Since autumn settled in, Xinjiang has been swept up in a non-stop football carnival. From the “Ili Village Super League” to the “Urumqi Super League” in the regional capital，and to the “Artux Cup” invitational, green pitches across the vast region have become stages for one spectacle after another. Inside and outside the stadiums, people of every ethnic group gather for the love of football; cheers and chants weave together, capturing a passion unique to the lands south and north of the Tianshan Mountains and allowing the “super” power of the game to keep spreading.

Playing Football becomes a way of life

The football fields of Xinjiang are filled with boundless enthusiasm for the sport from people of all ethnic backgrounds. On match days, players from all walks of life temporarily set aside the demands of work and daily life, don their jerseys and boots, and unleash their passion on the field. Middle-aged professionals carve out time to fulfill childhood dreams, teachers step away from the classroom to exchange textbooks for kits, and delivery riders rush to the pitch after their last drop-off. Though their identities vary, they unite for football, with "playing for passion" as their shared goal.

Photo shows players participate in the 2025 Xinjiang "Artux Cup" Football Invitational. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Song Haibo)

The stands are always a sea of excitement, bringing together spectators of all ages and backgrounds to form a unique spectacle. The “Artux Cup” matches have been packed to capacity, with die-hard fans cheering on their teams with the loudest shouts and applause. A viral short video even showed a devoted fan attending a match while hooked to an IV drip, perfectly capturing the depth of their love for the game. Participating by all people, football has become a popular choice transcending age and profession, laying the strongest possible foundation for the robust growth of football in Xinjiang.

Football events empower cities with deep integration of culture and tourism

The collision of football passion and cultural tourism resources has unleashed strong developmental energy through the "event economy." Take the “Artux Cup” as an example, as of November 18, the event attracted an average of over 8,000 spectators daily, with online buzz continuously rising — videos related to the tournament amassed more than 800 million views across platforms. Catering, accommodation, and local specialty sales around the venues also saw a significant uptick. Regional delicacies "broke through" thanks to the event, with many vendors reporting daily sales exceeding 100,000 yuan (about 14,100 U.S. dollars). This has achieved a two-way empowerment of sports events and the local economy, extending the value of football from the field into various sectors of economic development.

Photo taken on October 19, 2025 shows players participate in the “Urumqi Super League”. (Photo from Xinjiang Daily)

The events have also spurred a new consumption trend: "spectating + tourism." After watching intense matches, visitors can explore scenic spots, wander through markets, and deeply experience the local natural landscapes and ethnic culture. The “Urumqi Super League” boosted visitor numbers to destinations like the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar and Hongshan Park; the “Changji Village Super League” made grassland camping a popular nearby activity; and the “Kashi Cup” matches drew more attention to the desert scenic areas of Yopurga County… Football acts as an invisible thread, linking the playing field to scenic spots, business districts, and rural areas, creating an effect of "one event energizing a whole city." Meanwhile, prefectures and cities in Xinjiang have launched football-themed study tours and cultural experience packages, further refining the integrated "sports + culture and tourism" model and injecting sustained momentum into regional development.

Football strengthens connections among people from different groups

Football events serve as a bond for interaction, exchange, and integration among all ethnic groups—a connection felt everywhere during the games. On the field, players of different ethnicities fight side by side, their tacit understanding in exchanged glances. Cheers for goals and encouragement after mistakes deepen mutual understanding forged through shared struggle. In the stands, spectators of all ethnicities wave flags and chant in unison, their voices merging into one. Sharing reactions and emotions, strangers bond through laughter and shared experiences.

Photo shows football fans watch a football game at the Football Park in Artux City, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Song Haibo)

Looking back at the development of football in Xinjiang, football has always been the a “medium”. From county-level tournaments to region-wide leagues, football has connected people of all ethnic groups, making "joining forces and striving together" the norm. These events break down barriers of geography and identity, evolving from "village football" to "city tournaments" and escalating into a "region-wide celebration," gradually fostering an open, inclusive, and collaborative social atmosphere. In this process, the sentiments of "loving football, loving hometown, loving the motherland" continue to deepen, with each match becoming a vivid practice of strengthening the sense of community for the Chinese nation.

The "super" power of Xinjiang football lies not in exceptional skills or dazzling results, but within the people of different ages and professions who gather for football and march forward together driven by passion. On this vibrant land, football not only warms the hearts of those who love life but also injects fresh vitality into urban and rural development, ensuring that the excitement and dynamism of Xinjiang endure on its green fields.

（Source：Xiao Jiang You Hua Shuo/ Yu Jian）