The 12th World Grand Wushu Festival Shanghai will take place from Sept 18 to 23 in Shanghai, as announced at a news conference on Aug 20.

Established in 1992, the festival introduces significant updates this year. The main venue will be the Hongkou Jingwu Stadium, with additional events held at seven locations across Shanghai districts including Huangpu, Changning, Yangpu, and Songjiang. The competition will feature categories such as competitive wushu, traditional wushu, duilian (choreographed sparring), and group events, showcasing the full spectrum of wushu disciplines.

For the first time, the festival is recognized as a C-level event by the International Wushu Federation, offering global participants a qualification and rank certification. So far, over 4,200 enthusiasts from 30 countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, have registered. Participants aged 6 to 80 are expected to exceed 5,000, setting a new participation record.

In addition to the competitions, Hongkou's North Bund will host cultural showcases, featuring rare martial arts styles and local Shanghai traditions. Champions from this year's event will also perform. A wushu-themed market will be set up around the main stage, offering dining, cultural creations, and interactive experiences, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in Chinese martial arts culture.

Spectator reservations:

Tickets can be reserved through the official WeChat accounts of the World Grand Wushu Festival Shanghai (Search for "SH-WUSHU") or the Shanghai Wushu Institute (Search for "shanghaiwushu2019"). Reservations for both the main venue and the seven additional locations will open on Sept 10 at 10 am.

Sources: Shanghai Observer, World Grand Wushu Festival Shanghai