Twenty-three football teams from various districts and counties in Chengdu completed their group draw on May 7, marking the countdown to the 2026 Jetta Happiness Chengdu Football League (commonly known as the ‘Rong Super League’). Unlike traditional amateur leagues, this citywide grassroots tournament aims to extend the football fever from the pitch into shopping districts, scenic spots, streets, and villages through initiatives like ‘ticket economy,’ ‘second viewing venues,’ and ‘themed routes.’
At the draw ceremony held that afternoon, all 23 participating teams were unveiled, including the ‘Gaoxin Engine Team’ from Chengdu High-tech Zone, the ‘Wuhou Shu Han Team’ from Wuhou District, the ‘Dujiangyan Fulong Team’ from Dujiangyan City, and the ‘Dayi Zilong Team’ from Dayi County. Each team name reflects the unique industrial landmarks, historical heritage, and urban character of its respective region.
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The tournament will run from May to July, featuring 78 matches played on a home-and-away double round-robin basis across all 23 districts and counties. Players include community workers, corporate employees, teachers, programmers, taxi drivers, and students. The league allows some retired professional players, foreign players, and young athletes, with participants aged from 18 to 55.
‘Representing our own area, the first thing is to fight for the honor of Longquanyi,’ said Jia Yu, head coach of the Longquanyi Sunshine Aluminum Team, expressing hope that the event would encourage more people to take up sports and make football a shared activity for all.
For many players, the ‘Rong Super League’ brings not only the matches themselves but also a stronger sense of urban and regional belonging. Ouyang, a player from the Shuangliu Jinyuan Huati Team, noted that competing for one’s hometown is more about passion, and he hopes to perform well on home turf.
Several interviewed players highlighted that the league’s biggest feature is ‘citywide participation.’ Xie Yuheng, a player from the Qingyang Guojin Team, said the tournament ‘incorporates the characteristics of each district,’ while Ouyang added that the scale and atmosphere of the ‘Rong Super League’ are richer than any amateur competition he has experienced.
Beyond the games, the league is integrating football into urban life. Chengdu plans to launch a ‘ticket economy’ covering dining, accommodation, shopping, and cultural tourism. During matches, multiple commercial areas and streets will set up ‘second viewing venues,’ and some businesses can access live broadcast signals for free. Each district will also feature themed markets, intangible cultural heritage displays, and local product exhibitions.
In addition, Chengdu will roll out themed routes involving art, heritage experiences, rural summer retreats, and pet-friendly spots, combining watching football with city tours and nighttime consumption. The opening match, hosted in Dujiangyan, will simultaneously offer intangible cultural heritage, food, and specialty market activities.
The opening game of the ‘Rong Super League’ is scheduled for May 16 at the Dujiangyan Phoenix Sports Stadium.
