Looking to get that heart rate up and those muscles pumping? You’re in luck: we’ve tracked down Shanghai’s finest work-out establishments, and, trust us, they are sure to get your blood flowing.
AMERICAN FOOTBALL
The Shanghai Titans
A team comprised of both Chinese and foreign players, anyone from beginner to advanced is invited to play. The Titans have more than 50 members, from 20 to 40-years-old. The teams participate in the American Football League of China, which is held this fall season.
Who can play: Anyone over 18 with their own equipment. Under 18s need parental consent.
Where and when: Practice at Zhangjiang Sports Center, games held at stadiums in Shanghai/China. Timing TBD.
Season starts: Practice begins in August for the fall season with games Sep-Dec. The spring season runs from Mar-Jun.
Fee: RMB800
Contact: Datong Wang at 186 1651 6685 or email Shanghaititans@gmail.com.
BASKETBALL
Shanghai Elite Basketball League
A non-profit organization designed to facilitate the highest level of expat basketball and social spirit. The league is competitive and is invite-only, but free agents can contact Matt (below) for further information on membership.
Who can play: Highly competitive players.
Season starts: Feb.
Where and when: Sun 11am-3pm at Shanghai American School, Puxi Campus.
Contact: Matt Kuykendall at mattdkuykendall@hotmail.com
BOXING
Aboro Academy
Founded by World Champion Michele Aboro in January 2014, the Aboro Academy is quickly becoming the go-to place for boxing in Shanghai. The professional coaches at the Academy offer anything from 1-on-1 training to Dutch kickboxing to corporate classes.
Who can play: Anyone.
Season starts: Year-round.
Where and when: Open Mon-Fri 6.30am-10pm, Sat/Sun 9am-4pm.
Upcoming events: On Oct. 17 there will be a fight called Knockout 3. Doors open at 2pm, first fight starts at 3pm. Fee: RMB80.
Contact: www.aboroacademy.com, email info@aboroacademy.com or call 6222 0266. See listing here.
BUBBLE FOOTBALL
Never heard of bubble football? You’ve been missing out on what can only be described as soccer played in giant rolly-polly hamster balls. If you’re interested in football’s latest craze (and how could you not be?) visitors are welcome.
Who can play: Anyone.
Season starts: Year-round.
Where and when: At the Jinqiao Sports Arena, open Mon-Fri from 9.am-9pm.
Fee: RMB100/90 minutes
Contact: Email info@jinqiaoarena.com.cn, or call 185 0160 5084, more details at jinqiaoarena.com.cn
CRICKET
Shanghai Cricket Club
Founded in 1858 and re-established in 1994, the club caters to players of different ability levels and backgrounds, with three divisions and seven member clubs. They also field two exhibition teams which tour around the world and host overseas clubs in Shanghai.
Who can play: Anyone.
Season starts: Mar and runs until the finals in mid-Oct.
Where and when: Sat/Sun at Wellington College and SRFC (recently renamed SCFC).
Contact: www.shanghaicricket.com or email info@shanghaicricket.com
Shanghai Night Sixes
DPR Hotdogs present the third edition of Shanghai Night Sixes, a 6-a-side tennis ball cricket tournament with a big emphasis on fun! Each team plays a minimum of 3, 10 over, 30-minute games. Buses (loaded with booze) will be provided to get to and from the grounds.
Who can play: Anyone as long as you have a team.
When: Sat, October 17 from 5-11pm.
Where: SRFC
Fee: RMB1500 for all games, 8 playing shirts and F&B credit
Contact: Vikas Laxman – 13601756563 or email vikaslaxman@gmail.com
Danny Hooper – 152 2191 4453 or email dannyhoop@gmail.com
FOOTBALL (SOCCER)
Shanghai International Football League (SIFL)
The oldest and most competitive amateur football league in Shanghai, it consists of 2 divisions: The Premier League and First Division, with 10 teams in each. There are three main competitions: league, SIFL Cup and Hebiguchi Cup, as well as two tournaments throughout the season.
Who can play: Anyone with a passion for the beautiful game.
