and sports consumption trends among viewers.
This event marked the first time a German Cup table tennis match was broadcast in Chinese cinemas. The broadcast was authorized by a sports platform, with Huaxia Film Distribution handling the logistics. Audience enthusiasm surpassed initial expectations.
Upcoming broadcasts will feature Fan Zhendong competing in Bundesliga matches, one of Europe’s most competitive professional table tennis leagues, scheduled for September 5. Several theaters slated for the livestream are nearly sold out, showing strong interest.
Fan Zhendong joined Saarbrücken in June of last year, bringing his talent to the Bundesliga. According to Zhang Zheng, general manager of the sports platform, the company was optimistic about the project and secured rights to broadcast the league and the German Cup for the 2025-26 season two months later.
Building a successful cinema broadcast model depends on widespread public awareness, as only a few sports properties in China have the power to draw large audiences. Major events like the National Basketball League (NBL), the Olympics, and the FIFA World Cup tend to attract viewers mainly during semifinals and finals, Zhang explained.
Fan Zhendong’s popularity in China grants him considerable drawing power, and the Bundesliga is one of the events that consistently attracts viewers’ interest. For the 2026-27 season, the platform secured exclusive rights to the league, maintaining reasonable licensing fees, Zhang added.
The sports platform’s approach to German table tennis emphasizes responding to fan demand. In June, the platform established an exclusive partnership with Borussia Düsseldorf to launch overseas viewing tours, collaborating with travel companies. This initiative aims to create a comprehensive experience—from online viewing and merchandise sales to international travel for matches—shaping a full ecosystem of fan engagement.