Abstract: When sports industry in China is prospering，innovation is playing an increasingly important role in the development of sports industry. China will develop into a great sports nation when the sports industry is driven not by investment of various elements but by innovations in science and technology，concept，system and service. Science and technology innovation is an important driving force，and concept innovation is an important guidance: we need to change the traditional ideas，to accept the concept of government service，and to integrate social resources. System innovation provides guarantee for the development of sports industry. Service innovation serves as an engine for the development of sports industry: it is necessary to improve sports service to satisfy social demands，and to carry forward the national sports culture.

Key words: sports industry, a great sports nation, innovation driven, national system, national sports culture