Alberto Longo, Co-Founder and Chief Championship Officer of Formula E, described the coastal street circuit as a site that pushes drivers to their absolute limit. The choice to bring the cutting-edge GEN4 vehicles to the resort city early in the season reflects a deliberate strategy to showcase high-stakes racing against a unique backdrop. This selection follows a successful 2026 event that reached audiences in 195 countries.

The city’s rise as a global hub is anchored by the Hainan Free Trade Port, which has streamlined customs and logistics. Recent data shows a 31.2% year-over-year increase in cross-border travel, totaling 1.654 million entries during the first six months of the port’s independent operations. Beyond racing, Sanya has leveraged a visa-free regime for 86 countries and a simplified one-stop approval process for cultural and sports events to attract organizers. By integrating 36 direct international flight routes with a network of 23 overseas promotion offices, the municipal government has successfully transitioned the city from an occasional host to a proactive destination for global rights holders.