Cunchao Photo: VCG

 
Multiple cities in Southwest China's Sichuan Province have started preparations for the regional amateur football league, as the province plans to kick off the Chuanchao league in September.

The long-anticipated Chuanchao, officially named the "Bashu Xiongqi" Sichuan Amateur Football League, is poised to start in September, multiple media outlets from Sichuan have reported. 

The league's regional structure aims to strengthen local engagement, with the men's competition divided into four zones - East, North, West, and South - that encompass 21 cities and prefectures, while the women's division splits into northern and southern zones. 

Originally slated to begin in June, the league's launch was postponed to ensure better preparation and a higher quality experience for participants and spectators. The season is set to run until 2026.

Eligible players must be born on or before December 31, 2009, and hold Sichuan provincial household registration. 

Non-registered applicants must have worked in Sichuan for at least one year, while university students studying in the province may represent any city or prefecture. 

Importantly, any player registered in 2025 with a professional club - spanning the Chinese Super League, China League One, China League Two, Women's Super League, or Women's League One - is barred from competing.

Leshan, a southern Sichuan city known for its Giant Buddha statue and Mountain E'Mei , has also started trials featuring 54 players from over 150 applicants, the city's football association chief Wang Weiping told local media. 

Wei Qun, former captain of legendary but defunct local club Sichuan Quanxing, has been named the head coach of team Luzhou, the city's sports bureau announced earlier in August. The city has also shortlisted 30 players for the maiden Chuanchao season.

Inspired by the Jiangsu City Football League, more popularly known as Suchao, a growing number of regions, including East China's Jiangxi Province and Northwest China's Gansu Province, have also established its own regional amateur league as they aspire not only to nurture grassroots football players but also to inject new energy into local sports culture.