In early March in Zaozhuang, Shandong, the atmosphere was still devoid of spring vibes, with dry yellow leaves and cold winds testing people's patience.

However, thanks to football, the place became extraordinarily lively. Recently, the 2025 Chinese Women's Super League, sponsored by China Pacific Insurance, kicked off at the Zaozhuang Sports Center Stadium, with 15,876 fans present—breaking last season's attendance record of 15,868 at Henan Xinxiang Sports Center.

"I've lost my voice," remarked Xu Huan, captain and goalkeeper of Jiangsu Wuxi Women's Football Team, after the match. "There were so many fans today, the atmosphere was incredible. I had to shout really loud for my teammates to hear me."

Such an atmosphere and fan support are exactly what the current Women's Super League and Chinese women's football need.

Shandong Women's Football received enthusiastic support from fans.

The women's football field also boasts a vibrant "golden ball market".

In the inaugural match, Shandong Sports Lottery Women's Football team faced off against last season's fifth-placed Jiangsu Wuxi Women's Football. With goals from national team forwards Shao Ziqin and Jin Kun in both halves, Jiangsu Wuxi Women's Football secured a 2-0 victory away from home, starting the season on a high note.

While they smoothly secured 3 points without conceding a goal, Xu Huan remembered Shandong Sports Lottery Women's Football's formidable home ground.

This afternoon, 15,876 fans brought a festive atmosphere to the stadium, setting a new attendance record for the women's football league. The loud cheers throughout the match set a vibrant tone for the new season.

Although only entering the women's football arena a year ago, Zaozhuang, Shandong, has become a popular spot for the Women's Super League. Sun Fangxin, who scored 7 goals last season and was called up to the national team, is deeply impressed by this change.

"From last year until now, I feel that the atmosphere at our home games is particularly good, especially during the league matches, everyone can feel the support of the fans."

In the 11 home games of the 2024 Women's Super League season, the total audience in the Zaozhuang area exceeded 112,000, creating a rare average attendance of over ten thousand in women's football matches. This scene not only left a deep impression on the Shandong Women's Football players but also impressed visiting opponents.

Duo Jiaxing, a player from Jiangsu Wuxi Women's Football team, said, "Last year when we came to Shandong to play, it was the first time I saw so many fans paying attention to the Women's Super League. I feel the league's visibility is gradually increasing."

Rejecting closed-door matches brings women's football closer to more people.

The popularity of Shandong Zaozhuang Women's Football did not come out of thin air. When Shandong Sports Lottery Women's Football entered, the Zaozhuang government declared the slogan "Organize good football matches and ignite a city."

To create a high-quality event environment, the Zaozhuang municipal government actively introduced third parties for market-oriented operations, commercial resource development, and event promotion. The operating party raised funds through stadium naming, venue advertising, ticket sales, and on-site concessionaire operations, which proved quite effective.

Zhao Yuhao, Deputy Director of the Zaozhuang Sports Bureau, explained, "We have learned about previous match situations; the audience for women's football matches is relatively small, with most being closed matches. So, after Shandong Sports Lottery Women's Football arrived in Zaozhuang, we put a lot of effort into market promotion."

"At the end of last year, the Zaozhuang Municipal Party Committee and Government issued a document - 'Several Opinions on Promoting the Economic Development of Performing Arts Events,' which specifically stipulates that for top sports leagues settling in Zaozhuang, government financial support can be as high as 1.5 million yuan. These are all attempts we are making."

The addition of foreign players has brought more vitality to the league.

With efforts from all sides, Shandong Sports Lottery Women's Football felt at home during their home games. However, this strong bond was not built in a day.

Facing tens of thousands of fans cheering at each game, some young players initially found it challenging, burdened by the fear of losing. But as the season progressed, the players were touched by the pure support of the audience and became more motivated to engage in the matches.

Looking back at last season's match against defending champions Wuhan Chegujiang University, although Shandong Sports Lottery Women's Football suffered a defeat at home, during the post-match appreciation segment, fans continued to encourage the players with shouts of "keep fighting," echoingthroughout the stadium. This kind of support deeply moved the players and strengthened their determination to improve.

As the new season kicked off, Shandong Sports Lottery Women's Football team continued to receive overwhelming support from fans. With each match, the bond between the team and the supporters grew stronger, creating a vibrant and passionate atmosphere in the stadium.

The 2025 Chinese Women's Super League promises to be an exciting season filled with thrilling matches and enthusiastic fans. The dedication and hard work of the players, combined with the unwavering support of the fans, set the stage for an unforgettable season of women's football in China.