Why amateur football leagues are booming in China

Videos of English football legend Michael Owen having soup, carrying baskets of lychees and dining at an eatery in south China's Guangzhou have gone viral on Chinese social media platforms. Owen was in the city to attend a game of Yuechao, or the Guangdong City Football Super League, the latest regional amateur football league in China to have captured the attention of fans. From Guizhou's Cunchao (Village Super League) to Jiangsu's Suchao (Jiangsu Football City League), these amateur leagues are much more than just football – they help communities promote their local culture while boosting tourism and consumption.

📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel and stay updated with our latest analysis and interviews:👇 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgrNz-aDmcr2uuto8_DL2jg 👈

Download our APP on Apple Store (iOS): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cctvnews-app/id922456579?l=zh&ls=1&mt=8 Download our APP on Google Play (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.imib.cctv

For more: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-06-17/Why-amateur-football-leagues-are-booming-in-China-1O3hQ55TWeY/p.html

Most watched videos: Impossible Challenge: 30 seconds to count banknotes BLINDFOLDED https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmP_Ybj-jws Impossible Challenge: Gymnastics Boy Arat Hosseini from Iran! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sxX--U4c8w Impossible Challenge: How to calm babies in 5 seconds? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR3q9sXM7WA