Suchao reimagines soccer for a new generation

Like a green shoot sprouting in the desert or a breeze cutting through the midsummer heat, the Jiangsu Football City League has brought back the pure and simple joy of soccer to city streets and rural fields alike.

Across generations and genders, people are rediscovering the game — not just for its competitive thrill, but for the communal delight it inspires.

At its heart, Suchao is about fun. By shedding the pressure of high-stakes competition, it returns the sport to its essence: a shared celebration of energy, connection, and play. The league's grassroots spirit, sense of humor, and savvy use of social media resonate strongly with young audiences.

Online challenges like "song duels" and "writing letters home "have gone viral. For example, Yangzhou's team posted a heartfelt letter to Taizhou, while Suzhou released a video using the song A Lian to playfully call out Lianyungang. The Lianyungang team replied affectionately, calling Suzhou "A Su".

These playful interactions on social media perfectly reflect how today's youth connect and communicate.

The appeal of Suchao runs deeper than just digital buzz. Its locally rooted, community-first model has given young people a sense of purpose and belonging. The league doesn't just welcome amateurs — it celebrates them. During the day, players may be construction workers, teachers, or office clerks. But on the pitch, they become stars of their own stories.

Here, everyone gets a chance to shine. While winning still matters, what's valued most is participation and sportsmanship. The games are open, creative, and free-flowing — echoing the inclusive, unbounded spirit of Generation Z. Soccer has become more than a sport. It's a lifestyle, a performance, and a shared language.

This inclusive spirit is made possible by Jiangsu's strong economic foundation — something locals proudly point to when they say, "Every city here has its own Olympic Sports Center."

Freed from the pressure of commercialization, soccer has returned to its youthful, playful roots. For many, it's become an emotional anchor and a personal escape — as beloved and familiar as childhood icons like SpongeBob or Labubu. It carries frustration and joy, memories and meaning.

Suchao has also grown into a cultural event. The league's stadiums are now lively hubs where local food, agricultural products, and regional tourism all come together.

Tickets are ultra-affordable — sometimes just 10 yuan ($1.40) — making the matches accessible to everyone. Special transport routes have even been set up to bring in spectators from other provinces, fueling a new kind of "event economy" that combines sports, culture, and travel. Stadiums have also become weekend destinations for families, sparking children's curiosity and inspiring the next generation of players.

In many ways, Suchao is sowing the seeds for the future of Chinese soccer — from the ground up. It starts at the grassroots, builds passion from childhood, and gathers strength through community.

Who knows? Maybe one day, the captain of China's national team will be someone who used to deliver takeout — and once scored a stunning goal under the floodlights after a long day's work.

Written by Sun Yixue, dean of the International School at Tongji University in Shanghai. His research focuses on comparative literature, world literature, and the international dissemination of Chinese culture. He has conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Edinburgh in the UK and has been a senior visiting scholar at the University of Virginia and Arizona State University in the US.

The 2025 Jiangsu Football City League — affectionately known as Suchao — has swept across the province and ignited enthusiasm nationwide. Each of the province's 13 cities has formed a representative team named after their hometown, with the league running from May to November.

What began as a regional competition has become a rallying point for civic pride, public excitement, and a renewed love of soccer, especially among young people.