Core Insights - The "Su Super" phenomenon is rapidly gaining popularity across China, inspiring similar grassroots football events like "Gan Super," "Han Super," and "Chuan Super" [1] - The contrasting reception of "Su Super" and "Liao Super" raises questions among football enthusiasts in Liaoning, a province with a rich football heritage [2] - The success of "Su Super" is attributed to effective media operations and event promotion, which "Liao Super" is currently working to improve [2][3] Group 1: Event Popularity and Engagement - "Su Super" has achieved remarkable metrics, including over 100 million views per match and attendance exceeding 60,000, with 95.9% of attendees spending beyond ticket purchases [2] - The second edition of "Liao Super" is adopting a regional competition format and encouraging free attendance to boost engagement [2] - The involvement of local stories and cultural elements in event coverage has significantly increased viewer interest and participation [3] Group 2: Cultural and Economic Impact - The grassroots football scene in Liaoning has the potential to thrive, but it requires better media and promotional strategies to match the success of "Su Super" [2][5] - The integration of local culture and community involvement in football events has been identified as a key factor for success, fostering a sense of city pride among participants and spectators [3][5] - The economic model surrounding football events, such as ticket discounts and community engagement, is contributing positively to local economies [4][5] Group 3: Professional vs. Grassroots Football - The rise of grassroots events like "Su Super" does not diminish the appeal of professional leagues like the Chinese Super League (CSL), which continues to attract large audiences [4][6] - There is a distinct difference in audience expectations between grassroots and professional football, with the former focusing on entertainment and community engagement, while the latter emphasizes competitive performance [7] - The success of "Su Super" serves as a lesson for professional leagues to innovate in event management and community integration [7][8] Group 4: Future Directions - The development of grassroots football is seen as a long-term endeavor that requires continuous reform and innovation to enhance its cultural and social impact [8] - There are plans to replicate the successful elements of "Liao Super" in other local sports events, indicating a broader trend of leveraging grassroots initiatives for community engagement [8]

Core Viewpoint - The 2025 City Football Invitation Tournament, referred to as "City Super," aims to promote grassroots football and enhance urban development through sports, culture, and tourism [2][6]. Group 1: Event Overview - The tournament kicked off on September 19 at the Guiyang Olympic Sports Center, featuring 16 grassroots teams from 15 cities, including Guiyang, Chongqing, and Beijing, competing in a total of 48 matches over seven days [1][2]. - The participating teams are composed of amateur football enthusiasts from various backgrounds, including government employees, students, and professionals [2][5]. Group 2: Historical Context - The "Village Super" initiative, which gained popularity in 2023, has set a precedent for grassroots football in China, expanding from 20 teams in 2023 to 108 teams in 2025, and has inspired a series of related events [5][9]. - The "Village Super" model has been recognized as a turning point for grassroots football development in China, integrating football with culture and tourism [5]. Group 3: Economic and Cultural Impact - The "City Super" tournament is designed to foster local sports development and promote cultural and tourism exchanges between cities [6][7]. - The event has already seen significant interest, with 16,000 tickets selling out in 15 minutes and over 40,000 attendees at the opening match, indicating strong community engagement [7][8]. Group 4: Future Prospects - The tournament may adopt a rotating hosting model among participating cities in the future, enhancing collaboration and shared experiences [7]. - The event aims to leverage football as a medium to promote cultural exchange and stimulate local economies through various initiatives, including discounted tickets and themed buses [7][9].

Core Viewpoint - The "Su Super" football league has gained significant popularity in a short time, with average attendance increasing from 7,745 to 25,802 in just one month, and social media engagement reaching over 7 billion views on Douyin [1][2]. Sponsorship Expansion - The number of sponsors for the "Su Super" has tripled from the first round to the fourth, with a total of 19 sponsors now involved, indicating a surge in interest and investment in the league [2][3]. - Notable sponsors include major brands like JD.com, Ideal, and Heineken, reflecting the league's growing commercial appeal [3][4]. Sponsorship Dynamics - The exit of "Karma Sports" as an official partner and the entry of "WQK Sports" highlights the competitive nature of sponsorship in the league, with limited slots for official partners [4][5]. - The sponsorship structure includes various levels, with the most significant increase seen in the "official strategic partner" category, which added six new sponsors [5][6]. Local vs. Non-local Sponsorship - While "Karma Sports" has been a long-time sponsor, its departure in favor of a local company underscores the preference for local representation in sponsorship roles [8][9]. - The league's sponsorship landscape shows a mix of local and non-local companies, with many sponsors having ties to Jiangsu, enhancing the regional connection [11][12]. Economic Impact and Pricing - The price for official sponsorship has surged to 3 million RMB, a significant increase from the initial total season sponsorship of 8 million RMB by Jiangsu Bank [10]. - Comparatively, the sponsorship costs for "Su Super" are much lower than those for the Chinese Super League, indicating a potential for growth in sponsorship revenue as the league gains popularity [10][11]. Cultural and Regional Significance - The league's success is attributed to its integration of local culture and humor, which resonates with audiences and enhances viewer engagement [14][17]. - The competitive nature of local brands and the emphasis on regional identity contribute to the league's unique appeal, distinguishing it from other regional leagues [18][19].