The Zhejiang Provincial Urban Basketball League (referred to as "ZheBA") has become the hottest grassroots sports spectacle in Zhejiang, running from this summer to early next spring. As the largest and highest-level amateur basketball event in the province, it has drawn participation from all 11 prefecture-level cities and 90 counties (districts), hosting nearly 350 matches with over 1.18 million live spectators and driving comprehensive consumption of 2.2 billion yuan.

Leveraging the popularity of "ZheBA," local governments have rolled out targeted promotions. For local audiences, incentives like cultural-tourism vouchers, intangible heritage experience coupons, and sports consumption vouchers guide post-game spending. For out-of-town visitors, "cultural-tourism gift bags" featuring local snacks, scenic spot brochures, event merchandise, and exclusive discounts aim to leave them with lasting memories of Zhejiang and encourage return visits.

The event has spurred diverse economic activities. For instance, Taizhou issued over 400,000 yuan in cultural-tourism vouchers and organized 100+ activities, boosting sports training and equipment sales. Zhuji, known as the "Basketball Hometown," offered free entry to Xishi’s Hometown and other attractions with game tickets. Wenzhou allowed free "ZheBA" ticket exchanges for travelers arriving by plane within seven days.

The surge in demand has benefited local businesses. Lanxi Hangqiu Outdoor Products Co. saw orders quadruple, though rapid growth also brought cash flow challenges. Thanks to streamlined loan approvals from Lanxi Rural Commercial Bank, the company secured 3 million yuan in financing within a day to ramp up production. The bank has extended 200 million yuan in credit to nearly 30 sports-related SMEs under its "finance + sports" initiative.

Beyond "ZheBA," other events are fueling regional growth. The 19th China Qiandao Lake Road Cycling Race attracted 8,850 amateur cyclists, setting a national record. Meanwhile, the 2025 National Amateur Chess King Finals in Xiadian Village boosted off-season tourism, with homestays fully booked.

Chun'an County has capitalized on its natural advantages, expanding annual sports events from 40 to 55, enhancing scale and economic impact. In Linhai, events like the Chagutangs Trail Run and Yuxi Triathlon have elevated the city’s profile, creating a 13.9-billion-yuan sports industry chain supporting 160,000 jobs.

In Hangzhou’s Liangzhu, the 2025 National Touch Rugby Championship drew 900 athletes, driving a 300% spike in hotel searches and 1.49 million yuan in local spending. The event was paired with cultural experiences along a "Common Prosperity Trail," linking sports with rural tourism, crafts, and cuisine to create a multifaceted consumption loop.

"Event economies thrive on converting short-term spectatorship into sustained spending," noted Liangzhu official Shen Yibin, highlighting how integrated "event + destination" strategies maximize economic spillover effects.