Chongqing - What began as a rainy evening turned into a storm of passion at the Shuangbei Jialing Football Stadium on October 12, as the Shapingba Chenchangyin team hosted the Beibei Jinyun Dingjiu side in the Chongqing “Yuchao” football league.
Players battle it out in the rain. (Photo/Guo Jin)
Rain-Soaked, but Unbroken
An hour before kickoff, torrential rain suddenly poured down, catching hundreds of fans off guard. Many were drenched while waiting in line, yet few chose to leave.
“I thought people would stay home with rain like this,” said a nearby resident, surprised to see the stands later filled to capacity. “But it seems nothing can stop their enthusiasm.”
When the match began, the crowd packed the stands, chanting and waving flags as rainwater streamed down their ponchos. Even as thunder rolled, Shapingba and Beibei players pressed on, delivering a fierce, fast-paced attacking battle.
Fans brave the downpour to watch the match. (Photo/Zhang Zhi)
In the 40th minute, Beibei’s No. 22 player Xu Hengtong struck a stunning long-range goal that sealed a 1-0 victory for the visiting side.
Residents and Businesses Feel the Buzz
Hours before the game, streets leading to the stadium were already lined with banners and posters bearing the names “Yuchao” and “Shapingba.” Families walked together wearing team colors, while nearby residents looked on in amazement at the scale of local football fever.
Businesses around the venue also reaped the rewards. “Today might be my best day in four years,” said Ms. Dai, owner of Balcony Café just 100 meters from the entrance. “We usually sell about 40 cups of coffee a day — today it was over 100!” Her café offered half-price Americanos and displayed posters reading “Go Chongqing!” and “Shapingba For the Win!”
A restaurant near the Shuangbei Jialing Football Stadium adds football-themed decorations. (Photo/Shapingba District)
Nearby restaurants joined the celebration, decorating their entrances with football-themed balloons and running meal discounts for fans. Even a local hotpot restaurant launched a 15% promotion and beer deals for post-match gatherings. “The home team may have lost,” said one diner with a laugh, “but life goes on — cheers!”
Friendship Beyond Rivalry
Among the loudest supporters were over 100 Beibei fans who arrived early in the afternoon, carrying drums, horns, and two large flags — one reading “Beibei” and another playfully styled “Baby No. 1.” They also unfurled a special banner reading: “Grateful for Shapingba’s help during the mountain fires of Beibei in 2022— Friendship Forever.”
“Our fans never forget the support we received during the 2022 wildfires,” said 54-year-old Beibei supporter Chen Boli. “Football is competitive, but friendship comes first.”
As the rain returned in the second half, fans once again put on ponchos — or defiantly chose not to. Some stood bare-headed in the downpour, waving flags and shouting “Shapingba — Fight On!” Across the field, Beibei supporters responded in kind.
Beibei fans display their banner. (Photo/Jin Xin)
Players, soaked to the skin, continued to sprint and tackle relentlessly. Despite the 0-1 loss, Shapingba fans remained until the final whistle, applauding and calling out “Don’t give up!” and “See you next time!”
What could have been a rain-drenched disaster became a testament to Chongqing’s football spirit — a night when passion triumphed over weather, and the “Yuchao” league proved it has truly won the city’s heart.