2025 GBA Youth Football Tournament kicks off in Nansha

An athlete gets ready to take a shot. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_nanshafabu] 

The 2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Football Tournament kicked off at Guangzhou Nansha International Convention and Exhibition Center on April 19.

This event not only offered a stage for young athletes from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to display their talent and cultivate friendships but also signaled the commencement of the 15th National Games.

Lasting for two days, a total of 72 youth teams from the GBA, comprising 300 young football players, gathered at the Hengli Civic Sports Football Field in Nansha, igniting the field with their youthful passion.

The competition featured two categories - eight-a-side and five-a-side matches - spanning six age groups from U8 to U14, taking place simultaneously across multiple venues in Nansha. The most anticipated opening match and championship showdown will unfold in a thrilling manner at the Hengli Civic Sports Football Field.

At the opening ceremony, the innovative performance "Youth Lion Dance" presented by young people from GBA seamlessly blended traditional Lingnan culture with modern street dance, captivating the entire audience instantly.

With over 40 percent of participating teams hailing from Hong Kong and Macao, this event marks a record high in participation from these regions. Leveraging Nansha's strategic location as the geographic center of the GBA, Nansha has become the preferred destination for young talent from Hong Kong and Macao seeking opportunities for development.