Jinan is rapidly emerging as a powerhouse of grassroots and youth football in China, combining top-level educational reforms with vibrant community engagement. At a provincial press conference on September 12, officials announced that the city now hosts 295 nationally recognized “Campus Football Specialty Schools,” the highest number in Shandong Province. This milestone reflects Jinan’s success as a national pilot zone for comprehensive youth football reform and talent development.
According to Li Yan, Deputy Director of the Jinan Municipal Education Bureau, the city has advanced reform through three pillars: strategic planning, innovative practice, and integrated support. Jinan has issued detailed reform roadmaps covering areas from talent cultivation and teacher training to infrastructure, finance, and international exchanges. A key initiative is the “6-3-1” talent pipeline, linking six primary schools, three middle schools, and one high school in each of 11 selected pathways across three pilot districts, ensuring a continuous training system from childhood to adolescence.
Jinan has also pioneered the “Most Beautiful Home Field” model, where over 3,000 events have engaged more than 2 million student participants since 2024. Weekly home-and-away matches, both on campus and in the community, ensure “every school has a team, every week has a match, and everyone participates.” This approach has already produced results: 12 Jinan teams competed in the National Youth Football League this year, with the Licheng No. 2 Middle School girls’ team clinching their third consecutive national title.
Beyond schools, Jinan is embracing the nationwide grassroots football boom with the launch of the 2025 Jinan Community Football Super League (Jinan Shechao). Inspired by Guizhou’s “Village Super League” and Jiangsu’s “County Super League,” the event will run from September to November, featuring 64 community-based teams across dozens of neighborhoods. Organized by the Jinan Sports Bureau and Jinan Daily Media Group, the “Shechao” is expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators onsite and millions more online, creating a city-wide football carnival.
The grassroots drive complements major infrastructure projects such as the Yellow River Sports Center, where Shandong’s first 60,000-seat professional football stadium is under construction and slated for completion in 2026. The facility will be capable of hosting both domestic and international tournaments, strengthening Jinan’s position as a hub for high-level competition.
Professional football remains a source of pride for the city as well. Shandong Taishan F.C., based in Jinan, is one of the most decorated clubs in Chinese football history, while Jinan Xingzhou F.C.—though having exited professional leagues in 2024—helped spotlight the city’s growing football culture.
Jinan’s efforts are also backed by Shandong’s broader reforms. Provincial authorities report that all 2,817 campus football specialty schools in Shandong are now staffed with certified coaches or professional football teachers. New initiatives include hiring retired players, expanding training programs, and sending coaches abroad for development. By 2030, Shandong plans to build a province-wide network of youth training centers to secure a steady talent pipeline.
“Football is no longer confined to the pitch—it has become part of our city’s cultural identity,” Li Yan said. “By linking schools, families, and communities, Jinan is building a sustainable football ecosystem that benefits youth development, social cohesion, and urban vitality.”
With its blend of structured school programs, mass-participation community leagues, professional club heritage, and modern stadium infrastructure, Jinan is positioning itself not only as Shandong’s football capital but also as a model for China’s football renaissance.