Ningbo companies score with World Cup-themed water bottles

World Cup-themed water bottles. [Photo by Zhang Ziqi/Yongpai App]

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, manufacturers in Ningbo are already seeing a surge in overseas orders for themed merchandise, especially water bottles and cups.

According to Ningbo Aikewei Technology, nearly 180,000 World Cup-themed bottles were shipped overseas from late October to April this year, mainly to the United States and Mexico.

Although the products may appear simple, achieving accurate colors is one of the biggest technical challenges. Overseas clients often provide exact Pantone color codes instead of physical samples, requiring the company to precisely reproduce team jersey colors and emblems across ceramic, plastic and stainless-steel materials.

For one soccer club-themed product, the company adjusted paint formulas five times before reaching the desired visual effect. "Every adjustment changes the gloss, texture and appearance under lighting," said Qiu Chunmiao, manager of the company's foreign trade department.

Founded in 2019, the company has grown rapidly by supplying sports merchandise to European soccer clubs and North American sports agencies. Its annual order value has exceeded $18 million.

To ensure authenticity, each officially licensed World Cup bottle is fitted with a special anti-counterfeit tracking chip. From January to April, the company's exports rose 47 percent year-on-year to nearly 40 million yuan ($5.88 million).

Local customs authorities have also introduced faster customs clearance and policy support to help companies make the most of major international sporting events.