The night at Expo Source was set ablaze by the passion for table tennis.
On the evening of May 2, as the London World Table Tennis Team Championships ignited thousands of miles away, the 2026 Shanghai Table Tennis Carnival’s second venue—dubbed the “All-City Celebration Night”—brought the excitement to life in real time.
With six hours of electrifying offline activities and over 12 hours of live streaming, Shanghai’s ping-pong rhythm pulsed in perfect sync with the London arena.
Live Connections to London, Surprise Appearance by “Calabash Brothers”
Four massive screens broadcast matches from four tables in London simultaneously, while former national players Liu Guozheng, Chen Qi, Zhou Yu, and Cheng Jingqi provided expert commentary. This was the scene at the second venue of the Shanghai Table Tennis Carnival.
The main venue also connected multiple times with four sub-venues—North Bund, Shanghai Great World, Sanlinqiao, and Dishui Lake—to share the love for table tennis. At Dishui Lake, a stunning drone show lit up the night sky, with flexible drone formations creating table-tennis-themed patterns.
Before the matches, Liu Guozheng recalled his experience of saving seven match points at the Osaka World Championships: “The Chinese table tennis team is a collective. When I faced difficulties during the match, the coaches and teammates off the court gave me spiritual encouragement and support. My belief never wavered because that was the moment closest to my dream. No matter how many difficulties and challenges, I couldn’t give up easily. I had to unleash all my energy.”
Chen Qi, meanwhile, reflected on winning the Olympic men’s doubles gold at age 20: “Although we encountered some difficulties during the match, we were still very confident. Since we came, we gave it our all to have no regrets. In the end, we got the championship.”
At the main venue, a surprise guest appeared: the seventh child from the classic Shanghai Fine Arts Film Studio animated series *Calabash Brothers*. The familiar theme song echoed through the venue, instantly evoking childhood memories for the audience.
The event then featured special prop ball-juggling challenges, audience quizzes, and lively interactions between guests and fans. The carnival’s theme song, *“Ping, Pong, Pong”*, added to the electric atmosphere.
As the event wound down, a giant Tifo reading “Support the National Team, One Ping-Pong, Battle London, Pong-Pong Victory” unfurled from the main stage and was passed through the audience. Cheers and shouts rose wave after wave as everyone united to cheer for the national table tennis team, creating a tidal wave of ping-pong passion.
First-Ever “Pong-Pong” Caravan Debuts
The debut of the “Pong-Pong” caravan became another highlight. On the caravan’s screen, videos such as *The Arc of Shanghai Ping-Pong*, the *Carnival Introduction Promo*, and short clips featuring crossovers, overseas stories, and glory moments played on a loop, weaving together Shanghai’s ping-pong past, present, and future.
Interactive quiz and game zones attracted eager locals, offering a taste of an all-in-one immersive experience. From May to July, the “Pong-Pong” caravan will tour all 16 districts of Shanghai on weekends, broadcasting matches live with professional commentary. It will also feature robot-challenge matches, themed markets, and more, bringing the ping-pong carnival right to residents’ doorsteps.
Meanwhile, a limited-time pop-up exhibition titled “One Ping, Pong, Pong – ‘Shanghai Bank’ 2026 Shanghai Table Tennis Carnival Themed Cultural Exhibition” curated by the Shanghai Sports Museum appeared at Expo Source. Using photographic storytelling, physical displays, and creative interactions, the exhibition revived the historical thread of Shanghai’s table tennis development, allowing the sport’s culture to flow into the city’s night.
From a thrilling live viewing experience to citywide nighttime engagement and cultural activities, the “All-City Celebration Night” seamlessly merged match viewing, interactive nightlife, and a festive atmosphere. This was more than just a viewing party—it was a vivid example of the deep integration of culture, commerce, tourism, sports, and exhibition, a vibrant city using table tennis to showcase its sporting heritage, nighttime charm, and human warmth. And it’s only the beginning.
Soon, on May 5, the “Early Summer Fresh Night” and on May 10, the “Youth Passion Night” will take the stage, continuing to etch the rhythm of “One Ping, Pong, Pong” into the city’s nightscape.
