Grassroots soccer fever spreads across nation

The Jiangsu Football City League phenomenon has ignited a nationwide wave of popular grassroots soccer leagues this summer, and rekindled supporters' passion for the sport.

Dubbed the "Jiangsu Super League" or "Suchao", the amateur provincial league has been a sensation — both online and in stadiums — loved for its huge crowds, exciting play, lively fan exchanges and viral memes.

Now soccer leagues in Jiangxi, Guangdong, and other provinces are also vying for the national spotlight by focusing on fierce inter-city rivalries, innovative formats, or rebranding existing competitions.

During the fourth round of the 2025 Jiangxi City Football Super League on Aug 2-3, more than 70,000 spectators packed stadiums across Yingtan, Shangrao, and Xinyu, with stands echoing with the roars of proud supporters.

The marquee match on Aug 2, when Yingtan hosted Jiujiang, drew 19,108 spectators. Over 1,100 Jiujiang fans traveled on Jiangxi's first soccer-dedicated high-speed train scheduled for the game.

"It was timely aid," said Huang Ruilu, vice-chairman of the Jiangxi Football Association. "Originally we planned to organize fan buses to Yingtan, but a one-way trip takes four hours. With matches ending around 10 pm, same-day return was nearly impossible. The special train arrived like coal in a snowstorm," he said.

Team chants and slogans reverberated through the train with no fear of disturbing other passengers. Among the fans was a 100-strong cheer squad of relatives and friends of Nie Haotian, a Jiujiang player.

The 22-year-old Renmin University student scored a crucial goal in a prior match against Jingdezhen.

"We've watched him grow up — we're so proud!" said one of Nie's neighbors "Sister Bao". "We were desperate to cheer him on during the match, to cheer for our city. Because Nie represents Jiujiang, all his loved ones have become fans of the Jiujiang team," she said.

Jiujiang triumphed 4-2 over the home side.