The North Bund played host to a high-energy international spectacle as the 2025 HADO World Cup and the Bodong Virtual Sports Carnival officially opened at the International Passenger Center.
The event brought together elite HADO teams from 18 countries and regions, delivering three days of virtual reality sports, cultural festivities, and cross-industry collaboration.
The launch ceremony was attended by senior city and district officials, including Xu Bin, director of the Shanghai Sports Bureau, and Lu Ming, director of Hongkou District.
Also present were HADO founder Fukuda Hiroshi, Zhao Ziyi, deputy director of Hongkou, Zhou Jin, vice president of Donghao Lansheng Group, Li Junlong, chairman of Bright Dairy Group, Li Yi, chairman of Five Star Sports Media, and Lin Xianjian, general manager of Future HADO Sports Technology Co.
At the opening, Fukuda reflected on the evolution of HADO since its inception and expressed his confidence in Shanghai’s emerging role as a global hub for virtual and tech-driven sports.
Following a thrilling exhibition match between China and Turkey, athletes from all participating nations made their ceremonial entrance, energizing the crowd and setting the tone for a dynamic two-day tournament.
Competitors were presented with special cultural and tourism gift packages featuring local Hongkou branding, part of an effort to link sports with tourism, retail, and cultural engagement—maximizing the event’s economic and social ripple effects.
HADO, developed by Japan’s meleap Inc., is an augmented reality (AR) sport that combines physical motion with digital interaction.
Players wear AR goggles and wrist sensors to launch virtual energy balls in a real-world arena. Since its debut, HADO has gained global attention for blending technology, fitness, and gaming.
The 2025 World Cup is the fourth edition of the tournament, following three successful international competitions since 2017.
This year’s event brought together top teams from across Asia, Europe, and the Americas to compete for the world title.
For the duration of the event, the North Bund was transformed into a playground for AR sports and immersive entertainment.
The Virtual Sports Carnival featured an open exhibition area where the public could try out HADO gameplay firsthand, offering residents and tourists an early taste of this fast-growing AR sport.
Complementing the tournament were several cultural and lifestyle attractions. A trend-forward marketplace showcased cutting-edge tech products and interactive art installations, while a global food zone introduced flavors from around the world.
These offerings created a one-stop destination for AR enthusiasts, casual visitors, and lifestyle explorers.
The carnival also highlighted the local presence of HADO in Shanghai. In 2023, Future HADO Sports Technology Co.—a Chinese subsidiary of meleap—chose Hongkou as its headquarters.
Since then, it has expanded across the city through permanent stores, pop-up venues, livestream events, and team-building activities aimed at growing the player base.
In 2024, the company launched its flagship facility, HADO ARENA, in the North Bund’s Landmark Center.
Spanning more than 2,000 square meters, the venue serves as a global training, competition, and entertainment hub for AR sports, featuring state-of-the-art technology for both players and spectators.
The tournament and surrounding carnival formed a major component of the Shanghai Sports Consumption Festival and the 2025 “Double Five Shopping Festival” activities in Hongkou.
As a key project within the city’s initiative to integrate culture, tourism, business, sports, and exhibitions, the event offered a comprehensive glimpse into the potential of virtual sports to reshape urban entertainment and global youth culture.
With its mix of international competition, public engagement, and tech-powered spectacle, the 2025 HADO World Cup and Virtual Sports Carnival not only showcased the future of athletics but also reinforced North Bund’s position as a magnet for global innovation and cross-cultural exchange.