Season starts: Sep.
Where and when: Varies based on team.
Contact: Facebook page or visit eteamz.com/sifl
Shanghai Lions FC
The Lions have a variety of programs, including youth teams (14-18 years), adults and girls. Last season, their senior team (18-35 years) won the Shanghai championship unbeaten. The Lions organize their own soccer events, including tournaments in the summer and futsal in the winter.
Who can play: Boys and girls 14-18/seniors/veterans (over 35).
Season starts: Mid Sep.
Where and when: Wed, 8-10pm training at Shanghai University and 6–8pm at Century Park; games on Sat, Sun, and Mon. Check online for details
Contact: www.shanghai-lions.com
Shanghai Premier League
This amateur football league has steadily built a solid rep over the years, holding games on the same pitch they started on over 10 years ago. While competitive, they maintain a fun, friendly and fair aspect to the game with teams from all over the world, dubbing themselves the ‘United Nations’ of football.
Who can play: Anyone
Season starts: Sep-Jun.
Where and when: Sun 10am-5pm at Jinqiao, SRFC and Century Park.
Contact: www.shanghaipremierleague.net or email president Freek Boelen at Fboelen@hotmail.com
GOLF
Shanghai Golfers Club
The club consists of over 135 male and female members from 20 countries, playing for the love of the sport and the companionship that goes along with the game. They organize outings throughout the year plus several tournaments for fun and competition, usually ending with a party.
Who can play: Golfers of all levels.
Season starts: Year-round.
Where and when: Sat at courses around Shanghai.
Contact: www.shanghaigolfersclub.com
Shanghai Ladies Golf Club
Since 2002, Shanghai Ladies Golf has been a membership-based organization of predominantly expatriate women who play golf. The longstanding relationships SLG has developed with the golfing community allow its members to play and hone their skills on some of the nicest courses in Shanghai. Importantly, SLG is a fantastic venue for members to make new friends and acquaintances. All level players are welcome, however, players must be able to manage the course and maintain a reasonable pace.
Who can play: Women golfers.
Season starts: Late Aug-June (typically a break in Jan/Feb).
Where and when: Tuesday morning; vary weekly between Puxi and Pudong courses.
Contact: www.shanghailadiesgolf.com
LACROSSE
Shanghai Lacrosse
A group of multi-national players, both female and male, play this physical, fast-paced and high scoring game. They have plenty of loaner equipment to get you started. If you have experience playing lacrosse or want to give it a shot, this is definitely the place for you.
Who can play: Anyone. The skill level ranges from beginners to high level experienced players. We have both men and women from several different countries and a handful of high-school players.
Where and when: Saturdays from 11am-3pm at the Shanghai International Business and Economics University
Fee: Men's Lacrosse: RMB1200 for the season includes all games, a jersey, and food/drink deals at our sponsor Big Bamboo and Pistolera. If you cannot commit to the season but still want to play it's RMB150 per game. RMB1000 for women for the season; RMB100 per game if you do not want to commit to the full season. Student discounts available.
Season starts: September 5, but registration stays open.
Contact: Email info@shanghailacrosse.com or visit Facebook
GAELIC FOOTBALL
Shanghai Gaelic Football Club
This dedicated group of men, women is made up of mostly non-Irish players (imagine that!). They train twice a week and play regular challenge games against other teams in China. They also participate in the annual All-China Games and Asian Gulf Games tournaments and organize monthly social events and fundraisers. There is also a kids program.
Who can play: Anyone – men and women. There is also a kids program for boys & girls age 5-12 years.
Upcoming event: This year, Shanghai will host the All Asia Gaelic Games on October 24 and 25 at the Shanghai Community Sports Club. Teams from all over Asia will come to Shanghai to participate in this huge two-day tournament. There will also be a youth competition. Spectators welcome!
Season starts: Year-round (with a break around Dec/Jan).
Where and when: Tue 8-10pm training at Luwan Stadium; Sat 1-3pm games; kids Sat 12-1pm at Shanghai Community Sports Club.
