Fans cheer for their team at the Rugao Olympic Sports Center. [Photo/WeChat account: Nantong Daily]

The total output of the sports industry in Rugao, a county-level city of Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province, exceeded 10 billion yuan ($1.42 billion) in 2022, and the per capita sports field area reached 3.48 square meters, making it a provincial leader in the development of the sports industry.

High-quality sports resources have brought booming social and economic benefits to the city.

On April 26, the Nantong Zhiyun Football Club returned to the Rugao Olympic Sports Center as a newly-promoted team in the Chinese Super League. This was the team's first home game after being promoted to the Chinese Super League and also the first time in three years that a Jiangsu team has hosted a Chinese Super League game.

As the second county-level city in China to host the Chinese Super League, Rugao upgraded and renovated the hardware facilities of the Rugao Olympic Sports Center at the beginning of this year, adding nearly 10,000 audience seats in the stands and upgrading lighting, turf, and other facilities.

Before the second home game on May 6, all online tickets for the single game were sold out and several hotels around the stadium were fully booked.

In addition, the city has been selected for international and domestic brand events such as the National Veterans Track and Field Championships, the Asian Veterans Track and Field Championships and the Tour of the Taihu Lake International Road Cycling Club.