World Gymnastics Signed Eight-Year Li-Ning Partnership
The governing body has named the Chinese retailer as its official global apparel and footwear supplier through 2033.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Gymnastics
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World Gymnastics has finalized an eight-year global partnership agreement with the sportswear brand Li-Ning. The deal, which began in October 2026, integrates the manufacturer across all eight gymnastics disciplines governed by the international body.
Why it matters
This partnership provides World Gymnastics with deep access to China, one of its largest and most influential markets. It mirrors the sport organization's push for expanded commercial reach across Asia.
Li-Ning currently operates more than 7,600 physical retail locations across China and Asia. The brand maintained a 1.7% market share in the Chinese retail landscape during 2025.
The players
World Gymnastics
This is the international governing body responsible for the administration and development of eight gymnastics disciplines worldwide.
Li-Ning
This is a major Chinese sportswear manufacturer that operates over 7,600 retail locations and previously established a partnership with World Table Tennis.
The details
Li-Ning will supply professional apparel and footwear to athletes participating in all eight disciplines under the World Gymnastics umbrella. The brand branding will be prominently featured at global events, including the upcoming World Championships.
Timeline
Li-Ning became a World Table Tennis sponsor in 2018.
The brand maintained its Chinese market share throughout 2024 and 2025.
The global partnership was officially announced on October 5, 2026.
Artistic Gymnastics World Championships are set for October 17-25, 2026, in Rotterdam.
The contract is scheduled to conclude in 2033.
Season Trajectory
This deal secures a long-term supply chain for the sport as World Gymnastics prepares for its 2027 World Championships in Chengdu. It stabilizes the apparel landscape for athletes competing across the organization's eight sanctioned disciplines.
Fans will see new Li-Ning branding and athlete gear starting at the 2026 World Championships in Rotterdam. The shift also signals a potential expansion of the brand's physical retail presence into the United States market.
The takeaway
This long-term agreement marks a significant transition for World Gymnastics as it aligns with a major Asian retailer to capture growing market interest. Athletes and fans should anticipate a unified aesthetic presence across all international competition stages through the next decade.
What happens next
The partnership will be visible during the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Rotterdam, occurring from October 17 to October 25, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Gymnastics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportcal.
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