Football coach Pan Xin was struck by the lively atmosphere at the opening match of the Jiangsu City Football League a month ago, an energy that has continued to thrive. The event attracted a large audience, including high-ranking provincial officials, and featured cheerleaders who added vibrancy to the occasion. State media even broadcast the match live. “It was an impressive start, but I didn’t expect the momentum to last this long,” said Pan, who trains a youth football team in Danyang, Jiangsu province.
Over the past month, the grass-roots league, often referred to as the Su Super League, has drawn millions of online viewers and thousands of fans to stadiums. This surge in interest has sparked increased spending on items such as match tickets and local specialties. Despite past frustrations with China’s men’s national football team, which recently exited the Asian qualifiers for next year’s World Cup after a loss to Indonesia, fans have shown remarkable enthusiasm for this amateur tournament. Featuring 13 city-based teams with players from varied backgrounds, the league has become a commercial success, driving consumption and rekindling local interest in the sport.
— news from South China Morning Post
— News Original —
How is a grass-roots football league scoring economic goals in China’s Jiangsu province?
Football coach Pan Xin was impressed by the vibrant atmosphere at the Jiangsu City Football League’s opening match a month ago, but admits to being surprised it has persisted.
The game drew a large crowd – including senior provincial officials – with cheerleaders adding a dash of colour, and was broadcast live by state media, he said.
“It felt like a great start to the event, but I didn’t anticipate such a lasting impact,” said Pan, who coaches a youth football team in Danyang, Jiangsu province.
Over the past month, the grass-roots football league – known colloquially as the Su Super League – has attracted millions of online viewers and thousands of fans to stadiums, sparking a consumption boom in products ranging from match tickets to local specialities.
Chinese soccer fans, repeatedly disappointed by the men’s national football team, which was knocked out of the Asian qualifiers for next year’s World Cup after losing to Indonesia earlier this month, are showing unprecedented enthusiasm for the amateur tournament in the east coast province.
Featuring 13 city-based teams with players from diverse backgrounds, the league has become a commercial juggernaut, with the rekindled passion boosting consumption.