Contact: www.shanghaigaelic.com or email shanghaigaelic@gmail.com
TAEKWONDO
Jae Hun Kim Taekwon-do Institute
Learn the basics or hone your professional skills, with everything from children’s classes to adult sparring held in a studio that has been open since 1974. If you can get your black belt here, you’ll have truly earned it.
Who can play: Anyone. Children’s classes start from age 4.
Season starts: Year-round.
Where and when: Branches throughout Shanghai, check online for location and schedule.
Contact: www.tkdshanghai.com or call 5877-1126
TENNIS
China Elite Training Academy
Both the professional Chinese and international coaches here meet the highest level qualifications and standards for coaching, instructing over 500 players across the city. They are looking towards the Shanghai ATP Masters and are the official on-site practice partners for some of the world’s best players, including Roger Federer.
Who can play: All ages
Season starts: Year-round. Holiday camps run during school vacations.
Where and when: Based in Pudong (3 clubs) and Puxi (5 clubs); location details and events available online.
Contact: www.srfctennis.com or contact Conrad Singh at 1360 1866 312 or email Conrad.singh@cetatennis.com
The Shanghai Racquet Club and Fusion Tennis
With instructional programs, competitions and events, international pros provide tennis training and playing opportunities for all levels. The professional Tennis Registry also provides certification to both foreigners and locals who want to become tennis teachers or coaches.
Who can play: All ages; four divisions of classes based on skill level.
Season starts: Year-round; programs coincide with schedules at Shanghai’s international schools.
Where and when: Program, competition and event times vary, all held at the Shanghai Racquet Club.
Contact: www.fusionchina.net and www.src.com.cn
ASA Ladder Shanghai
This free online tennis network allows players in Shanghai to join their local tennis community, meet new partners, and compete for the highest stats in the city. The website also features local tennis news, information about tournaments, events and a list of available courts in Shanghai.
Season starts: Year-round.
Where and when: Matches are organized between players. Visit the website for a list of courts.
Contact: info@asaladder.com or visit www.asaladder.com
ULTIMATE FRISBEE
Shanghai Ultimate Players Association
A community made up of locals and expats united by their love of Frisbees, friends and beer, but don’t expect a relaxed game of toss. Ultimate combines the endurance of soccer with the passing skills of American football. Your post-workout beer will be well-deserved.
Who can play: Anyone with cleats, one light and one dark jersey.
Season starts: Year-round. More practices start late Sep.
Where and when: Mon 8-10pm at Jing’an Workers’ Stadium; Sat, 12-2pm, SRFC. Competitive practice (invite only) from late Aug-Nov.
Fee: RMB50
Contact: www.shanghaiultimate.com or email Dax Haas at shanghaiultimate@gmail.com or call 188 1766 5720.
UNDERWATER HOCKEY
Azure Dragons
Also known as Octopush, the Azure Dragons team has been in Shanghai for more than two years, now boasting around 20 members from all over the world. Participating in friendly matches (for now) across Asia, they’re always looking to grow and even do demonstrations of their sport for schools or other swim teams. Spare gear is available for anyone who wants to test the waters.
Who can play: Anyone with decent swimming skills.
Season starts: Year-round.
Where and when: Sun 1pm at Shanghai Sports School.
Contact: Email shanghai.azures@gmail.com or visit shanghai-azures.tumblr.com.
ZUMBA
Z&B Fitness
This fitness club hosts over 140 classes in Xtend Barre, Zumba®, ZCycle, TRX, Boot Camp, Pump, Combat, Yoga and a variety of other programs to get that blood pumping. Instructors are multilingual and clientele is international. Z&B Fitness wants you to love your body and your life.
Who can play: Anyone. Kids classes are from new borns-12, adults 15+.
Season starts: Year-round.
Where and when: Schedule available online. Two different locations: 1219 Changle Lu and 258 Tongren Lu.
Fee: First free trial class, RMB150/drop-in, RMB1400/10-classes, RMB2400/20 classses, RMB4000/40 classes, RMB6400/70 classes, RMB8000/100classes.
Contact: www.znbfitness.com call 6121 9079 or email info@znbfitness.com
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