On the evening of August 9th, the first "Tongxin Cup" Xinjiang Football Super League Finals kicked off at the Urumqi Olympic Sports Center, with Kashgar and Yili teams competing in a peak match. This football feast, which lasted nearly three months, witnessed the passionate journey of the Kashgar team to advance to the finals. The exciting match ignited a new wave of cultural and tourism tourism for the whole nation to watch in the ancient city of Kashgar.
Kashgar team won the overall championship of the 2026 "Tongxin Cup" Xinjiang Football Super League. Photo by Wang Zhengui
On the evening of the final, after 104 minutes of intense competition, Kashgar team defeated Yili team 1-0 to lift the 2026 "Tongxin Cup" Xinjiang Football Super League championship trophy. On the evening of August 9th, at the "Silk Road Appointment" caf é in the ancient city of Kashgar, tourists and residents from all over the city gathered here to watch live matches. Every exciting attack and defense transition on the field filled this small space with enthusiastic cheers. Football brings strangers together tightly.
Tourists watch the peak showdown between Kashgar and Ili teams at the "Silk Road Appointment" caf é. Photo by Gulinuer Elken
Huang Wenqiang, the 39 year old owner of the "Silk Road Appointment" caf é, has been opening a store in the ancient city of Kashgar for 2 years. Since the start of the "Tongxin Cup" Xinjiang Football Super League in 2026, coinciding with the Kashgar team's matches, he promptly broadcasted live broadcasts, and the store was filled with spectators. The first game was watched by only five or six people, the second game had more than ten players, and the third game was full, "said Huang Wenqiang.
Fans from all over the city of Kashgar cheered and encouraged the Kashgar team. Photo by Gulinuer Elken
I am a fan myself, and I learned about 'Xinjiang Super League' because of this trip. I passed by a caf é and was attracted by the lively atmosphere. The owner warmly invited me to watch the game together. On the afternoon of the final, I didn't even go to the scenic spots, so I came to the shop early. This was the most unforgettable night of my trip, "said Long Ruiting, a tourist from Guangxi.
In the past three months, the revenue of this coffee shop has nearly doubled compared to the same period last year. Shop owner Huang Wenqiang said that during the peak tourist season, more than half of the tourists come, many of whom are looking for the "Xinjiang Supermarket". Tourists visit the ancient city during the day and come to the store to watch football at night. Many people say they will come again next year.
Tourists and citizens are watching a game in a caf é. Photo by Gulinuer Elken
The competition has a deadline, and I love boundaryless love. Although the 2026 "Tongxin Cup" Xinjiang Football Super League has come to an end, the passion for sports and the seeds of unity it sowed are taking root and sprouting. On the field, 14 teams competed together, sweating in 56 intense matches; Outside the arena, competitions have become a vivid practice to promote exchanges, communication, and integration among various ethnic groups. From the enthusiastic cheers of 400000 offline spectators to the over 60 million online viewers watching the game in the cloud, the "Tongxin Cup" has built a heart bridge connecting the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains with football. (Reporter from Kashgar Integrated Media Center: Gulinuer Elken Fan Jiqiang Ali Feire Muhetar)
Kashgar Integrated Media Center
Editor: Liu Kun
Reviewed by: Yuan Wei
Editor in Chief: Li Caiqin
Editor: Wu Liangliang
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