Three 'red cities' to launch cross-province soccer tournament in 2026

A soccer tournament jointly initiated for the first time by sports authorities from three cities in Guangdong, Hunan, and Jiangxi provinces is set to kick off in early 2026, according to an official from Shaoguan, Guangdong.

The Red Triangle City Football League will be held in Guangzhou's Shaoguan, Jiangxi's Ganzhou, and Hunan's Chenzhou. The tournament is named so because the three neighboring cities are dubbed as red cities on account of their abundant revolutionary heritage. The name is shortened to Red Super League.

The inaugural match is scheduled to take place on Jan 17 in Shaoguan, according to Huang Xuanjian, director of Shaoguan's bureau of culture, radio, television, tourism and sports.

"By introducing the soccer tournament, we aim to create an integrated ecosystem platform that combines sports, culture, tourism, and consumption," said Huang, after a press conference on Shaoguan's development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).

This initiative is also designed to harness collaborative development in the region and transform the energy of sports into a driving force for high-quality development in the three cities, according to Huang.

Attendees can use their tickets for exclusive discounts at designated scenic spots, partner hotels, specialty dining, and souvenir shops in Shaoguan, Ganzhou, and Chenzhou.

The number of tourists visiting Shaoguan is expected to grow by 13 percent in 2025, and tourism revenue is expected to grow by 15 percent, according to Huang.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Shouguan's tourist visits and tourism revenue are projected to achieve double-digit annual growth. The city's cultural and tourism market expanded and improved, with 315 new cultural and tourism projects signed, totaling an investment of 18.526 billion yuan ($2.63 billion).