On March 29, international students from ECUST’s College of International Education enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Chinese professional football during visits to Shanghai Stadium and the Shanghai Shenhua Training Base.

Shanghai Stadium: The Heart of Football in Shanghai

The experience began at the iconic Shanghai Stadium, where our diverse group of international students marveled at the 50,000-seat arena. Walking from locker rooms through the players’ tunnel and standing on the pristine pitch, they gained a professional player’s perspective. 

Shanghai Shenhua Training Base: The Cradle of Champions

At the Shenhua Training Base, students observed youth academy training sessions and examined the club’s world-class facilities. For many international attendees, seeing China’s football development firsthand was particularly enlightening.

During the tour, students had the unique opportunity to step onto the training field and practice football in the same environment where professional players sharpen their skills. Students were amazed at the sensation of running on a pitch that has nurtured countless champions.

The visit to Shanghai Stadium and the Shanghai Shenhua training base was an immersion into the unique sporting culture of Shanghai. Through the legacy of Shanghai Shenhua, a team that carries the city’s football heritage, students witnessed the intersection of sportsmanship and Shanghai’s cosmopolitan identity.