China’s Cun Chao football tournament draws 551 international players to rural Guizhou, as the grassroots event expands its overseas reach.
A rural football tournament in southwest China has taken on an increasingly international flavour, with 551 players from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America gathering in Rongjiang County, Guizhou Province, during the National Day holiday.
The third edition of the Cun Chao International Football Tournament opened on Oct. 1st in Rongjiang, the birthplace of China’s popular “Cun Chao,” or Village Super League.
According to Guizhou Radio TV Station, the tournament includes both a cup competition and friendly matches. The cup competition features 32 matches, with teams advancing from the group stage to the knockout rounds.
From Village Football to an International Event
Cun Chao first gained widespread attention in 2023, when amateur football matches in Rongjiang drew large crowds and attracted viewers online.
The tournament is known for bringing together amateur players from different walks of life. Matches are accompanied by local cultural performances, including ethnic singing and dancing. Visitors can also sample local food such as glutinous rice and pickled fish.
Winning teams can receive local agricultural products rather than traditional sporting prizes, adding a distinctly rural touch to the competition.
The tournament has since attracted players from more than 60 countries and regions. More than 1,800 international players have visited Rongjiang for football exchanges and competitions, according to the report.
Cun Chao Goes Overseas
The tournament’s international reach took another step on Oct. 5th, when Guizhou Village Super League Sports Industry Co., Ltd. signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Malaysia’s Namhor Academy in Rongjiang.
Malaysia has become the first overseas division of Cun Chao, according to Tianyan News, a news platform operated by the Guizhou Daily.
Under the agreement, the two sides will establish international communication sites and arrange exchanges between teams. They also plan to hold regular Cun Chao events in Malaysia.
The cooperation will also cover youth football training. Coaches from the two sides will exchange visits and provide training and practical instruction.
Why Cun Chao Has Attracted Attention
Dr YIP Tak Ping, a senior lecturer at The Education University of Hong Kong, said Cun Chao’s appeal comes partly from its grassroots nature.
Unlike major professional tournaments, Cun Chao gives amateur players from different professions a chance to compete. The tournament also combines football with local culture, food and community activities.
YIP said this combination gives football fans a sporting experience while offering other visitors opportunities to explore local culture.
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