On August 23, 2025, the main competition of the 2025 Guangdong Super League kicked off at the Greater Bay Area Culture and Sports Center in Nansha District, Guangzhou.
Greater Bay Area Culture and Sports Center. (Photo provided by event organizer)
The opening ceremony turned into a carnival of football for all, attracting 25,000 fans. At the pre-opening fan carnival, supporters from across the region enjoyed the sea views while participating in football games. Mr. Huo, a local Nansha resident, brought his family of six to watch the carnival. As a fan of Europe's top five leagues, he admitted it was his first time attending an amateur match live but expressed great enjoyment of the stadium atmosphere.
The opening ceremony also showcased a convergence of sports, technology, and culture. The most stunning performance featured the traditional Lingnan Lion Dance and martial arts masters alongside Lenovo's robotic lion.
The opening match saw the host team, Nansha Bay Area Youth, face off against Wuchuan Youth. Most players of the Wuchuan Youth team are reserve players from various professional clubs within the province, which contributed to their stronger overall performance. They ultimately won 3-0, converting two penalty kicks (one in each half) and scoring on a counterattack in the final moments.
Timothy Fok, who attended the opening and kick-off ceremonies, described the modern sports facilities at the Greater Bay Area Culture and Sports Center as "stunning." Having previously witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony for the center, Fok found its completion within such a short time "unimaginable." He expressed hope that Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao could leverage the hosting of the 15th National Games to promote deeper exchanges and integration of sports within the Greater Bay Area. He also wished for the Greater Bay Area Culture and Sports Center in Nansha to host more high-profile international mega-sports events in the future.
Reporter: Shen Chongguang
Photo provided by event organizer
Editor: Wei Shen, James Campion, Shen He
