This photo, taken on August 3, 2025, shows a match between Yancheng and Changzhou in the 2025 Jiangsu Football City League. (Photo/CFP)

The 2025 Jiangsu Football City League (JFCL) has seen a surge in popularity, attracting over 1.1 million spectators across 48 matches by the end of Round 8, an average of more than 23,000 per game. A total of 124 goals have been scored so far this season.

Attendance has grown steadily, with the average per match climbing from 9,582 in Round 2 to 15,000 in Round 3 and 25,000 in Round 4, surpassing that of the Chinese Super League during the same period. From Round 5 to Round 8, the average attendance exceeded 30,000. Notably, a Round 6 match in Nanjing drew 60,396 spectators, setting a record for the highest attendance at a single amateur football match in China.

The current JFCL season features 516 players from diverse backgrounds, including 85 undergraduate and junior college students, and 69 high school and vocational school students. Among the 29 professional players, three are university students and one is high school student. Players range in age from 16 to 40, with an average age of 24.