The city of Qiqihar, renowned as China's "Ice Hockey City," is set to host the 16th Heilongjiang Provincial Games in August 2026, marking the event's return after a 26-year absence. This occasion represents more than a high-level athletic competition; it signifies Qiqihar's strategic shift from a focus purely on competitive sports toward an integrated model promoting national fitness and the fusion of sports, culture, and tourism.
The "Ice Hockey City" welcomes back the provincial sports gala with a rich legacy in winter sports. Having previously hosted major events like the World Ice Hockey Championship Division I-A and the Asian Ice Hockey League, the city possesses extensive experience in organizing large-scale sports events. After 26 years, Qiqihar has transformed from an industrial hub into a modern city celebrated both as the "International Capital of BBQ Cuisine" and the "Ice Hockey City." This edition of the games carries deeper significance, as it will be held concurrently with the 9th Heilongjiang Provincial Games for Persons with Disabilities, testing the city's capacity for integrated event management.
The upcoming games will feature 33 major sports across 42 disciplines. Twenty-two of these, including athletics, football, basketball, ice hockey, and figure skating, will be held within Qiqihar. The event program highlights several key themes: diversity, with the inclusion of both traditional sports and emerging activities like breakdancing and roller skating, as well as intellectual sports such as chess and bridge; public participation, through specially arranged mass competition groups; and inclusivity, demonstrated by the parallel hosting of the games for athletes with disabilities.
Preparations have entered the final phase. Adhering to a principle of renovating existing venues where possible, Qiqihar is upgrading four key facilities, including a basketball gymnasium and a winter sports center, with a total investment of 23.158 million yuan. Structural reinforcement and refurbishment are largely complete, with all venues scheduled to be ready by the end of May and inspected by the end of June. A detailed operational plan with 103 key tasks is being executed, and preliminary events, such as bridge and chess competitions, have already been successfully held in April. Comprehensive service and security plans involving public security, transportation, and health departments are in place to ensure safety and uphold the principles of a streamlined, secure, and clean event.
Qiqihar's ambition extends beyond the games themselves, aiming to use the "sports plus" model to fuel urban development. The "sports + culture/tourism" initiative will feature a city BBQ food festival and a summer tourism campaign, designed to convert visitor traffic into sustained economic benefits. The "sports + industry" approach will leverage global contests for the games' emblem, mascot, and slogan to enhance the city's profile internationally. Furthermore, "sports + public welfare" efforts, including improved fitness facilities and the creation of a "15-minute fitness circle," aim to make sports an integral part of daily life for residents.
In the summer of 2026, Qiqihar is poised to present a provincial games that is streamlined, safe, splendid, and beneficial to the people, thereby writing a new chapter of honor in the city's development.