Lixia district leveraged youth soccer to connect young players from China and abroad while giving them a chance to experience Jinan's spring-water culture and local heritage.

The 2026 Good Luck Shandong Quancheng Junior International Youth Football Invitational Tournament recently concluded in Lixia, bringing together more than 1,000 young players from South Korea, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, and Chinese cities.

The tournament covered six age groups from U7 to U12, with four international teams competing alongside 28 teams from across China. The diverse lineup gave young players opportunities to interact with young players from different countries and regions.

The tournament also extended beyond the pitch. Organizers arranged visits to Daming Lake and Wulong Pond, introducing the young participants to Jinan's spring-water culture and the cultural heritage of Shandong.

As a national demonstration area for campus soccer reform, Lixia has been integrating sports and education and making use of local resources to provide young people with more opportunities for sports and cultural exchange.

Young soccer players from different countries compete on the field during the tournament in Lixia district, Jinan. [Photo/WeChat account: lixiatoutiao]