Check local listings or your hotel desk for current sports in town. The Chinese National Basketball League (CNBL) has been building a strong following across China since its inception in 1994. Each team is allowed to hire two foreign players (usually Americans). The powerful Shanghai Sharks (home team of 2.26m/7 ft. 5 in. Yao Ming, now playing for the Houston Rockets in the NBA) play most of their home basketball games from November through April in Luwan Stadium, Zhaojiabang Lu 128 (tel. 021/6427-8673 or 021/6467-5358). Tickets are ¥30 to ¥200. Shanghai Stadium, Tianyaoqiao Lu 666, Xuhui (tel. 021/6426-6666 or 021/6426-6888, ext. 8268), is the usual venue for big sporting events (soccer, track, and field). Shanghai Zhabei Stadium, Gonghe Xin Lu 475, Changning (tel. 021/5690-8609), is a popular venue for rugby tournaments.

Formula One Fever -- Formula One racing officially roared into China with the Shanghai Grand Prix in September 2004. Located in the northwestern suburb of Anting in Jiading County, about 40 minutes from People's Square, the Shanghai International Circuit (Shanghai Guoji Saichechang), which will host F1 races at least through 2011, features a stunning track in the contours of a Chinese character, and a 10-story glass-and-steel grandstand. Tickets range from ¥180 for practice sessions to ¥3,980 for top seats overlooking the finish line on the last day. For more information, call tel. 021/9682-6999 or 021/6330-5555, or visit www.icsh.sh.cn. To get to the track, you can now take Metro Line 11 out to the Shanghai Circuit stop.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.