The 2025 Jiangsu Football City League, fans dubbed it as "Suchao" or "Jiangsu Super League", made up of 13 teams representing each city in Jiangsu. Of the 516 players, only 29 are professional players, with many of the others being amateurs from students to young professionals.
"Suchao" could be an effective way to stimulate the economy, by driving consumption in beer, barbecue, hotels, etc. "Airlines and hotel bookings are up considerably from last year, as are visits to local tourist sites and restaurants. Beer sales on one delivery platform have risen by 90% month on month in Jiangsu since the league launched," The Economist magazine reported.
Importantly, Suchao is truly inclusive. It welcomes players and fans of all ages and skill levels, making soccer accessible once again to neighborhoods and classrooms. This broad appeal is reshaping how the sport is experienced and appreciated in China.
Suchao represents more than a passing fad — it's a movement. It reveals how soccer can flourish when freed from pretense and returned to its fans, inspiring real cultural, emotional, and economic benefits. Perhaps this grassroots revolution is exactly the revitalizing spark Chinese soccer has long awaited.
From the "Village Super League" in Guizhou to the "Super League" in Jiangsu, the flourishing development of local football leagues in China not only restores the genuine joy of this sport, but also shows a vibrant and passionate China to the world!