With a packed, yearlong calendar of events — almost too many to count — Beijing is hoping to cement its status as China's "sports capital".

From the country's oldest marathon and professional tennis, to jaw-dropping winter sports action, the abundance and diversity of sporting events scheduled in Beijing this year, at both elite and grassroots levels, will center the world's attention on the Chinese capital, even in a year of huge sporting showpieces like the Winter Olympics and FIFA World Cup.

Released on Wednesday by the city's municipal sports bureau, Beijing's 2026 sports calendar features over 1,400 competitions and activities, including 206 high-quality events recognized in the "Dual-Olympic 100" system, an initiative launched in 2024 by the city to introduce at least 100 sporting events annually to boost the sports industry and promote mass fitness.

Fifty-seven international events stand out among the crammed schedule, including 18 being held in Beijing for the first time and 41 having already found a home in the city in the long term, drawn to Beijing by its rich Olympic legacy — particularly the world-class facilities, organizing capacity and hospitality — as the world's first city to have hosted both the Summer and Winter editions of the Games.

Following a thrilling winter, that saw the city host multiple qualifying events for Milano-Cortina 2026, spring continues to deliver the action.

In early May, the World Aquatics Diving World Cup Super Final returns to the iconic Water Cube, followed by the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup in June.

The "Golden Week" National Day holidays will again welcome the world's top tennis talent to the China Open, Asia's biggest men's and women's combined event, quickly followed by the WTT China Smash, an elite table tennis championship, set to run concurrently over two weeks from the end of September to early October.

The decades-old Beijing Marathon will invigorate the city's road running enthusiasts, set to take place in its traditional late autumn slot, before we're back on the ice with International Skating Union Speed Skating World Cup in November at Beijing 2022's "Ice Ribbon", featuring the country's newly crowned men's 1,500m Olympic champion Ning Zhongyan.

World-class swimmers will return to Beijing's Olympic pool in early December to test the waters of their LA28 preparations at the short-course world championships at the National Aquatics Center, before their winter sports counterparts crowd the city's Olympic rinks and slopes to contest the Beijing legs of the ISU Short-Track World Tour at the Capital Indoor Stadium and the FIS Freeski and Snowboarding Big Air World Cup circuit at the Shougang Industrial Park.

As China looks to accelerate the transformation of its sports industry from the traditional manufacturing-centered model to a more diverse portfolio of businesses, Beijing's efforts to leverage its dual-Olympic status to attract more events and stimulate sports consumption are leading by example.

"Our goal is to build a world-class international sporting events capital in all aspects," said Wang Ling, director of Beijing Sports Competitions Administration and International Exchange Center.

"That should be measured by not only showcasing Beijing's hosting capacity, but also by boosting the integration of sports with culture, tourism and all other business sectors.

"By hosting a vast array of international and domestic sporting events, we are expecting to create new drivers for economic growth, promote cultural attractions and get the public more involved in a healthier lifestyle."

Last year's China Open and WTT China Smash generated a combined total ticketing revenue of over 170 million yuan ($26 million), with consumption in tourism, merchandising, catering and accommodation reaching 400 million yuan, courtesy of record 500,000 spectators at the two tournaments.

More international governing bodies, with their top-tier events, are waiting in the line to join the party.

Beijing has already been confirmed as the host of the 2027 World Athletics Championships and 2029 World Aquatics Championships.

"As the world's first dual-Olympic city, Beijing has an outstanding world-class reputation with exceptional venues and event organization," Brent Nowicki, the executive director of World Aquatics, said in a video message.

"Having successfully hosted 38 World Aquatics events, Beijing is truly an aquatic sports capital. We are already looking ahead with great anticipation to 2029, when Beijing will proudly host the world championships."

ISU president Kim Jae-youl, a South Korean sports official, is also full of praise for Beijing's organizing expertise, as well as the Chinese fans' passionate support of international athletes.

"Your dedication to ensuring the conditions for high performance is commendable, and it is no coincidence that Beijing is the only city in the world to boast ISU Centers of Excellence (high-level training center) in both figure skating and speed skating," Kim said in his video message.

"All of this lays the foundations for greater future cooperation, and we are delighted to be a part of the 'Dual Olympic 100' event system.

"Beijing and China play such a key role in skating, and, when our events are with you, the attention on them comes from all across the country through our channels that are focused on communication to Chinese audiences, and all over the world."