Shanghai will welcome global fans of gaming and animation this summer with the upcoming ChinaJoy 2025 — set to be held on Aug 1-4 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

As one of the most influential events in the global gaming and digital entertainment industry, ChinaJoy brings together industry professionals, gamers, and comic & anime fans from around the world every year.

This year's event will feature a "creators' zone" for the first time— offering live performances, photo ops, autograph sessions, and creative merchandise sales. The zone is designed to foster positive fan experiences and encourage emotion-driven consumption among young customers.

ChinaJoy 2025 has already attracted 743 exhibitors, including 237 international companies from 37 countries and regions such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and South Korea — with foreign exhibitors accounting for 31.8 percent of the total.

The Business-to-Business (BTOB) Hall will host more than 460 companies across 25,000 square meters, including 208 international exhibitors — underscoring ChinaJoy's growing role as a platform for international cooperation.

ChinaJoy's evolution is widely seen as a reflection of the rapid growth of Shanghai's digital entertainment industry.

In 2024, the city's online gaming sector saw a 7.8 percent increase in sales revenue, reaching 155.8 billion yuan ($21.73 billion). This marks the sector's 13th consecutive year of growth.

In the first quarter of this year, cultural software and information services — led by online gaming — recorded double-digit growth, playing a vital role in driving Shanghai's broader economic development.

Tickets for ChinaJoy will go on sale in three phases via platforms including Damai, Piaoxingqiu, Alipay's Blue Sparks, Ctrip, Bilibili and the official WeChat mini program of ChinaJoy (search "CJ魔方" on WeChat):

- Super early bird tickets: starting July 2

- Early bird tickets: starting July 4

- General tickets: starting July 8

Sources: Shanghai Observer, ChinaJoy