Team leaders for the 2025 Shenzhen Subdistrict Soccer Super League pose for a group photo in Pingshan on Sept. 13. Photos from Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Pingshan District

Nearly 1,500 players from 48 teams will compete in the 2025 Shenzhen Subdistrict Soccer Super League, which will run from Sept. 20 to early December. Matches will be held in Pingshan, Longgang, Futian, and Nanshan districts. The 48 teams come from Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao.

Co-organized by the Shenzhen Municipal Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau and Pingshan District People’s Government, the event began in Pingshan in 2023 as the Shenzhen Subdistrict Soccer Invitational Tournament. Fondly dubbed “Shenzhen Jiechao” (“Shenzhen Subdistrict Super League”) by local fans, it has grown rapidly — from 12 subdistrict teams in 2023 to 32 teams in 2024, which included 16 expat players. Now it has become a signature event for Shenzhen’s sports image.

This year's event will cover more communities, enterprises, and schools; anyone may take part except current professional players. It adopts an international format with 48 teams contesting 104 matches.

Players enter a soccer field before a match in 2024.

Each subdistrict team must include at least 10 residents from its subdistrict, with at least three of those residents required to play in matches, a rule designed to boost grassroots participation. Three elite teams from Hong Kong and Macao will take part, highlighting sports exchanges across the Guangdong‑Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

More than 20 expats are registered this year, reflecting Shenzhen’s inclusiveness; over 40 retired professional players who previously competed in pro leagues will also participate, raising the level of competition.

The super league coincides with the 15th National Games, to be held from Nov. 9 to 21 in the GBA. Shenzhen Municipal Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau will organize a series of tech, sports, and tourism activities citywide.

According to the organizing committee, the “Hundreds of Counties, Thousands of Towns, and Myriads of Villages” Tour Tournament as well as the super league’s all-star final will follow the main competition.