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The largest single basketball venue in Zhejiang province — the Zhuji Basketball Center — hosted the final round of the Zhejiang City Basketball League (ZheBA) Shaoxing division on July 19.

The Zhuji team defeated Shangyu before more than 8,000 fans to clinch the division championship with a perfect 5-0 record, becoming the first team in the province to advance from the preliminaries.

As Zhejiang's largest mass-participation basketball competition, the 2025 ZheBA Shaoxing division preliminaries attracted nearly 70,000 spectators over the course of the tournament.

Organizers drew on elements of local cuisine, history, and folk traditions, transforming them into recognizable cultural symbols. Using LED boards, fan banners, and livestream bullet comments, they promoted regional puns and wordplay to create viral talking points. Related videos on Douyin received more than 30 million views within 24 hours, while average attendance at the 15 games reached 98 percent.

Inside the arena, performances of intangible cultural heritage, free tastings of local snacks, and displays of agricultural creative products encouraged cultural tourism participation. Outside, themed market stalls extended the event into the night, catering to spectators' appetite for post-game food and entertainment.

By bundling game tickets with discounts on dining, accommodation, and scenic attractions, organizers encouraged broader spending. In Keqiao district, for instance, participants were allowed to bring up to three family members to enjoy special offers, expanding the benefits from core attendees to their social circles.