The 2026 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Zhongshan) Dragon Boat Invitational & Zhongshan Dragon Boat Culture and Tourism Carnival kicked off on the Qijiang River section between Dongming and Kanghua bridges on the Dragon Boat Festival, which fell on June 19.

The tournament drew 74 teams with 2,500 athletes from "9+2" GBA cities and beyond.

On day one, 45 teams battled across four events:

Tongji University took the collegiate men's 22-player international-standard title; 

Tuanjie Dadunbei Dragon Boat Team A claimed the long dragon (traditional) crown; 

Dongguan's Zhongtang Huamei Dragon Boat Team won the men's 22-player international-standard event; 

Guangzhou's Yuexiu Water Sports Association captured the women's 22-player international-standard title.