Tsinghua University and ANTA Group Launch the 3rd Global Sportswear Design Award

3rd Global Sportswear Design Award Launches in Hangzhou

On June 14, 2025, the China National Silk Museum in Hangzhou became the backdrop for the inauguration of the 3rd Global Sportswear Design Award. This prestigious event was jointly organized by ANTA Group and Tsinghua University, aiming to unite global innovation within the sportswear design industry. The theme for this year’s competition, “MovEmpower: Movement Without Limits,” reflects a commitment to breaking boundaries in sports apparel design.

Key figures such as Lai Shixian, Chief Executive and Co-Chairman of ANTA Group, and Lu Xiaobo, Director of the Tsinghua University Art Museum, were present at the launch. During the ceremony, they presented the report titled "Trends in Innovation for the Sports Fashion Industry," which provides strategic guidance for technology transformation in the global sportswear market.

A Collaborative Approach to Innovation

ANTA Group and Tsinghua University embody a model of cooperation between the industry, academia, and research that has greatly influenced China's sportswear sector. Their collaboration fosters an environment ripe for idea incubation, talent discovery, and industrial transformation. Lai Shixian highlighted that innovation is at the core of ANTA’s business strategy, expressing their goal of transitioning from a "Made in China" model to a "Created in China" paradigm. He emphasized ANTA's commitment to elevating the global presence of Chinese brands.

Lu Xiaobo underlined the vital role of innovative design as a catalyst for sports culture and a key element in enhancing national cultural power. The success of the previous two editions of the competition attracted over 4,000 proposals from more than 270 universities across 30 countries, establishing it as one of the most significant incubators in global sportswear design.

Expanding the Scope of the Award

The 2025 edition of the award has expanded its scope and scale, introducing diverse categories across four key domains: technology, culture, nature, and AI-generated content (AIGC). The competition will feature seven university presentations worldwide, welcoming participation from students, independent designers, and design enthusiasts from over 25 countries and regions. Organizers anticipate receiving more than 2,500 submissions, with total prizes amounting to several million RMB.

A global panel comprising over 100 experts from academia and the industry will judge the entries. The award aims to unify innovation resources and contribute to the sustainable development of the sportswear industry through a robust mechanism of call for entries, expert reviews, and industrial transformation.

Fostering Global Talent in Design

ANTA Group’s talent development model, showcased through this competition, is already yielding positive outcomes. Several top finalists from previous editions have joined ANTA’s multi-brand design teams, contributing to the company's ambition to build an international platform that empowers young designers and accelerates innovation in sportswear design.

Looking ahead, ANTA is committed to the principle that "Innovation Drives the Future," leveraging its global open innovation ecosystem and integrated ties between academia and industry to infuse technological vitality and aesthetic inspiration into the sector. The competition will run from June 2025 to March 2026, featuring global tour presentations and submission phases.

For more information about the award, visit the official website at ANTA Design or follow the Tsinghua University–ANTA Joint Research Center for Sports Fashion on WeChat.