On June 7, the 2025 Shanghai Amateur Games Rugby Series & "Shanghai Cup" International Rugby Invitational Tournament wrapped up at Jiangwan Stadium.

This year's "Shanghai Cup" Rugby Invitational Tournament, a top-tier event run by the Shanghai Rugby Football Association (SRFA), builds on over a decade of rugby heritage. Hosted for the second time at Yangpu's Jiangwan Stadium, the event's reach and impact keep growing.

This year's tournament featured rugby players from around the world, including the UK, France, the U.S., New Zealand, Germany, Australia, Scotland, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, Fiji, South Africa, and Japan, along with top Chinese teams from Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Fujian. The historic number of teams shows the ever-growing international appeal of the event.

This top-tier platform does more than just connect foreign rugby fans and Chinese players through sport - it boosts global sports and cultural exchanges. Thanks to its professional organization, global reach, and vibrant rugby culture, the "Shanghai Cup" now ranks as Asia's premier amateur rugby event, boasting the largest scale, highest level of competition, and richest cultural depth.

The tournament creatively blended culture, tourism, commerce, sports, and exhibitions, turning sports event traffic into a new engine for urban consumption. Nearly 500 foreign players and their families stayed in Shanghai during the event, boosting local consumption. The occupancy rates of nearby luxury hotels surged both before and after the event, while the revenues of local specialty restaurants saw notable year-on-year growth. In the evenings after the event, players flocked to local bar districts, sparking a night-time spending spree. The event directly spurred over 1.5 million yuan in combined spending on accommodation, dining, transport, tourism, shopping, and entertainment, highlighting how sports can power the urban economy.

The event featured a supply zone brimming with international flair that became a dazzling highlight. Stalls offering mouth-watering pizzas, sizzling American hot dogs, flavorful barbecues, and cold beers drew large crowds. Players munched on snacks to recharge, chatted about the tournament, and frequently burst into cheers like "This is awesome!" and "This is true rugby culture!"

Ding Ye, Vice President and Secretary-General of SRFA, noted in an interview, "Many foreign players see rugby as a way of life, effortlessly moving between the thrill of competition and the relaxation of leisure. Our goal as organizers is to create an authentic rugby experience that balances the intensity of the tournament with the joy of socializing." Ding added, "Looking ahead, we plan to invite more top international amateur teams and elevate the 'Shanghai Cup' into a world-class event that truly reflects Shanghai's standing as a global sports hub."

Highlights of the "Shanghai Cup"

Throughout the event, players displayed the teamwork spirit and competitive charm of rugby. Numerous matches saw nail-biting scores and a sizzling atmosphere. It featured top performances from local teams and intense showdowns among international sides.

As a highlight of Yangpu's "Dynamic Business District Show", this tournament has not only fostered international sports and cultural exchanges but has also served as a catalyst for regional consumption upgrading. Looking ahead, the district will further deepen the "leading sports district" strategy. By leveraging competitions as a link, we aim to create an integrated ecosystem that combines mass fitness with consumption upgrades, thereby supporting Shanghai's ambition to become a globally renowned sports city.

Competition Results

Women's Division

Cup Champion: Wuxi Saber-Toothed Tigers

Runner-Up: SRFC Pink Ladies

Men's Division

Cup Champion: Bulldog Dragons

Runner-Up: SRFC Silver Dragons

Plate Champion: Beijing Longhua

Fourth Place: Jianfan

Bowl Champion: Ningbo Rhinos

Sixth Place: Beijing Ducks

Special Acknowledgements

Referees

Wang Ye Qin

David Kuo

Albert Au Kin Wah

Alex Arndt

George Adeonojobi

Lu Min Qian

Nathan Shute

Shen Junyu

Shi Haoran

William Arnold

Wang Weizheng

Yang Chuanxiang

Yuan Xiaoya

Zhang Shengxin

With their expertise and dedication, the referees made this tournament a true showcase of the sport's authentic competitive spirit.

This tournament beautifully captured rugby's blend of strength and wisdom, boosting global sports and cultural exchanges. Moving forward, SRFA will keep expanding the event to cement its place as Asia's top amateur rugby brand.