LOCAL soccer fans can watch Shenzhen F.C.’s home match against Qingdao Hainiu at Shenzhen Universiade Center this Sunday night, the first home match for the local team in the 2023 Chinese Super League (CSL).

During the past three years, due to the pandemic, the CSL matches were held in designated cities rather than playing in the traditional home-and-away format. Starting this weekend, the CSL matches will return to normal and the new season will kick off Saturday with four matches to be held in Beijing, Wuhan, Dalian and Huzhou.

Founded in 1994, Shenzhen F.C. has won several prestigious titles including the CSL champion in 2004. It also reached the 2005 AFC Champions League semifinals.

The team’s upcoming CSL home matches are scheduled to be held April 26, 30, May 5, 9, 13, 28, June 29, July 3, 16, Aug. 19, 25, Sept. 24, 29 and Nov. 4.

The CSL is the highest tier of professional soccer in China. In this season, the total number of CSL teams have decreased from 18 to 16. Two teams finishing in the last two places on the league table at the end of the season will be automatically relegated to China League One, and the top two teams from the second-tier China League One at the end of the season will be promoted to the CSL.

Time: 7:35 p.m., April 16

Tickets: 80-120 yuan

Booking: WeChat miniprogram “大麦”

Venue: Shenzhen Universiade Center, Longgang District (深圳大运中心)

Metro: Line 16 to Universiade Center Station (大运中心站), Exit C (Cao Zhen)