Dubbed the “Su Super League,” Jiangsu Province’s municipal football tournament has unexpectedly become China’s latest sports phenomenon, drawing larger crowds than many professional leagues. The competition between Jiangsu’s thirteen cities – affectionately called the “Thirteen Guardians” – has attracted over 180,000 spectators since its May 10 kickoff, with single matches regularly drawing 15,000+ fans.
The June 1 Nanjing versus Wuxi match exemplified the tournament’s appeal. Despite rainy conditions, 15,669 fans packed Nanjing’s Wutaishan Sports Center, including multigenerational families with children in raincoats. The match began explosively with Nanjing scoring within 90 seconds, while Wuxi’s outnumbered traveling supporters maintained spirited cheers throughout – clearing their stands of trash afterward in a display of civic pride.
What truly sets the tournament apart is its cultural playfulness. Cities have embraced humorous rivalries through viral slogans like “Flat Peach Hill (Nanjing), then eat honey peaches (Wuxi)” and “Wuxi’s honey peaches will kick your ‘duck’ (Nanjing’s salted duck emblem).” Official accounts lean into the banter, with pre-match posters teasing “Losing means salted peaches, winning means sweetened duck.”
Historical narratives add depth: Xuzhou (Liu Bang’s hometown) versus Suqian (Xiang Yu’s homeland) refights ancient rivalries, while Yangzhou’s “fried rice is staple food” taunts Yizheng’s “pickled radish is just a side dish.” This organic meme culture has propelled the amateur league into national trending topics.
The tournament’s success mirrors Guizhou’s viral “Village Super League,” revealing a public appetite for authentic, community-driven sports experiences. With average attendance surpassing 10,000 per match – eclipsing many professional leagues – the phenomenon demonstrates how localized passion, cultural identity, and digital engagement can revitalize sports culture from the ground up.
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