In recent years, the winter sports industry has seen unprecedented global growth, particularly with the successful hosting of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. These events have not only brought significant attention to winter sports but have also spurred a surge in international investment and collaboration. Legal sectors such as international trade, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance have become key focal points for industry professionals.
The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics marked a pivotal moment for China’s snow and ice industry. With a total investment exceeding 200 billion RMB, including the construction of world-class venues, China has become a key player in the global winter sports market. The natural winter climate in northern China provides an ideal environment for the growth and popularization of winter sports. Leveraging the Olympics, Beijing and its surrounding areas have seen large-scale construction and upgrades of ski resorts and ice facilities, attracting both domestic and international tourists and offering substantial market opportunities for investors.
The potential of the snow and ice industry in northern China is gradually being realized. Regions such as Hebei and Jilin Provinces, with their abundant natural resources and winter tourism demand, have emerged as core areas for winter sports in China. The Olympics accelerated infrastructure development in these regions, creating new business opportunities in sectors like ski equipment manufacturing, winter tourism, and Olympic-related merchandise sales. For example, Hebei Province’s snow and ice industry reached a total output value of 58.71 billion RMB in 2022, a year-on-year increase of 10.2% (Source: Hebei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism).
Similarly, the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is expected to offer vast opportunities for international investors, particularly in hospitality, infrastructure development, and technological innovation. Lombardy, the region where Milan is located, is already a hub for winter sports enthusiasts and will become a focal point for sports and tourism during the Olympics. Sustainable technology investments, such as eco-friendly venues and smart city solutions, are expected to be a priority, especially given the emphasis on sustainable development and the green economy.
International collaboration has played a crucial role in the success of both the Beijing and Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. For the Beijing 2022 Games, China partnered with multiple countries to introduce expertise in event management, logistics, and winter sports technology. Collaboration with European countries, in particular, significantly enhanced China’s competitiveness in winter sports and attracted foreign coaches and athletes. In northern China, such international cooperation has provided technical support and market expansion opportunities, driving the development of local winter sports.
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will also witness similar international collaboration, not only in event management but also in building sports partnerships, promoting winter sports tourism, and developing infrastructure. Italy’s close ties with neighboring countries like Austria and Switzerland will further facilitate knowledge sharing and technology transfer, particularly leveraging their advanced experience in winter sports.
International collaboration in the snow and ice industry involves complex legal issues, including cross-border trade regulations, intellectual property protection, and international sports law compliance. During the Olympics, sponsorship, broadcasting rights, and the use of trademarks and event logos are governed by strict legal frameworks, requiring close attention from legal professionals.
Investors must have a comprehensive understanding of the host country’s legal framework, including regulations on foreign investment, compliance, and intellectual property protection. For instance, foreign companies investing in the Beijing Winter Olympics must adhere to China’s Foreign Investment Law to protect their interests. In some northern regions of China, local policies must also be taken into account when attracting foreign investment. As for the Milan Winter Olympics, organizers must ensure that the event complies with EU public procurement directives and environmental standards.
Moreover, legal services related to the Olympics span key areas such as sports law, commercial contracts, and infrastructure compliance. Companies must ensure that sponsorship and broadcasting agreements are legally sound, while also focusing on the protection of Olympic brand trademarks and addressing environmental, tax, data protection, and security management requirements in their commercial operations.
The Olympics are not only the pinnacle of sporting events but also a significant window of opportunity for international investment and business collaboration. The Beijing Winter Olympics accelerated the development of China’s snow and ice economy, with northern regions leveraging natural conditions and government support to attract foreign investment and upgrade infrastructure and winter sports industries. The upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will continue this momentum, offering new growth opportunities for global investors. Throughout this process, compliance management, intellectual property protection, and adaptability to investment regulations are crucial. Companies must stay abreast of regulatory developments to ensure compliance in host countries, maximizing business opportunities in the snow and ice industry while minimizing legal risks.
Preface As the leader of China’s economic development and the forefront of reform and opening up, Shanghai has always attached great importance to attracting foreign investment. Recently, the Shanghai Government deliberated and adopted a series of policy measures to promote the sustained economic recovery, and at the same time actively responded to the Action Plan
In recent years, the winter sports industry has seen unprecedented global growth, particularly with the successful hosting of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. These events have not only brought significant attention to winter sports but have also spurred a surge in international investment and collaboration. Legal sectors such
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