Drivers, teachers, students fuel China’s grassroots football league

Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the world. While many countries may not shine on the global stage, their local football scenes often tell a different, more vibrant story. One such example is unfolding in China, where a small grassroots league is making a big impact.

The Su Super League, an amateur city-derby tournament in Jiangsu Province, has taken the country by storm. Featuring 13 teams—each representing a different city—the league has drawn a staggering 195,700 fans to its matches, while online viewership has soared into the hundreds of millions. Remarkably, its attendance figures have even surpassed some of China's professional leagues.

What makes the Su Super League truly special is its players. Of the 516 participants, 65% balance football with day jobs. Among them are 85 university students, 69 high school or vocational students, 29 professionals, and 337 amateur players. They work as delivery drivers, programmers, teachers, and more—showing the true spirit of community football.

The league’s popularity is so significant that it paused matches this past weekend in deference to China’s national college entrance exam, the gaokao, which sees over 13.35 million students participate annually.

“In scheduling this season, we intentionally avoided matchdays that coincide with the gaokao, so that our youth can focus on their futures in a peaceful environment,” an organizing committee member told Xinhua, China’s official news outlet.

The Su Super League will resume with its fourth round on June 14 and continue through November.

Beyond football, the tournament has also sparked a tourism boom. During this year’s May Day holiday, Rongjiang authorities recorded over 409,300 tourist visits—a 10.5% increase year-on-year—generating 406 million yuan (approximately 56.48 million USD) in tourism revenue, up 12.8%.

This grassroots phenomenon is proving that the heart of football beats strongest not just in massive stadiums, but also in the streets, fields, and local pitches where communities come together to celebrate the beautiful game.