On May 1st, the 2026 Jiangxi Provincial City Football Super League (hereinafter referred to as the “Gan Super League”) commenced with great fervor in Nanchang. Five international students from our university, hailing from Russia, Madagascar, Mexico, and other countries, were invited to the venue to witness this remarkable sports event at close range.

For many of these international students, it was their first-ever live experience of the Gan Super League. Daria, a student from Russia, could scarcely contain her excitement: “We were seated in the second row, so close to the pitch. The sense of authenticity and the visceral impact — these are sensations that no screen can convey.” Her classmate, Chen Bo, described himself as a “fortunate spectator,” adding, “The only goal of the entire match took place right before our eyes — it was an absolutely exhilarating experience.”

The match was contested between the Nanchang team and the Ganzhou team. Prior to the kick-off, an elaborate opening ceremony rich in local cultural characteristics left the international students deeply impressed. Lively dance performances, undulating dragon dances, and brilliant fireworks complemented one another. In particular, the appearance of mascots dressed as Nanchang’s signature local delicacies drew an exclamation of delight from Li Xue, a student from Mexico, who remarked that it was “immensely enjoyable.”

Although Deng Jiaxuan, a student from Madagascar, felt a tinge of disappointment as his favored Nanchang team narrowly lost 0–1, he was nonetheless profoundly moved by the vibrant atmosphere at the stadium. “The result is regrettable, yet the match was exceptionally thrilling. The tense and boisterous ambience left an indelible impression on me,” he stated.

The Gan Super League is not merely a competitive sporting event; it also serves as an extended classroom that facilitates international students’ understanding of Jiangxi’s local customs and their integration into Chinese social life. From the awe evoked by thousands of spectators chanting in unison to the admiration for the athletes’ tenacity and competitive spirit, the international students genuinely experienced the allure of China’s regional sports culture on the green pitch. After the match, still immersed in the afterglow of the event, they eagerly looked forward to another “zero-distance” encounter with Chinese football and Ganpo culture.