Rebuilding and upgrading, Xi'an completes China's seven major football regions.

Journalist Chen Yong reports. The Chengdu-Chongqing derby on March 21 was extremely intense, attracting nationwide attention from football fans. Originally, this day was also a celebration for Shaanxi fans, as Shaanxi United was scheduled to debut at Xi'an International Football Center. However, due to preparations for the Xi'an Four Nations Tournament, this China League One match had to be postponed. Yet, Shaanxi fans won't have to wait too long; in less than half a month, they can witness their hometown team's debut at this top-tier professional football stadium. On April 5, Shaanxi United versus Shijiazhuang Gongfu will undoubtedly be a moment remembered by all Shaanxi fans.

During the wait for Shaanxi United's debut at Xi'an International Football Center, Shaanxi fans also have three high-standard matches to watch: on March 25, 28, and 31, the U23 national team, which finished as runners-up in the U23 Asian Cup, will face the U23 teams of Thailand, North Korea, and Vietnam at this venue. In fact, the U23 national team's journey to the U23 Asian Cup runner-up position began in Xi'an, specifically during the U23 Asian Cup qualifiers last September, which also marked the first appearance of Xi'an International Football Center.

Xi'an has always been a hotbed for Chinese football and a top-tier football market. Now, with Xi'an International Football Center as a symbol, they are undergoing comprehensive upgrades. The development of Northwest football in hosting national team events, professional clubs, and youth training systems has also helped complete and refine China's seven major football regions.

The U23 Asian Cup qualifiers held in September 2025 posed a significant challenge for Xi'an: the last time Xi'an hosted a formal match for a national team was back in 2016, when the national team defeated Qatar 2-0, narrowly advancing to the 2018 World Cup Asian qualifiers' final round. Looking further back over the past decade, national teams remained unbeaten in Xi'an, including the 2001 campaign where the national team first qualified for the World Cup finals, which also started in Xi'an. Over twenty years later, the U23 national team embarked again from Xi'an. Similarly, Xi'an successfully hosted another high-level international event, and the U23 national team qualified for the main tournament from Xi'an, ultimately finishing as runners-up.

The revival of the national team's fortunate ground is just the beginning of Xi'an football's resurgence. On February 28, 2026, the China League One schedule was released, and Xi'an International Football Center officially became the home venue for Shaanxi United.

Meanwhile, Xi'an continues to maintain close cooperation with Chinese football by hosting national team events, ultimately finalizing the Xi'an Four Nations Tournament this March. The U23 national team also began its preparations for the Asian Games with this tournament. To ensure the success of this event, Xi'an made meticulous preparations: as early as November 2025, they completed the replacement of cool-season grass, and throughout the winter, the ground heating system consistently provided optimal care for the turf. Beyond venue maintenance, Xi'an International Football Center also redesigned and optimized its signage system and developed a membership service WeChat mini-program for events at the center. Besides regular ticket sales and on-site guidance, the mini-program allows direct ordering of coffee, food, and beverages. Additionally, Xi'an's promoted "ticket stub economy" continues to upgrade, with one match ticket linking over 100 attractions, hotels, and dining establishments.

During last year's U23 Asian Cup qualifiers, seating capacity was opened to 30,000. For this Xi'an Four Nations Tournament, seating capacity is opened to 40,000. Naturally, we also look forward to the attendance rates for China League One matches at Xi'an International Football Center.

Among China's seven geographical football regions, North China, East China, and South China benefit from strong economic foundations, ensuring stable football development. Central China's Henan and Hubei also perform well in professional football and youth training. In recent years, Southwest football has risen strongly, especially this season after three rounds of the Chinese Super League, where the three Southwest teams occupy the top three positions. Even without considering point deductions, their rankings are first, fourth, and seventh, demonstrating continued strength. Regarding Northeast China, despite Changchun Yatai's relegation, Dalian and Shenyang football have made strong returns.

Now, thanks to the robust recovery of Shaanxi and Xi'an football and the rapid development of Xinjiang football, Northwest football has also declared a strong comeback. Thus, China's seven major football regions are truly completed and refined.

The representative of Northwest football is naturally Xi'an football. Currently, Xi'an football focuses on three core development areas: first, national team events, including last year's U23 Asian Cup qualifiers and this year's Xi'an Four Nations Tournament, along with the regional training camps organized by the Xi'an regional youth training center, which serve as preparatory camps for national teams; second, professional football represented by Shaanxi United, whose eventual move into Xi'an International Football Center holds milestone significance; third, the youth training system, where football youth training in Shaanxi and Xi'an is undergoing comprehensive recovery, with provincial, municipal, and county (district) youth training centers being fully promoted.

Building on Xi'an's three football pillars, Northwest football is fully interconnected and internationally oriented: Shaanxi/Xi'an football and Xinjiang football have always maintained close ties. The Xi'an regional youth training center serves the entire Northwest five provinces, while represented by Xi'an and Kashgar, Northwest football is strengthening exchanges with Central Asian football—the ancient Silk Road now writes a new football chapter.

This gradually unfolding panorama of Northwest football is an indispensable part of China's broader football landscape. The future of Xi'an football, Shaanxi football, and Northwest football requires dedication and care from everyone. On March 25, 28, 31, and April 5, Xi'an International Football Center will once again showcase the new face of Xi'an's top-tier football market.