State Council Unveils 7-Trillion-Yuan Sports Industry Plan, Spotlight on Sports Lighting

On September 4, 2025, China’s State Council issued the guideline “Opinions on Unlocking Sports Consumption Potential and Advancing High-Quality Development of the Sports Industry” (Guo Ban Fa [2025] No. 31).

The plan sets an ambitious goal: by 2030 the nation’s sports industry will exceed 7 trillion RMB in total output value.

This landmark policy not only charts a roadmap for building a modern sports-industry system, but also places sports lighting at center stage.

As “green, low-carbon” design and smart-facility upgrades become core requirements for new and renovated venues, lighting companies specializing in stadium and arena solutions are positioned for unprecedented market opportunities.

Policy Direction: 7-Trillion Market Fuels Multiple Tailwinds for Sports Lighting

The newly released Opinions center on boosting sports consumption and strengthening industry competitiveness, outlining 6 key tasks with 20 major initiatives. Several measures directly or indirectly expand the growth potential of sports-lighting projects, summarized in three main directions:

1. Surge in Professional Venue Demand: New Builds & Renovations

The Opinions call for a multi-sport, multi-tier competition system and the cultivation of branded events, signaling a sharp rise in both new construction and renovation of professional sports venues over the next five years.

Lighting systems—core infrastructure for venue operations—must meet international-level optical standards such as illuminance uniformity and glare control, and are now included in the public-venue equipment-upgrade support scope, ensuring policy funding and safeguards that directly drive purchases of professional sports-lighting equipment.

2. Expanding Application Boundaries: From Outdoor Adventures to Community Spaces

Beyond traditional arenas, the Opinions emphasize the outdoor-sports industry and nationwide fitness facilities, creating fresh demand for sports lighting:

Outdoor Sports: Policy support for mountain, water, and aviation activities will boost needs for trail, dock, and other rugged outdoor lighting, with heightened requirements for weather resistance and energy efficiency.

Mass-Market Venues: By tapping underused urban corners to build compact community gyms and school sports fields, the plan forecasts rapid growth in community and campus lighting, emerging as a powerful new revenue stream for lighting companies.

3. Smart Transformation: Lighting Enters the Digital Era

The Opinions call for deep integration of sports consumption and digital technology, setting clear goals for intelligent upgrades: Future sports lighting must deliver remote control, energy monitoring, and scene-mode switching, evolving into a fully networked, adaptive system. Seamless links with IoT platforms and AI analytics will enable real-time adjustments and predictive maintenance, creating truly “smart sports venues.” The push to expand digital-RMB applications highlights that digitization drives the entire sports industry chain, positioning intelligent lighting as a prime beneficiary and gateway to the smart-stadium era.

Technology Roadmap: Green & Smart as Core Mandates for Sports Lighting

The Opinions position “green, low-carbon” and “intelligent transformation” as the twin pillars for venue upgrades, defining the path for sports-lighting innovation:

Green & Low-Carbon: LED as the Dominant Choice

High Efficiency & Long Life: LED fixtures cut energy use by over 50 % and reach lifespans of 50,000+ hours, sharply lowering maintenance costs.

Next-Gen Products: LEDs with ≥150 lm/W efficacy and minimal light decay will gain the greatest market traction.

Intelligent Control: From “Illumination” to “Smart Management”

Adaptive Scenes: Stadium systems can auto-switch lighting modes for football, basketball, or badminton events. Dynamic Community Use: Neighborhood gyms can integrate occupancy data to trigger “on-when-needed” lighting. Data-Driven Optimization: Real-time energy analytics support cost forecasting and operational efficiency, turning lighting into a comprehensive venue-management platform.

Lighting Companies' Playbook: Four Strategic Pillars to Capture the ¥7 Trillion Sports Market

To seize this historic growth window, lighting firms should focus on Technology, Scenarios, Standards, and Case Studies:

1. Focus on R&D: Build “Hard-Core Product Strength”

Sports lighting demands far higher optical performance and reliability than general lighting, requiring continuous investment in innovation. Improve illuminance, uniformity, and color-rendering index to meet international event standards. Develop energy-saving products such as solar-powered outdoor fixtures and intelligent control systems supporting 5G or LoRa IoT protocols to align with policy goals of “green and smart” development.

2. Expand Scene Coverage: From “Professional” to “Mass” Penetration

Lighting companies should move beyond serving only professional venues and create tailored solutions for diverse settings: Outdoor Sports Fields: Durable fixtures that withstand extreme temperatures, wind, and rain. Community Fitness Areas: Low-cost, easy-to-install compact lighting systems. Campus Courts: Energy-saving, eye-friendly luminaires for safe, comfortable play. This dual approach secures the professional market while unlocking growth in everyday recreational spaces.

3. Engage in Standard Formulation: Gain Industry “Voice”

As the sports-lighting market expands, standardization is inevitable. Companies should actively join the drafting of national and sector guidelines—such as stadium-lighting design codes and smart-system specifications. By shaping standards, they elevate brand influence and convert proprietary technologies into recognized benchmarks, securing a stronger competitive edge and greater control over market rules.

4. Build Flagship Projects: Win Trust Through Real-World Performance

Sports-lighting projects rely heavily on user experience and word of mouth. Companies should showcase flagship installations—such as lighting for major event venues (e.g., National or Provincial Games) or partnerships with renowned outdoor sports destinations. Demonstrating superior results in these high-profile projects strengthens brand credibility and provides powerful references for future market expansion.

Conclusion: Sports Lighting Faces a Policy + Market Double Boost

China's ¥7 trillion sports-industry plan not only stimulates consumption but injects fresh momentum into sports lighting. Demand now spans smart upgrades of professional arenas, outdoor recreational spaces, and community or campus facilities.

For lighting companies, the decisive factor is rapid alignment with the “green and intelligent” mandate. By centering on technological innovation, broadening application scenarios, and shaping industry standards, firms can seize this historic opportunity and position themselves as leaders in the fast-expanding sports-lighting market.