Roger Federer joins On for a floating tennis installation and aerial light show in China
Swiss sportswear brand On and tennis legend Roger Federer brought the global On Thanks for Playing series to Shenzhen, China, on October 14, 2026, with a floating tennis court and an aerial installation featuring 2,000 drones. The event took place at Shenzhen Talent Park, where thousands of spectators gathered along the waterfront to witness a programme combining live tennis, digital technology and community participation. Developed as part of On’s ongoing collaboration with Roger Federer, the initiative celebrated grassroots tennis in China through a large-scale public experience that extended from the waterfront into the city’s skyline.
The floating tennis court formed the central installation, positioned on the water at Shenzhen Talent Park against the surrounding urban landscape. Its distinctive location introduced an unconventional setting for live tennis, allowing spectators to follow the activities from the waterfront. Roger Federer stepped onto the temporary court alongside 18-year-old Fa Wang, a young player from Yunnan who gained national attention at the age of 14. Local junior players Xinya Xiao, Siyan Jiang and Zixi Yang also joined the tennis icon for a series of exchanges, bringing emerging Chinese athletes into an event attended by thousands.
As evening approached, the programme expanded into the sky with a coordinated drone light installation involving 2,000 illuminated devices. The aerial performance traced a symbolic journey from Roger Federer’s childhood in Basel, Switzerland, to Shenzhen, using choreographed formations to communicate the theme of sporting ambition. The sequence concluded with the message Dream On, connecting the visual presentation to On’s broader brand identity. Viewed against Shenzhen’s illuminated skyline, the drone show introduced a digital art component to the sporting event, which attracted more than 9.6 million viewers through its livestream.
Beyond the waterfront installation, On organised a community gathering at its newly opened Shenzhen flagship store, bringing Federer together with young athletes from the Wild Elephant Tennis Club. The meeting marked their reunion following an earlier encounter in Shanghai in 2024. Their collaboration also informed the design of a special edition of THE ROGER Wildcard footwear. Developed by On’s design and innovation teams, the shoe incorporates motifs from an original hand-painted drawing created by one of the children, translated into graphic detailing and a customised sockliner.
The Shenzhen edition continued a series of initiatives through which On and Roger Federer have supported tennis communities in China. Previous programmes included the renovation of tennis courts at the Shanghai Xuhui District First Youth Amateur Sports School in 2025, alongside activities involving young players from rural Yunnan. These projects extend the partnership beyond footwear development and professional competition, establishing direct connections between established athletes, local communities and emerging talent.
For the 2026 event, the combination of a floating sports installation, public performance and drone technology introduced a new dimension to the On Thanks for Playing programme. Shenzhen’s waterfront provided the physical setting, while its skyline became part of the evening’s visual presentation. Through the participation of young athletes and the integration of community-generated artwork into product design, On connected a temporary public spectacle with its continuing investment in tennis culture across China.
All images courtesy of On, shared with permission
