Shanghai

Fairmont Peace Hotel

Shanghai's most iconic hotel, an Art Deco masterpiece on the Bund since 1929, with its famous Jazz Bar featuring the Old Jazz Band. Its Bund-front location and storied history make it the definitive Shanghai stay for fans wanting to experience the city's glamorous heritage.

The Peninsula Shanghai

On the northern end of the Bund, The Peninsula Shanghai offers unobstructed views of both the historic waterfront and Pudong skyline from its art deco-inspired rooms. The rooftop bar Sir Elly's is legendary, and fans appreciate the central location with easy access to Shanghai's sporting venues.

The PuLi Hotel and Spa

Minimalist urban resort overlooking Jing'an Park, blending Chinese aesthetics with contemporary luxury and a serene spa. International sports fans visiting for the Shanghai Masters or F1 Grand Prix enjoy its tranquil atmosphere after high-energy events.

The Shanghai EDITION

Ian Schrager's design-forward luxury hotel on the Bund with a rooftop bar and buzzy lobby scene. The coolest stay in Shanghai for nightlife-loving fans visiting for Formula 1 or international football matches.

Where to Eat in Shanghai

Din Tai Fung Xintiandi

In the trendy Xintiandi entertainment district, Din Tai Fung serves its world-famous xiaolongbao soup dumplings with meticulous precision. Each dumpling contains exactly 18 folds and a burst of rich broth. Fans love the convenient location for a quick, excellent meal before heading to Shanghai Stadium.

Jia Jia Tang Bao

Tiny, no-frills dumpling shop near People's Square that consistently tops Shanghai's best xiao long bao lists. The delicate pork and crab soup dumplings draw enormous queues from food-obsessed fans and locals alike. Arrive early or prepare to wait.

Lost Heaven on the Bund

An atmospheric Yunnan folk cuisine restaurant on the Bund with tribal-inspired decor and aromatic dishes from southwest China. Fans visiting for Shanghai Masters tennis or F1 pair Bund views with exotic flavors found nowhere else in the city.

The Cannery

A beloved expat and sports fan institution in the Former French Concession, The Cannery serves American craft beers on tap and a menu that includes excellent burgers and chicken wings. Multiple screens broadcast international sports 24 hours a day, making it the go-to spot for watching NBA games, Premier League football, and NFL games at odd Shanghai hours. The knowledgeable, sports-loving staff and lively crowd make every game feel like a watch party.

Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet

Three-Michelin-star multisensory dining experience seating just ten guests per night in a secret location. Chef Paul Pairet pairs each course with synchronized projections, sounds, and scents. The ultimate splurge for fans celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime Shanghai sports trip.

Yang's Fried Dumplings

Shanghai's most beloved street food, sheng jian bao (pan-fried soup dumplings) are done to perfection at Yang's. The crispy bottoms, juicy pork filling, and scalding soup burst make them addictive. Multiple locations across the city mean fans can grab four for a few yuan anywhere before events.

Best Bars in Shanghai

Boxing Cat Brewery

Shanghai's pioneering craft brewery has a massive sports screen setup and draws a cosmopolitan mix of Chinese football fans and expatriate sports lovers for Premier League, NBA, and Chinese Super League games. The TKO IPA is the unofficial drink of Shanghai's football watching community. Pre-match brewing tours on Saturday mornings are a novel fan activity.

El Cóctel

Hidden speakeasy in the French Concession serving expertly crafted cocktails in a dimly lit, intimate setting. Shanghai SIPG football fans and F1 visitors retreat here for after-hours drinks in one of Shanghai's best-kept secrets.

Speak Low

Multi-level speakeasy hidden behind a sliding bookcase in a Fuxing Road cocktail supply shop. Each floor offers a different vibe, from casual to ultra-exclusive. A favourite late-night haunt for F1 fans during the Shanghai Grand Prix weekend.

The Long Bar at Waldorf Astoria Shanghai

Recreating the legendary Shanghai Club's 110-foot Long Bar from 1910, this art deco gem in the Waldorf Astoria on the Bund is pure old-world Shanghai glamour. Classic cocktails are served beneath soaring ceilings with views of Pudong's skyline. A sophisticated post-event destination for discerning fans.

