Chongqing - China’s booming grassroots football scene is spreading to Chongqing, a 30-million-population metropolis in Southwest China. Inspired by the viral success of the “Village Super League” in Guizhou and the “Suchao” league in Jiangsu, the southwestern city is preparing to launch its own tournament — the Chongqing City Football Super League, or “Yuchao” — this September. The league aims to blend sport with local culture and public participation.
Chongqing football fans. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
Organizers announced on August 30 that Yuchao will run for eight months and feature 178 matches across five divisions and two stages.
In the run-up to the opening, districts across Chongqing have been holding trials to recruit players. More than 200 people registered for the Shapingba District qualifiers, according to a notice published on August 27 by the “Shapingba Sports” WeChat account. Participants ranged from former professional youth players to university athletes and amateurs working as software engineers, teachers, psychological counselors, and coaches.
On August 31, over 200 Shapingba’s Jialing Football Stadium players completed fitness and skills tests, including sprints, dribbling, shooting, and match play. Similar tryouts in Dadukou District, Wansheng Economic Development Zone, and Fuling District each drew more than 100 applicants. Liangping District even invited residents to help name its team online, with lighthearted suggestions like “Liangping Roast Duck.”
The Chongqing league follows the rise of other popular amateur tournaments in China. The “Village Super League” in Rongjiang County, Guizhou Province, has garnered nationwide attention, with related topics on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, surpassing 20 billion views. Official data show Rongjiang welcomed 4.7 million visitors from January to June 2025, generating 5.1 billion yuan ($715 million) in tourism revenue. Matches often award quirky prizes like livestock, which quickly go viral online.
Meanwhile, the Jiangsu Province City Football League, nicknamed “Suchao,” began in May 2025 and has already attracted more than 30 billion views on Douyin. Thirteen city-named teams compete in the league, which mixes competitive play with humorous slogans to engage fans.
Observers say these experiences offer lessons for Chongqing. “At first, attendance was poor, and students and residents were invited to fill seats. But with better organization and stronger publicity, it became hugely popular,” said media professional Shi Ting, who has closely followed “Suchao.” “Fans enjoyed it, cultural tourism benefited, and city branding improved. ‘Yuchao’ could adopt similar strategies to showcase Chongqing’s unique character.”
Veteran supporter Sang Jianhua argued that Yuchao should carve out its own identity. “Compared with the Village Super League, it should be more trendy and imaginative; compared with the Jiangsu league, it should feel more down-to-earth and fun,” he said.
Football practitioner Zou Fan added that the long-term goal should be to establish Yuchao as a stable platform for local football. “If it continues consistently, it can truly help the sport develop,” he said.
Experts suggest the league could go beyond football by integrating Chongqing’s scenery, culture, and cuisine. “Events like the Village Super League, Suchao, and Yuchao should highlight regional characteristics and public participation,” said Luo Zhibo, chief expert of the China Tourism Academy. “Yuchao matches can embody Chongqing’s vitality and spirit. The city deserves a football dream as lively as its hotpot culture.”
Luo added that joint events with Chengdu could further expand the league’s impact, supporting the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle and the Bashu cultural tourism corridor.