IWF New Activewear & Equipment Zone Debuts
March 12–14, 2027 | Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center
The 14th IWF Shanghai International Fitness Expo & CIST International Sporting Goods Show will be held from March 12–14, 2027 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center. The total exhibition area is expected to reach 85,000 sqm, bringing together over 1,000 renowned domestic and international sports & fitness brands and manufacturers, and attracting 65,000+ professional visitors from 110+ countries and regions worldwide for procurement and sourcing.
To further expand the industry ecosystem, the IWF & CIST organizing committee will launch a brand-new Activewear & Equipment Zone at this edition, covering professional fitness apparel, outdoor performance footwear & apparel, and smart wearable devices. The zone will be complemented by vertical forums, summits, and dedicated business-matching events, creating a one stop industry cooperation platform that integrates trade sourcing, procurement agency, export, brand exposure, and trend intelligence for exhibitors, buyers, and industry professionals from around the globe.
Seizing the High Growth Track.
China’s sportswear market continues its steady expansion. According to iiMedia Research, the market size reached RMB 590 billion in 2025 and is projected to hit RMB 890 billion by 2030. Segments such as smart activewear and outdoor performance gear are growing well above the industry average, becoming key growth drivers in the fitness and wellness industry.
With the deepening of the national fitness strategy and ongoing consumption upgrades, activewear is no longer confined to gym settings—it is rapidly penetrating daily commuting, outdoor leisure, health & wellness, and other scenarios. Demand for functional, tech enhanced, and scenario specific products continues to rise.
Leveraging 14 years of fitness industry expertise, the IWF & CIST committee has strategically added the Activewear & Equipment Zone to bridge the fitness and apparel sectors and build a full industry chain trade platform. The new zone will integrate with existing sections—fitness equipment, smart fitness, and accessories—to form a complete sourcing loop of “hardware + apparel & gear + tech services.” This offers professional buyers a one stop, cross category procurement experience, while giving apparel brands a precise entry point into the fitness vertical channel.
Three Core Product Categories – Covering All Scenario Apparel & Gear Needs
The new Activewear & Equipment Zone is designed around the apparel and wearables needs of fitness and wellness scenarios, featuring three dedicated display clusters to precisely match the sourcing requirements of diverse buyers:
Professional Fitness & Training Apparel
– Fitness training wear, yoga & Pilates apparel, functional sports bras, competition ready gear, and customized group class uniforms.
– Serves multiple procurement channels: professional gyms, studios, distributors, and government/enterprise bulk purchases.
– Brings together both established international brands and original supply chain manufacturers.
Outdoor Performance Footwear & Apparel
– Capitalizing on the “fitness + outdoor” convergence, featuring urban performance wear, professional outdoor footwear, lightweight outdoor equipment, and sun protective & quick dry collections.
– Connects with outdoor clubs, sports retail chains, cross border e commerce, and other diverse buyers.
Smart Wearable Devices
– Focuses on fitness trackers, smart sensing garments, wearable therapy devices, and sports data terminals.
– Integrated with the show’s AI Smart Fitness Zone to build a sports tech ecosystem, presenting end to end solutions from data monitoring to training execution.
Leveraging Shanghai’s status as an international trade hub and China’s advanced textile & apparel supply chain, the zone serves both the domestic distribution/agency market and the international export market. With buyer resources from 110+ countries and regions, it helps brands expand into lower tier domestic channels as well as global markets.
Concurrent Events – Adding Trade & Trend Value
To enhance the zone’s industry depth and business efficiency, the show will host multiple vertical professional events alongside the exhibition, creating a full service system of “product display + trend insight + targeted matching.” These events provide industry professionals with forward looking trend references and support brands in efficiently expanding into overseas markets.
Meanwhile, the organizing committee will continue its VIP Buyer Service Program, offering overseas large scale distributors, chain fitness brands, and cross border sourcing groups one on one business matching, exclusive negotiation areas, and travel subsidies for procurement missions—ensuring precise alignment between supply and demand and boosting trade efficiency.
14 Years of Excellence – Asia Pacific’s Benchmark Fitness Industry Platform
As one of the most influential sports & fitness industry events in the Asia Pacific region, IWF 2027 continues to grow and upgrade. With the addition of the Activewear & Equipment Zone, IWF further completes its industry ecosystem, reinforcing its position as the bellwether of the fitness sector. Leveraging Shanghai’s global city advantages, the show remains a premier platform for collaboration across the entire fitness value chain.
Exhibitor Registration Now Open
Exhibitor recruitment for IWF 2027 Shanghai International Fitness Expo is now fully underway, and booth reservations for the Activewear & Equipment Zone are being accepted from companies worldwide. The organizing committee sincerely invites brands and supply chain enterprises in sports & fitness apparel, outdoor performance gear, and smart wearables to join us—share industry resources and unlock new trade opportunities.
For inquiries and bookings, please contact the IWF & CIST Organizing Committee.