In 2025, China's football consciousness was awakened by a most unlikely source: the Jiangsu Football City League, or "Suchao" — a grassroots phenomenon that has done more to reinvigorate the nation's soccer culture than any other football project in decades.

The success of the "Suchao" league is the result of multiple factors working together, ranging from policy support to economic backing, from widespread participation to player quality, and from social media engagement to driving urban cultural and tourism consumption. Together, these factors have formed a solid foundation for the popularity of the "Suchao" league.

First and foremost is the support at the governmental level. The provincial football super league, organized by the Jiangsu provincial sports bureau, has received strong backing from the Jiangsu provincial government. This support has provided a solid policy foundation for the success of "Suchao".

Second, in terms of economic support and venue development, the robust economic strength of the 13 cities in Jiangsu province has provided substantial resources for hosting the event. For example, the utilization of high-quality and high-standard sports venues such as the Wutaishan Stadium in Nanjing and the Olympic Sports Center in Xuzhou has greatly enhanced the viewing experience for both players and fans.

More importantly, the humanistic factors of the "Suchao" league are crucial. Guided by the principle of "universal participation + city honor", each of the 13 cities in Jiangsu province has formed representative teams named after their respective cities, igniting a sense of regional pride and public enthusiasm. This innovative model is one of the key reasons for the league's success, as it has not only promoted football and public fitness but also fostered deep cultural integration within the cities.

Football culture has come to reflect the passion of the people of Jiangsu and their strong sense of pride in city honor, showcasing the inclusivity and popularity of the sport. Football has become a new vehicle for promoting urban culture and uniting public consensus. During matches, the clashes between different city teams are, in fact, a form of exchange and collision of various city cultures. This exchange helps enhance understanding and friendship between cities, while also contributing to the preservation and promotion of football culture.

In terms of player quality and the entertainment value of matches, the "Suchao" league has attracted a diverse range of participants, including professional players, university students, high school students, and amateur players. Their outstanding performances ensure the entertainment value of the matches and also demonstrate the deep heritage and wide talent base of football in Jiangsu.

The popularity of the "Suchao" league is also indebted to the off-field support of social media and cultural promotion. Various creatively crafted slogans and reworked cultural tags have been widely disseminated on social platforms, significantly increasing the visibility and influence of the event.

The "Suchao" league is not just a football extravaganza but also a platform for cultural and tourism exchange between cities, as well as a showcase of the football culture of each city within Jiangsu province. Through the event, participating cities showcase their urban image, drive cultural and tourism resource consumption, and establish a positive cycle of interaction. It embodies various cultural connotations such as universal participation, regional identity, professional operation, commercial value, sportsmanship and cultural exchange, injecting new vitality into the development of football and culture in Jiangsu province and even across the nation.

The author is a lecturer at the Chinese Football College, Beijing Sport University. 

The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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