With only 21 days remaining until the opening of the 6th Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 (Sanya 2026), preparations for the opening ceremony are in the final stages.

The initial technical run-through at Yasha Park Phase I Ring Theater concluded on the evening of 30 March. The entire directing team, performers, and volunteers have completed rehearsals for each segment and are moving toward integrated on-site rehearsals accordingly. All technical systems, such as stage machinery, lighting, sound, and video projection, are now fully installed. A spectacular opening ceremony blending Asian spirit, Chinese characteristics, Hainan’s charm, and Sanya’s unique coastal character is set to be unveiled.

Debriefing after first-phase technical run-throughs

Technical run-throughs for the opening ceremony

Opening ceremony rehearsals

The opening ceremony, “A Date with the Sea and the Sky,” focuses on the themes of “Vitality, Openness, and Joy.” It will feature two main parts: the opening ceremony itself and a cultural performance.

The performance is structured into three chapters: “Passion of the Sea and Sky”, “Dreams Beneath the Deep Blue”, and “Connecting the World”, weaving together Asia’s diverse civilisations, Hainan’s tropical coastal culture, and Sanya’s lively city atmosphere.

Chief Director Huang Peiling said, “We aim to break the boundaries of the traditional stage.” The performance will incorporate advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to deliver a captivating visual experience that blends virtual elements with beach and ocean scenery. For example, in the ‘Dreams Beneath the Deep Blue’ segment, viewers will see ‘divers’ engaging with marine life on stage, artistically illustrating the harmony between humans and the environment and emphasising green development,” Huang explained. “Each program is carefully crafted to offer an immersive experience that can fully capture the audience’s attention.”

With 21 days left, Artistic Director Chen Weiya encapsulated the team’s current state in one word: “energised”.

He stated that the directing team, technical staff, performers, and volunteers are united and highly motivated, and that they are confident they can deliver an exceptional opening ceremony. He explained that the event will highlight Asian spirit, Chinese characteristics, Hainan’s charm, and Sanya’s unique appeal to the global audience.

He added that in the final days leading up to the ceremony, the team will focus on refining emotional expression and detail.

“Beyond just flawless technical execution, we aim for authentic emotional connection. Each scene must narrate a story, and every moment should reflect friendship within Asia and the warmth of Hainan.”

With the successful completion of technical run-throughs, “A Date with the Sea and the Sky” is ready to take centre stage.

On the evening of 22 April, the directing team will host an opening ceremony that blends technology and art and expresses dreams and passion, showcasing a youthful, open, confident, and vibrant Hainan, together with a lively and colourful Sanya.