Football Fever in Chongqing: Inaugural City League Final Draws Record-Breaking Crowd

Chongqing - On April 12, the 2025 Xin'oupeng Chongqing Football City League, dubbed the "Yu-League (Yúchāo)," concluded its historic eight-month campaign tonight at the Chongqing Olympic Sports Center, as Liangjiang Linkong FC defeated Jiangjin Runtong Power FC 2-1 to claim the inaugural championship. The final drew a staggering crowd of 54,260 spectators, setting a new attendance record for both the venue and amateur football in the city.

The champion team, Liangjiang Linkong FC, raised their cup (Photo: Event organizer)

The match was a tense affair from the first whistle. While Jiangjin applied early pressure, Liangjiang's defense held firm. The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when Liangjiang's Xie Jie pounced on a rebound from a free kick to score with his left foot. Just five minutes into the second half, Xie Jie doubled the lead, capitalizing on a defensive error by Jiangjin's Li Yuyang to head the ball into the net.

Jiangjin refused to give up, and a powerful header from Chen Yinjie in the 63rd minute brought the score to 2-1, reigniting the contest. However, Liangjiang's renowned defense, which had conceded only three goals all season, withstood the final assault to secure the victory.

The finale is a hard battle for both teams (Photo: Event organizer)

The final was more than just a football match; it was a city-wide celebration. The stadium atmosphere was electric, fueled by passionate supporters from both sides. Pre-match entertainment included a spectacular show with 2,000 drones, a performance by the global street dance champion Qiuqiu alongside robots, and a moving song by the "Yinghe Project" band from Yunyang County's special education school.

Chongqing football fans (Photo: Event organizer)

Liangjiang's head coach, Wang Xiang, praised his team's collective effort. "Winning the title undefeated is the result of the hard work of every player, coach, and staff member," he said. "Yu Chao is the best stage for grassroots football, and we will continue to develop local talent for Chongqing."