Photo: VCG

Clad in their team colors and waving scarves, nearly 400 supporters of Chinese Super League club Shanghai Port boarded a dedicated high-speed train to Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, for the 2026 Chinese FA Super Cup final match on Sunday. By extending the emotional arc of the football event from stadium stands to station halls and train carriages, the railway demonstrated that public infrastructure can not only transport passengers but shape experiences.

As Chinese football's new season curtain raiser, this year's Super Cup pitted the league champion Shanghai Port against FA Cup winner Beijing Guoan on neutral ground in Nanjing. Beijing lifted the third Super Cup title in the club's history thanks to goals from Dawhan and Cao Yongjing in each half.

The journey to the pitch became part of the spectacle for fans of the clubs. The railway operators had coordinated with both clubs to launch the special fan train. It was also the first fan train of the year in the Yangtze River Delta region, linking Shanghai and Nanjing with more than steel tracks.

The highlight of the fan train service lies in transforming traditional passenger carriages into vibrant, high-energy cultural spaces for supporters with themed posters and design, allowing fans to remain immersed in the electrifying atmosphere of the match throughout their entire journey.

Through scenario-based and themed service design, the project has created a full-chain experience for supporters, turning the speeding train into a warm bond that connects cities, unites fans, and carries shared feelings, Liu Yu, a Beijing-based sport commentator, told the Global Times. 

The magic of sports lies in belonging. What this fan-dedicated train did was extend that sense of belonging beyond the stadium and onto the railway, said Liu. 

A longtime supporter surnamed Ding from Shanghai could hardly contain his excitement: "I've been a fan for many years. In the past, when I traveled to other cities to watch games, I usually drove myself - it was tiring and stressful. This time, the atmosphere in the carriage was fantastic. We chatted about football and chanted songs with friends all the way. It was truly joyful and especially memorable," Ding told the CCTV News. 

When hundreds of fans dressed in the same jerseys, chanting the same slogans, fill an entire high-speed train carriage, the hours-long journey becomes part of the game. 

Equally noteworthy is what this reveals about the evolving role of China's railways. For years, rail operators were defined primarily as transportation providers: punctuality, capacity, logistics. Yet the fan train suggests a broader transformation, from transport provider to lifestyle architect.

By arranging seamless round-trip services and dedicated waiting rooms, the railway ensured that "watching the game + traveling" functioned as a single, uninterrupted experience.

The railway operators rolled out a series of thoughtful measures to enhance the travel experience. A dedicated green channel expedited entry. A football-themed waiting lounge featured Super Cup signage, with looping promotional videos, and organized group photo sessions to capture the excitement before departure. 

These small details together reflect a profound shift: public service delivered with thoughtful practices. By capturing market demand, whether for football matches, concerts, or festivals, the railway is embedding itself into the rhythms of contemporary lifestyle.

Traveling to another city for a single show has become a lifestyle choice among young people as well. However, one persistent pain point remains: performances often end late at night, and return transportation can be inconvenient. 

In October, six fan trains were added for attendees leaving a concert in East China's Fujian Province, departing from Fuzhou and Xiamen to destinations including Shanghai and Guangzhou, extending the joy of the concert all the way through the journey home.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn