The Chinese Super League opened the season this past weekend with goals galore and a number of exciting matches. While the quality of league matches can’t compare to the European matches available on television each weekend, the match experience at many venues is well worth it.
Plus, you can get in for the price of a beer (or in many cases less than that) at many bars, making it great value for money. Season tickets are an even greater value, though you’ll be too late in most cases, however don’t despair, there’s still a chance to catch some live, local football.
Guangzhou Evergrande: Season tickets were in high demand for the back-to-back league champions and individual match tickets are also sure to be hard to come by.
Season tickets: RMB400 (student tickets), 600、800、 1000、1300
Individual matches: RMB70、130、200
Jiangsu Sainty: Last season the side finished a surprising second, so it’s refreshing to see ticket prices remain affordable in Nanjing.
Individual matches, RMB30 and 50 (with both prices bumped an additional RMB20-30 for ACL matches)
Beijing Guoan: Season tickets are always a hot commodity in the capital, where over 25,000 were sold, far outpacing demand. Individual match tickets are always available, though they go fast for the big derby matches.
Season tickets: RMB600
Individual matches: RMB50、100、150
Guizhou Renhe: Success in the southwest meant higher ticket prices in the new year, however they are still very reasonable.
Season tickets: RMB480 (includes a replica jersey and scarf)
Individual matches: RMB50, though ACL matches will cost you RMB80
Dalian Aerbin: The northeastern club spent big in the off-season, though their tickets are still affordable, however they don’t avoid a chance to make money, with options for big spenders.
Season tickets: RMB380、560、780、980、with tickets for the VIP section running RMB3000 and 9800
Individual matches: RMB30、40、50、70、90、300
Changchun Yatai: This club has struggled attracting fans, especially due to its location far from the city center (though its easily accessible via public transportation).
Season tickets: RMB410
Individual matches: RMB30、50、80、120
Guangzhou R&F: The city’s “other” side returns to the traditional home of Cantonese football, Yuexiushan. There will be exciting football to watch, as Yakubu leads the way, but even when it’s not, the venue is amazing. The club sold 4,000 season tickets, surprising it was so few, considering how cheap they were.
Season tickets: RMB180、280、240、330、380
Individual matches: RMB40、60
Shanghai Shenhua: History was made in Shanghai as ticket prices were actually reduced over what they were the year before, that’s what losing Drogba and Anelka will do to demand.
Season tickets: RMB500
Individual matches: RMB80、100、150、200
Liaoning Whowin: Despite losing two key players, the Shenyang side performed impressively in their first match. They are still a great bargain for anyone living nearby.
Season tickets: RMB300
Individual matches: RMB40
Hangzhou Greentown: How will Takeshi Okada do in his second season? It won’t cost you a lot to find out if you’re in Hangzhou.
Season tickets: RMB450、650、1380
Individual matches: RMB40、60、90、280
Shandong Luneng: Initiating a new season in a new stadium, excitement abounds in Jinan, where 10,000 season tickets were sold.
Season tickets: RMB75 (student tickets)、400、600、1000
Individual matches: RMB10 (student tickets)、20元、40元、60元、100
Shanghai Shenxin: While they are only one of Shanghai’s three clubs, their move to the city, extremely low ticket prices, and side made up of more local players than the other two city sides are sure to help them bring in some fans.
Season tickets: RMB200
Individual matches: RMB30、50、80、150
Shanghai East Asia: Despite a first appearance in the CSL, their tickets at the 80,000 seat Shanghai Stadium are as high as their Shanghainese neighbors.
Season tickets: RMB500
Individual matches: RMB30、60、100、150、380
Wuhan Zall: The other CSL newboys are sure to attract a lot of support now that they’re back in the top flight.
Season tickets: RMB360、720
Individual matches: RMB40、60、80
Wode tian-a!
Reasons to follow Fuli:
1, Best Stripey in the league
2. Best stadium in the league
3. Best province in the league
4. Best ticket prices in the league.
Anyone with a shred of Guangdong-ness in them should support this club.
(Zhaoqing Massiv- respeck!)
Wait – anyone with a shred of Guangdong-ness in them should support a franchise that originated in Liaoning less than thirty years ago, has since spent time in Hunan, and has been in Guangzhou less than two years, rather than a club that has spent the entirety of its sixty year existence in this city? I don’t get it.
I know – I should feel ashamed of myself. Now I know how the Hakka feel!!
If Hengda moved over to Yuexiushan and wore stripes I’d jump on that bandwagon as quick as you could say “plastic sh*b!”.
Yuexiushan looks lovely from the outside and I’m looking forward to hopefully getting inside to see a few games there, but Tianhe’s not bad apart from the massive bloody track. I know where you’re coming from not wanting to side with the (relative) glory boys – if I didn’t live ten minutes walk from the stadium, I’d feel a bit uneasy about it too, but they’re my local team so it’s all good!
If it’s ‘Guangdong-ness’ you’re after, join me at the Guangdong provincial stadium on Saturday to watch the mighty Guangdong Sunray Cave kick of their League 1 Campaign against Chengdu!!
That sounds like pwopa grass roots football too, plus the English name in itself is worthy of support.
Would it be wrong to have two Guangdong teams (if they are in different leagues)?
What time is kick-off? Going to Hengda’s game so doubt I could make it but definitely up for it another time. Saw them in a joke game against Liverpool a couple of years back, they looked half-decent. Sort of.