Supporters celebrate victory of Changzhou after the opening match against Nantong of the 2026 Jiangsu Football City League in Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

　　China's grassroots football boom is gathering pace as the "Su Super League" returns, drawing large crowds, attracting major sponsors and turning amateur matches into citywide events. The tournament offers a vivid example of how sport can boost the economy ahead of the World Cup.

　　by sportswriter He Leijing

　　NANJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- As the FIFA World Cup prepares to ignite global football fever this summer, China's "grassroots World Cups" are already stealing a march - stirring hometown pride, packing stadiums and fueling a surge in consumption.

　　The second season of the wildly popular "Su Super League", an amateur football tournament featuring 13 teams representing cities across east China's Jiangsu Province, kicked off on April 11, setting the tone for another fevered campaign.

　　At the opening ceremony in Changzhou, rain did little to dampen spirits. Renowned Chinese singer Zhou Shen delivered the league's theme song, while some 300 robots from local tech firms entertained the crowd with a synchronized dance performance.

　　More than 40,000 spectators packed the stands for the curtain-raiser, underscoring the competition's enduring appeal.

　　This year's season arrives a month earlier than its debut edition and will run through late October, strategically spanning China's two peak holiday periods, the May Day and National Day holidays, when travel and consumer spending traditionally surge.