The 7th Cross-Strait Football Friendship League concluded on September 6th with a closing ceremony and awards presentation at the Chinese National Football Training Center in Mission Hills Haikou. Over the past few days, more than 600 players from 30 teams hailing from Hainan, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan gathered for spirited competition and cultural exchange.

Players battle fiercely on the pitch at the 2026 7th Cross-Strait Football Friendship League. (Photo: missionhillschina.com)

The event featured four divisions: Men's Groups A, B, and C, and the newly added U15 youth category - designed to extend sports exchanges to a younger demographic.

After a number of hard-fought matches, Hong Kong's Diocesan Boys' School U19 team claimed the Group A title. The Group B championship went to the Haikou Yingya St. Peter's International Talent United team, and the Hong Kong Halo Fund Yuen Long Football Club won Group C. Meanwhile, the Hainan Deyu U15 team clinched the trophy in the inaugural U15 division.

The Hainan Deyu U15 team celebrates their win in the league's inaugural U15 youth division. (Photo: missionhillschina.com)

World-class infrastructure proved crucial to the event's smooth execution. Spanning roughly 53 hectares, the host venue—the Chinese National Football Training Center—features 30 standard football pitches as well as dedicated training and medical rehabilitation facilities.

Speaking after the event, players from the Diocesan Boys' School praised Haikou's vibrant sports culture. They noted that competing at a venue with such top-tier amenities was a standout experience, and commended the organizers' hospitality, which left a lasting impression on participants from all participating regions.

Beyond the pitch, organizers arranged cultural tours and networking events to give youths from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan a firsthand look at the Hainan Free Trade Port's ongoing development and future business prospects. This "sports-plus-culture" approach not only deepened mutual understanding between the four delegations but also laid a solid foundation for long-term regional cooperation.

Launched in 2019, the league has now held seven championships drawing a cumulative total of over 3,000 participants. Over the years, the annual event has evolved into a premier tool for regional youth to sharpen their skills and forge enduring friendships, giving the next generation their own part to play in Hainan's international network and economic development.