The 43rd "Baidui Cup" Football Tournament concluded in Beijing, marking a significant milestone in China's youth football landscape. This year, the tournament introduced a groundbreaking "two-track" system, separating participants into Popularization and Competitive Groups. The event attracted 1,481 teams and over 20,000 young players, the largest turnout in recent years.
Established in 1984, the Baidui Cup is one of China's oldest continuous youth football tournaments. Its new format aims to cater to both recreational players and aspiring professionals. The Popularization Group is open to all young enthusiasts, promoting "joyful participation and free team formation," with age categories from 6-year-olds to high school students. In the youngest age group, no rankings are kept, and all participants receive awards to encourage early interest. The Competitive Group, designed for elite youth academy teams, sports schools, and school representatives, covers ages 8 to 17, providing a high-level platform to refine talent selection for professional clubs.
A spokesperson from the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau highlighted that the two-track system transforms the Baidui Cup from a standalone amateur event into a comprehensive youth competition framework that equally values participation and excellence, offering a model for other regions.
The tournament featured notable figures: Fu Ming, an international referee who officiated at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, oversaw Competitive Group matches and advised young players to "win on the condition that you enjoy the game." Shao Jiayi, the tournament's image ambassador and head coach of the Chinese men's national football team, presented awards and encouraged the children to compete with courage.
For many Beijing residents, the Baidui Cup is more than a competition; it's a cherished summer tradition. A post-80s football enthusiast who participated as a child and now coaches a team described it as "Beijing's very own 'World Cup' for its children," emphasizing its role in fostering a lifelong love for the sport and serving as a cultural cornerstone of the city's athletic identity.
