Experience the true spirit of football in Sanshui District, Foshan!
The 2025 season of the Chinese Champions League (CCL) Sanshui Division will kick off on Saturday, April 12 at 3:00 PM at Yunxiushan Stadium. From April 12 to 21, six top teams will battle it out in Sanshui for a coveted spot in China League Two. This exciting tournament marks the CCL's return to Sanshui following its successful debut in 2023.
The CCL serves as the fourth tier of China's football league system, dedicated to uncovering grassroots talent and developing future professional players. This year's tournament brings together 71 teams from nine regional divisions across the country. The Sanshui Division will run from April 12 to 21, featuring seven competitive teams. Matches will be held at Yunxiushan Stadium (云秀山体育场) and the Jianlibao Football Youth Training Center (健力宝足球青训中心). All matches are free to attend, so fans are welcome to come and enjoy the action up close!
The opening match on April 12 will feature an exciting clash between Guangzhou Lian'ao Sports Club and the Macau U23 representative team. As the 2024 Guangzhou City League champion, Guangzhou Lian'ao earned their place in the CCL with an unbeaten record and are now setting their sights on promotion to China League Two. Adding star power to the squad is Lu Lin, the team's assistant coach and player, who previously represented the Chinese national team and played for Guangzhou Evergrande, Guangzhou R&F, and Meizhou Hakka. A three-time Guangdong Footballer of the Year, Lu brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the field.
The CCL first partnered with Sanshui in 2023, and the district has since proven to be an ideal host, providing top-tier support in areas such as venues, transportation, medical services, security, and accommodations. This strong infrastructure has laid a solid foundation for the tournament's return and continued collaboration in 2025.
The event will be integrated into Sanshui's rich cultural and tourism offerings under the theme "Watch the CCL, Enjoy the Scenery, Savor the Cuisine," aiming to draw football fans from across the country while giving a significant boost to local tourism and cultural experiences.
In recent years, Sanshui District has been dedicated to the high-quality development of football, laying the groundwork for what promises to be a breakthrough year in 2025. With top-tier tournaments scheduled nearly every month, Sanshui is quickly becoming a hotspot for the sport. In addition to hosting the 2025 Chinese Champions League, the district will welcome the Foshan "La Liga" Youth Football League Final on April 26, the seven-a-side football competition—one mass participation event for the 15th National Games on May 23, and the 19th Foshan "La Liga" Football League, kicking off in June.
Tournament Schedule
Reporter | Wu Bixia, Bai Hua
Photo | Wu Bixia
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
