Xi'an hosted several major international sports events in 2025, marking a new stage in the city's development as a renowned sports hub.

In June, Xi'an hosted both the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup Super Final 2025 and the FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League. This was the city's first time hosting these two international events, and they received widespread acclaim.

Chinese athletes participate in the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup Super Final 2025. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

To allow athletes from around the world to experience the city's unique charm, the opening ceremony's cultural and artistic performances were infused with distinctive Xi'an elements. A cultural fair showcasing the city's traditional skills, such as dough figurines and shadow puppetry, was set up at the athletes' village to provide a window into traditional Chinese culture.

The newly commissioned Xi'an International Football Center made its debut in September, becoming a new landmark in the city's sports development. As the home stadium for the Chinese national team in Group D of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, the venue hosted three matches, with a total of nearly 90,000 fans in attendance.

An AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier match at Xi'an International Football Center. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

The 2025 World Snooker Xi'an Grand Prix took place during the National Day holiday in October, gathering top players such as Ronnie O'Sullivan, Ding Junhui, and Zhao Xintong for a series of thrilling matches.

The 2025 Xi'an Marathon was held on Oct 19, with both registrations and participants hitting record highs: 286,537 registrations and 38,000 runners.

The Xi'an Marathon attracts 38,000 participants. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

The Xi'an Marathon course connected the city's development from the Qin (221-206 BC), Han (206 BC-AD 220), and Tang (618-907) dynasties to the modern era, with city landmarks, including the Xi'an City Wall, the Bell Tower, and the Daming Palace National Heritage Park, enabling participants to run through ancient and modern times.

Sports events are more than just stages for competition; they serve as a window to showcase a city's image, a bridge for cultural exchange, and an engine for economic development. Xi'an is making sports events an important platform to connect people with the city and energize urban vitality, thereby spotlighting the city's brand as a "World Capital of Humanities".