With just eight days to go, the Jiangsu Super League is building serious momentum. Star performers are set to light up the stage, backed by major sponsorship from Adidas. The famed “Thirteen Heroes of Jiangsu” will reunite on the pitch, reigniting football excitement across the region.

With just 10 days to go, the 2026 Jiangsu City Football League (“Su Super League”) is set to kick off on April 11 at Changzhou Olympic Sports Center, where Changzhou will host Nantong in the opening match.

This is more than just a season opener—it’s a clash of redemption, identity, and city pride.

Opening Clash: Changzhou vs Nantong

Last season, both teams left strong impressions—though in very different ways.

Nantong dominated the regular season with 10 straight wins, only to fall short in the final via penalties, earning the label of “the strongest runner-up.”
Changzhou, meanwhile, endured a disastrous campaign but became a viral sensation, gaining massive attention despite poor results.

This makes the opener a symbolic battle between “performance” and “popularity.”

Nantong enter the new season with a youthful squad (average age 19.8) and upgraded roster. However, pre-season instability and suspensions raise concerns.

Changzhou remain mysterious but promising, with a recent friendly win and a major highlight: Zhou Shen performing live at the opening ceremony, adding a cultural spectacle to the match.

Format Upgrade: “Football Saturdays”

• Season: April 11 – September 19
• Duration: 22 weeks
• Matches: 78 total
• All games scheduled on Saturdays

This consistent schedule enhances fan engagement and supports sports tourism.

Additional adjustments include:

• Mid-July break for heat
• August rest windows
• Avoiding national exam periods

Teams to Watch

• Suzhou: new head coach, strong potential
• Yangzhou: restructured and culturally driven
• Wuxi: title contender
• Lianyungang & Yancheng: unpredictable
• Suqian vs Nanjing: key early showdown

The competitive landscape remains wide open.

Commercial Boom

The league’s rapid rise is reflected in its commercial success:

• Sponsorship value: ¥202 million
• Adidas major equipment partner
• Average attendance: 28,600

Brands like Nike, Anta, and Li-Ning are also entering the ecosystem.