Multiple motivations behind the surge of enthusiasm
After three years of silence, the Premier League has seen the return of spectators this season. Restricted by the competition system, most of the matches in the past were played in empty stadiums. However, the resumption of home and away matches this year has galvanized fans. The commissioning of new professional soccer stadiums has become a new attraction for fans.
The figures reveal that Beijing Guoan and Chengdu Rongcheng contributed nearly a quarter of the 4.76 million viewers with a 24.7% share. Tianjin Jinmen Tigers and Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Shenhua also attracted more than 400,000 viewers, together making up the five most popular markets for the 2023 Chinese Super League.
Eight teams, including Dalian Ren and Qingdao Hainiu, have an attendance of more than 220,000, with an average attendance of more than 15,000 per game. Qingdao Youth Football Stadium, for example, even though it is located in the suburbs, has become a popular destination for citizens and tourists on every match day since it was put into operation in April this year. Foreign fan groups have come to watch the game, and this phenomenon is becoming a trend. According to statistics, the stadium has attracted an average of more than 25,000 spectators per day this season.
Song Wenxiu, an 88-year-old veteran fan, has witnessed the ups and downs of Qingdao's soccer market. He has witnessed the old Manatee team's home days in several stadiums, as well as the team's pomp and circumstance when they won the league and FA Cup. Although he can't go to the stadium as often due to his age, he still makes the trip many times, and the stadium is still fresh in his mind.
This year, the stadium has been energized by the addition of new fans, especially young fans and female spectators. Among them are soccer fans, those who accompany their friends and relatives to watch the matches, and even "fan sisters" who idolize the players. They share their experiences through social media, adding more fun to the stadium.
The atmosphere at the stadium was equally energized. Whether it was the uniformed dress code of the fans or the interaction at halftime, the fans' love of soccer was evident. It was like being in a concert while enjoying the game.
It's time to raise the level of competition
The ebbing tide of Golden Resources soccer and the departure of big-name foreign aiders have demanded that the Chinese Super League be further upgraded at the technical and tactical levels. In the AFC Champions League, CSL teams have exposed obvious gaps against opponents such as Japan and South Korea. In order to improve the spectacle of the matches, CSL teams need to speed up the pace of the game and reduce video referee reviews and delaying tactics.
The 2023 season saw a drop in CSL net game time, with a large number of video referee reviews and player delaying tactics taking up too much time. Going forward, look for more clubs to realize a shift in the fast pace of the rivalry and present fans with a higher level of play.
What to expect in the new season
According to the Football Association, the 2024 Chinese Super League season is expected to begin in early March next year. This year's December 5 is the life and death of every team, clubs that fail to submit materials on time will lose their eligibility for the next season. After the 2023 season, most of the clubs already have the conditions to participate in the competition, and we are looking forward to a more exciting Chinese Super League in the new season.
