A poster for the Global Sportswear Design Award. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

The third Global Sportswear Design Award was launched on June 14 at the China National Silk Museum in Hangzhou, aiming to integrate global innovation resources through close collaboration between industry, academia, and research.

Co-organized by Anta Group and Tsinghua University, the competition serves as a model for sportswear industry cooperation in China. It fosters a full-cycle innovation ecosystem — from creative incubation and talent selection to industrial transformation.

This year's competition features four core tracks: technology, culture, nature, and AI-generated content (AIGC). With seven campus roadshows planned globally, it has sought to attract participants from 25 countries and regions, including students, designers, and institutions, aiming to collect over 2,500 submissions. The prize pool exceeds 1 million yuan ($139,288).

A global jury of more than 100 top experts from both design and industry will evaluate entries. Through a closed-loop model of submission, review, and industrialization, the competition seeks to promote innovation and sustainability in the sports equipment sector.

At the launch event, organizers also released a Sports Fashion Industry Design Innovation Trend Report, offering insights into future trends in sports gear technology.

A fashion show is held during the launch event. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]