The start dates for two major sporting events in Guangdong province have been officially confirmed. The 2026 Guangdong Provincial City Basketball League, known as "Yue BA," and the Guangdong Provincial City Football Super League, referred to as "Yue Super," were announced at a press conference for the Guangdong Sports City League held in Guangzhou on the morning of the 14th. The "Yue BA" league will tip off on March 21, while the "Yue Super" football league is scheduled to commence in late April. The opening game of the "Yue BA" will see the Guangzhou team host the Zhongshan team at Tianhe Sports Center.
Ticket prices for the regular season are set to be affordable, with the lowest price point at just 8.8 yuan. For "Yue BA," tickets will be available in two tiers: 8.8 yuan and 18.8 yuan. Tickets for "Yue Super" matches will be uniformly priced at 8.8 yuan. Ticket reservations for "Yue BA" will open via a lottery system on the "Guangdong Basketball - Yue BA" WeChat official account starting at 10:00 AM on March 15.
The press conference also announced the welcome return of the beloved mascots from the 15th National Games, "Xi Yangyang" and "Le Rongrong." They will resume their roles as the official mascots for the Guangdong Sports City League, featuring new basketball and football-themed versions of their designs. Their return as "ambassadors of joy" and "emotional bonds" for the league marks an unprecedented case of mascots being "re-hired" after a major games event, a first in the history of the National Games and potentially for large-scale international events.
To further enhance the fan experience, the commerce department will distribute "Dine in Guangdong" restaurant vouchers to ticket holders during the first round of the basketball league starting in March. These vouchers will offer instant discounts, such as 20 yuan off a 100-yuan purchase or 40 yuan off a 200-yuan purchase. Collaborations with financial institutions, platforms, and businesses will continue to enrich the voucher packages, and participating restaurants will introduce special game-day meal deals, aiming to provide a enjoyable experience for both spectators and diners.
Guangdong province plans to transform ticket stubs into "money-saving keys" by launching a "Enjoy Upon Arrival in Guangdong" benefits package. The Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, in conjunction with the Provincial Department of Finance, has issued a notice to support policies promoting "ticket stub economy" and tourism consumption. Through coordinated efforts between provincial and city authorities and financial subsidies, incentives are encouraged for attractions, hotels, and others to offer exclusive discounts to ticket holders.
In terms of integrating tourism resources, Guangdong will launch curated "Traveling Guangdong with the Games" tour routes. Leveraging the province's 16 5A-level attractions, 220 4A-level attractions, along with its rich array of theme parks, coastal and mountain scenery, and historical sites, cultural and tourism departments will guide host cities to connect A-level scenic spots, historical and cultural streets, and museums. The goal is to create unique itineraries combining spectating, sightseeing, and cultural experiences, fostering interaction between tourists from different cities within the province and upgrading a simple "trip to watch a game" into an in-depth "tour of Guangdong," thereby boosting local and domestic tourism consumption.
The league features the largest participant base to date, with all 21 prefecture-level cities in Guangdong taking part. Teams are broadly divided into Eastern and Western conferences based on the Pearl River boundary, with 11 teams in the East and 10 in the West. This setup not only marks the most extensive geographical coverage in the history of basketball and football events in Guangdong but also positions the league to become one of the largest provincial-level sports city leagues nationally.
The league maintains a strong grassroots ethos, emphasizing local participation. Restrictions on the involvement of professional athletes ensure that homegrown talent from various walks of life, the true "grassroots heroes," have the opportunity to compete on a provincial stage. Participation is widely accessible, with the minimum age requirement set at 16 years old, allowing teenagers to compete alongside adults and aiding in the development of future talent. The upper age limits have been relaxed to 40 for basketball and 45 for football, enabling veteran players to represent their hometowns. This creates a true multi-generational sporting event.
The "Yue BA" basketball league, beginning on March 21, will consist of 125 matches running through August. The "Yue Super" football league starts in late April with 123 matches scheduled, continuing until October. The league will adhere to a "home-and-away" game format, bringing both basketball and football competitions directly to the doorsteps of local communities across the province. With 248 high-level matches scheduled, spectators can expect exciting games happening almost every weekend in various locations throughout Guangdong.
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