The Nest

A stylish rooftop bar atop a heritage Bund building with sweeping Pudong skyline views and craft cocktails. Sports and concert fans toast the Shanghai skyline here, catching some of the most photogenic nighttime panoramas in Asia.

Fan Attractions in Shanghai

Hongkou Football Stadium

Home of Shanghai Shenhua, one of China's oldest and most storied football clubs, Hongkou Stadium has a distinctly urban character and passionate local support. The Derby d'Shanghai against Shanghai Port is one of Asia's fiercest local rivalries. The stadium's location in the Hongkou district near the former Jewish Refugee District adds historical depth to the visit.

Jiangwan Stadium (Historic)

One of Asia's most beautiful examples of Art Deco sports architecture, the 1935 Jiangwan Stadium complex was built to bid for the 1940 Olympics. The stadium, gymnasium, and swimming pool are now heritage sites that sports architecture enthusiasts visit as a pilgrimage. The complex represents Shanghai's golden era of sporting ambition.

Jiangwan Stadium Heritage Site

The 1930s art deco Jiangwan Stadium in Yangpu District is a stunning piece of pre-war Chinese sporting architecture, now protected as a municipal heritage site. Originally built as the centrepiece of a planned Republican-era civic complex, it hosted major sporting events in the 1930s. Walking tours of the listed grounds reveal fascinating stories of Shanghai's sporting past and Chinese nationalism through sport.

Jing'an Kerry Centre Sports Fan Zone

The Jing'an Kerry Centre hosts Shanghai's densest concentration of officially licensed NBA, Nike, and Adidas flagship stores — making it the first destination for sports fans seeking authentic gear in China's most fashion-forward city. On CBA match days and NBA China Games weekends, the plaza outside fills with fans in full team kit taking photos and trading predictions. The nearby rooftop bar has a view of Puxi's glittering skyline that's perfect for a celebratory post-game toast.

Mercedes-Benz Arena

The Mercedes-Benz Arena on the Pudong waterfront is Shanghai's premier indoor sports and entertainment venue, hosting NBA China Games, world boxing championships, and major e-sports events. The 18,000-seat arena's position in the Expo district with Huangpu River views makes game-day arrivals visually spectacular. The arena's fan zone infrastructure rivals any major Western sports venue.

Mercedes-Benz Arena Shanghai

Shanghai's premier indoor arena with an 18,000-seat capacity, the Mercedes-Benz Arena hosts NBA China Games, major hockey exhibitions, and world-touring concerts by global superstars. The striking UFO-shaped building on the Huangpu River waterfront is an architectural landmark that has become synonymous with Shanghai's world-class entertainment scene. For international sports fans visiting the city, checking the events calendar here is essential.

Pudong Basketball Center (NBA China Games Venue)

The Pudong Arena in Shanghai has hosted multiple NBA China exhibition games, drawing 18,000 fanatical Chinese basketball fans who greet NBA stars with pop-concert intensity. The venue is home to the Shanghai Sharks of the CBA, where Yao Ming once began his legendary career. Attending a CBA game here connects visiting fans to China's NBA-influenced basketball boom.

Qi Zhong Tennis Center

Home of the Shanghai Rolex Masters, one of the ATP's most prestigious tournaments drawing Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, and Alcaraz to China annually. The stadium court's magnolia flower-petal roof is one of sport's most distinctive architectural statements. The fan village during tournament week is a major Shanghai social event attracting corporate and casual fans alike.

Things to Do

Shanghai International Circuit

The Shanghai International Circuit in Jiading hosts the Chinese Grand Prix and is one of F1's most architecturally dramatic circuits, designed by Hermann Tilke in the shape of the Chinese character shang. Fan experiences on non-race days include driving on the circuit in performance cars and guided tours of the paddock and pit lane. Race weekend transforms the circuit into a fan village of 200,000.

Shanghai Stadium Tour

The 56,000-seat Shanghai Stadium, shaped like a saddle with its distinctive white canopy roof, hosts major football matches, concerts, and athletic events. Located in the Xuhui district, it served as a venue for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup and regularly welcomes international club friendlies and Chinese Super League action.

Things to Do

The Bund Evening Walk

Shanghai's legendary waterfront promenade with views of Pudong's futuristic skyline is where sports fans take iconic photos during Formula 1 and tennis season.