THE exciting 2023 Chinese Super League (CSL) concluded Saturday after an intense battle spanning just under seven months. The top three finishers were Shanghai Port, Shandong Taishan, and Zhejiang FC, while Dalian Pro and Shenzhen FC faced relegation.

The season was characterized by fierce competition, although there was room for improvement in terms of overall quality.

Shanghai Port kicked off the season radiating a distinct aura of strength. At their peak, Shanghai enjoyed a 17-point lead over Shandong. However, as the competition neared its climax, there was only a five-point gap between these two teams. Despite the tumultuous journey, Shanghai Port eventually prevailed and secured its second CSL title.

The CSL fully reinstated the home and away match system for the first time since the pandemic, injecting renewed enthusiasm and energy into the league. The season witnessed an average of around 20,000 fans per match, with traditional powerhouses like Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Shenhua enjoying consistently high attendance figures. Impressively, newly-promoted Nantong attracted up to 12,000 despite their provincial location in the county-level city of Rugao.

Beijing Guoan’s return to a renovated Workers Stadium ignited a surge in fan attendance, with the clash against Shanghai Shenhua drawing a record-breaking 52,500 spectators. The new stadium hosted eight of the top 10 highest-attended matches this season.

Since 2020, many CSL clubs have grappled with financial problems, most notably the disbandment of Jiangsu FC just three months after winning the 2020 league title.

Nevertheless, CSL clubs are making efforts to build a sustainable financial model. Revenues from tickets and the sale of merchandise have seen a positive trend over the past season, which is viewed as an indicator of healthy operation.(Xinhua)