Navigating the Digital Transformation of Sports Industry in China Based on Experience of Sports and Competition Events in Developed Countries

Digital transformation is increasingly seen as a dynamic and enduring trend, offering unprecedented opportunities for growth and vitality within the sports industry. It brings new dimensions to engaging fans, sponsors, sports organizers, and enterprises by enhancing experiences in a participative sports paradigm. This research explores how digital transformation can revolutionize the sports sector, focusing on successful cases from developed countries such as Australia and Japan. These examples shed light on how digital tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are leveraged to enhance fan engagement, operational efficiency, and new revenue streams. By drawing insights from these global leaders, this study aims to identify both the opportunities and challenges faced by China’s sports market, which currently stands at a critical juncture of digital reform and policy modernization. The goal is to unlock the potential of China’s sports market, invigorate its landscape, and introduce greater flexibility in governance through digital transformation. The research objectives are twofold: firstly, to review successful cases of digital transformation in developed countries and the current challenges China faces in adopting these digital innovations, and secondly, to optimize and stimulate market vitality, fostering new paradigms within China’s sports industry. This study aims to offer actionable insights and strategies to drive China’s sports industry toward a more dynamic and sustainable future.