Chongqing - In a historic triumph for Chinese football, the Chongqing Tonglianglong Football Club has earned promotion to the Chinese Football Super League (CSL), marking the city's return to the country's top division after 1,265 days. The club's meteoric rise - from the fourth-tier Chinese Football Association Member Association Champions League (CMCL) to the CSL in just four years - has reignited passion across the mountain city and reaffirmed Chongqing's deep-rooted football identity.

Tonglianglong players run to celebrate after scoring a home goal. (Photo/Qi Lansen)

A Legacy Rekindled

Football culture in Chongqing dates back more than a century. In 1905, the first standard pitch in Western China was built at Friends High School under British headmaster Alfred Davidson. Decades later, the iconic Datianwan Stadium - China's first top-class sports venue with international-standard turf - opened in 1956, quickly becoming a symbol of the city's sporting spirit.

The newly completed Datianwan Stadium in 1956. (Photo/Yuzhong Release)

The professional era saw Chongqing clubs such as Yuhai, Jialing, and Hongyan emerge in the 1990s. A defining moment arrived in 2000, when Chongqing Longxin lifted the Chinese Football Association Cup (CFA Cup), bringing a first major national trophy to Western China.

But the path has not always been smooth. On May 24, 2022, top-flight football in the city suffered a major blow as Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic Football Club withdrew from the CSL and ceased operations. Hope, however, was not lost. In December 2021, the Chongqing Tonglianglong were formed, built around the core of the city's U-18 silver medal-winning squad from the 14th National Games of the People's Republic of China.

Chongqing Longxin won the Chinese Football Association Cup in 2000. (Photo/CQCB News)

Rapid Ascent

The Tonglianglong quickly became one of the country's most exciting football stories. After finishing as runners-up in the CMCL in 2022, they clinched the Chinese Football League 2 title in 2023 and followed it with a strong fifth-place finish in their debut at Chinese Football League 1 a year later. Their attacking, youth-focused philosophy - led by captain Xiang Yuwang and seasoned campaigners like Huang Xiyang - has won admiration across the leagues.

Fans cheer enthusiastically during a match at Tonglianglong Stadium. (Photo/Qi Lansen)

Off the pitch, systemic reforms have bolstered the club's progress. Chongqing was named one of China's first “Key Football Development Cities” during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. A robust youth training system now supplies talent to national squads, with more than 30 local players selected for youth national teams in 2024 alone.

More Than a Game

The club's success has resonated across the city. Tickets for the 2025 Chongqing Football League (CQFL) opener sold out within seconds, and the familiar cry of "Xiong Qi!" ("Rise Up!") - once the heartbeat of Datianwan Stadium - now echoes in Tonglianglong Stadium.

With over 3,200 football fields citywide and nearly 1,500 amateur matches organized annually, Chongqing's grassroots football scene continues to thrive. The Tonglianglong promotion also aligns with broader sporting ambitions: the city recently hosted the FIFA Club World Cup trophy tour and is bidding to host 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 trophy made its debut in China, drawing many Chongqing residents to see it. (Photo/Zheng Yu)

Looking Ahead

Backed by a capital injection that has raised registered capital to $35 million, the club is well-positioned for its top-flight return. As one of China's flagship football cities, Chongqing aims to further integrate sports with urban development, promoting a culture of health and teamwork.

Players from the girls' football team of Sanhe Primary School in Shizhu, Chongqing, compete fiercely on the pitch. (Photo/Long Fan)

The city spirit of "Resilience, Valiance, Openness, Pioneering" remains at the heart of Chongqing's football revival. With a new season on the horizon, the message across the city is clear: Chongqing football is rising again.