Extreme Sports Festival FISE Promises Shanghai Return Next Year

The 2025 FISE International Festival of Extreme Sports concluded on the West Bund over the weekend, attracting over 700 athletes from 34 countries and regions, as well as 80,000 spectators during four days of action.

Six major competition categories and 13 events (including two UCI World Cup events) ultimately produced 30-plus champions, allowing Shanghai sports enthusiasts to experience the vitality and passion of world-class extreme sports up close.

As the world's biggest urban sports festival, FISE also promised to make a return to the city next year.

This year's FISE Shanghai featured a 70,000-square-meter venue on the West Bund, downtown Xuhui District. Apart from professional competition facilities praised by athletes, the space also included trendy market, pet zone, dining and leisure areas.

Inside the iconic West Bund Dome, the Spine Ramp night competition – a signature event from FISE Montpellier, France – made its Shanghai debut. Freestyle BMX, extreme scooter, skating, and skateboarding athletes showcased high-difficulty moves in a concentrated display, with an atmosphere nothing short of what you'd find in Europe or America.

In fact, when it comes to urban sports, Shanghai's West Bund has a solid foundation built over the years, with activities like cycling, skateboarding, and rollerskating commonly seen across its riverside areas.

"At the very beginning of our planning, we had reserved the prime waterfront zones along the West Bund for our citizens and for urban sports and cultural activities," said Chen Anda, vice general manager of Shanghai West Bund Development (Group) Co.

"With the increasing maturity of the surrounding commercial facilities, we continue to explore the underlying logic of synergies between sports, culture, commerce, and other industries, aiming to foster win-win partnerships for businesses and sports, cultural events," he added.

Data from the inaugural FISE Shanghai in 2024 showed that the event generated a direct economic impact of 180 million yuan (US$25.27 million). It was awarded the "Developing Events" rating – the third tier of the "Shanghai Sports Events" branding system – which represents city sports authorities' recognition of the event's development potential.

Chen also unveiled that in the future, sports will become a key element in the planning and development of the southern stretch of the West Bund.