Chinese football (soccer) is quite uninspiring. The national Super League is marred by a rather low technical level, match fixing, and it is poorly managed by the bureaucrats of the Chinese Football Federation. Chinese fans are dismissive about the depressing state of their football league: ‘不想看!’ (I don’t want to watch it!), ‘实在太差了!’ (it’s really bad!) are the most common comments on the streets. For the national team the situation is even more depressing, considering that China did not manage to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. As a matter of fact, Chinese football fans don’t really have much to look forward to.
This notwithstanding, in China the passion for football is massive and keeps on growing. Fans wildly relish watching Italian, British and Spanish league games on TV, broadcast live on CCTV 5 (China Central TV sports channel) and on many other local TV stations across China. Unlike many publications in China, sports newspapers and specialised magazines sell extremely well. In terms of coverage, national and foreign football rule the scene with their in-depth features, fresh news, good quality photographs, and competent commentary.
In the past few years, the popular thirst for international football has been partly quenched by visiting powerhouse teams like Real Madrid, which started to include China as a profitable stopover on their cash-harvesting summer world tours. In their first appearance in Beijing in 2003, the ‘galacticos’ drew in a crowd of 65,000, marking a record in ticket sales for a football match (USD2,4 million). This summer the Spaniards are back in town ready to showcase their stellar roster of prestigious players against the Beijing Hyundai team on Saturday 23rd at the Workers Stadium.
Only 3 days after Real Madrid’s match, Beijing is going to host another blazing star of the football firmament: Manchester United. This unprecedented succession of megaclubs in Beijing is a clear indication that there are bucks to be made in this country. Despite the lack of reliable figures, Real Madrid and Manchester United are likely to pocket several million dollars each for a mere 90 minute performance at the Workers Stadium.
So, what’s the benefit for the Chinese football fan?
To be honest, friendly matches are never particularly spectacular or engaging. Chinese fans will pay their pricey tickets mostly to see some famous and overpaid football stars trotting around the pitch, and possibly get a glimpse of them during a training session or while getting out from the entrance of a heavily body-guarded 5-star hotel.
What’s the benefit for Chinese football?
零. Zero. Nada. Nicht.
What’s the benefit for the visiting teams?
$$$$$
The hype is on. But unfortunately there’s really not much to hype about.