Paddleboard Polo Matches Come To Yangpu This Weekend

Spectators can watch paddleboard polo for free at Xinjiangwan City Culture and Sports Park in Shanghai's Yangpu District over the weekend, as teams from across China compete in a national tournament.

The Shanghai leg of the 2026 China SUP Polo Open Tournament runs from October 16 to 18. The first day is set aside for athlete registration, practice on the water and a technical meeting. Matches begin the following morning.

SUP stands for stand-up paddleboarding. In SUP polo, players balance on boards and use paddles to control, pass and hit a ball toward the opposing team's goal. The sport combines paddling skills with ball control and teamwork.

Organizers expect 25 teams and more than 200 competitors across three divisions: open, university and U15 youth. Last year's Shanghai event drew 16 teams. Three competition courts will allow several matches to take place at the same time.

For visitors planning a trip, the first group-stage matches start at 8:20am on Saturday, before the opening ceremony. The ceremony runs from 9am to 9:20am and includes flag raising, oaths by athlete and referee representatives, and a waterfront drum performance.

The tournament reaches its final stages on Sunday. The published timetable lists the finals session from 8am to 11:20am, followed by the awards ceremony at noon.

Away from the competition, a market along the park's main path will bring together more than 10 businesses. Organizers said it will feature sports displays and leisure activities, giving spectators somewhere to browse between matches.

The park hosted the Shanghai leg of the tournament for the first time in 2025. Its waterways also support paddleboarding and kayaking as part of its regular sports program.

If you go

Dates: Through October 18

Venue: Xinjiangwan City Culture and Sports Park

Address: 300 Guoxiu Road, Yangpu District 杨浦区国秀路300号

Admission: Free