How to Attend the Viral 'Cunchao' Village Super League in Guizhou
A complete travel guide to the Village Super League (Cunchao) in Rongjiang, Guizhou. Discover the schedule, cultural festivities, and amateur football matches.
TL;DR: Based on event guidelines from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, travelers can experience the viral Village Super League (村超 - Cūnchāo) in Rongjiang County (榕江县), Guizhou province. Running from mid-May through late July, this free community football event combines amateur sports with ethnic music and food. You can easily travel there by booking high-speed train tickets on Railway 12306 and paying for local market food with Alipay or WeChat.
If you are looking for the Village Super League schedule, this viral amateur football tournament runs every summer from mid-May through late July. Known locally as “Cunchao” (村超 - Cūnchāo), the event takes place in Rongjiang County (榕江县 - Róngjiāng Xiàn) in Guizhou province.
This guide explains what the tournament is, what makes its cultural celebrations so special, and how you can easily visit Rongjiang to join the crowd.
1. What is the “Cunchao” Village Super League?
The Village Super League (VSL) is a completely amateur, community-led football tournament played by local villagers in Rongjiang County. Despite being non-professional, it has become a massive internet trend across China due to its festive carnival atmosphere, local food stalls, and traditional ethnic music and dance performances.
The tournament has driven massive domestic travel and broken social media records:
| Event Metric | Key Highlights & Local Impact |
|---|---|
| Social Media Views | Over 30 billion online views across platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douyin during the tournament season. |
| Visitor Numbers | Welcomed more than 1 million visitors in a single month during peak tournament days. |
| Local Economic Boost | Generated over 1.24 billion yuan in local tourism income for small businesses, hotels, and markets. |
INFO
What does “Cunchao” mean? “Cunchao” (村超) is the viral nickname created by Chinese social media users. “Cun” (村) means village, and “chao” (超) is short for super league.
2. Tournament Schedule and Key Details
If you want to attend a live match, planning your trip around the game dates is essential. Because all players are everyday local residents—such as farmers, teachers, drivers, and shopkeepers—matches are held on weekends during the summer.
| Category | Details & Travel Logistics |
|---|---|
| Location | Rongjiang County (榕江县 - Róngjiāng Xiàn), Qiandongnan Prefecture, Guizhou Province (贵州) |
| Season Duration | Mid-May through late July |
| Opening Kickoff | Mid-May (matches typically played Friday through Sunday) |
| Finals & Closing | Late July (championship match and cultural awards ceremony) |
| Ticket Cost | Free entry for all visitors (seating is first-come, first-served) |
3. Experiencing the Match-Day Atmosphere
Visiting Rongjiang County for a Cunchao match feels more like a big cultural festival than a standard sports game. The entire stadium and surrounding streets fill with local food vendors, music, and community celebrations.
- Ethnic Performances: Before matches and during halftime, local Miao, Dong, and other ethnic minority groups perform traditional folk songs and dances in full traditional clothing.
- Local Food Markets: Outside the stadium, vendors sell delicious regional snacks, grilled meats, and local Guizhou specialties.
- Friendly Community Vibe: Because the players live in the surrounding villages, fans cheer enthusiastically, create custom chants, and share food with travelers in the stands.
TIP
Arrive Early for Good Seats: Entry to the stadium is completely free, so seats fill up very fast. Plan to arrive 2 to 3 hours before kickoff to secure a seat and explore the cultural market outside the stadium.
4. Easy Step-by-Step Travel Checklist
Follow these simple steps to plan your trip to the next Cunchao tournament:
- Book High-Speed Rail Tickets: Take a high-speed train directly to Rongjiang Railway Station (榕江站). You can easily reserve seats online using the official Railway 12306 app or web portal.
- Book Hotels in Advance: Hotel rooms in Rongjiang County book out weeks ahead during match weekends. Reserve your stay early on travel platforms like Trip.com.
- Set Up Payment Apps: Set up Alipay or WeChat on your smartphone with your passport so you can easily pay for snacks, taxis, and shopping at local markets.
- Pack for Summer Weather: Guizhou summers can be warm and rainy. Bring light clothes, comfortable walking shoes, and an umbrella or raincoat.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is Cunchao held?
Cunchao is held at the county sports center stadium in Rongjiang County (榕江县), located in Guizhou Province, southwest China.
Do I need to buy tickets to watch Cunchao matches?
No. Entrance to the Village Super League stadium is completely free for all local residents and international visitors.
How do I get to Rongjiang County?
The easiest way is by high-speed train. Rongjiang has its own train station (Rongjiang Station - 榕江站), which connects directly to major transit hubs like Guiyang, Guangzhou, and Chengdu.
Need Help Planning Your Travel in China? Contact Our Experts
Related Posts
EaziPath Editorial Staff
•Feb 1, 2025
EaziPath Editorial Staff
•Mar 5, 2024
EaziPath Editorial Staff
•Jan 14, 2025