A Study on the Practical Mechanisms and Development Pathways for the Jiangsu Football City League to Promote the Unleashing of Sports Consumption Potential

Grounded in a multidimensional theoretical framework—encompassing consumption scenario theory, urban sports ecosystem theory, industrial linkage theory, and flow economy theory—this study investigates the practical mechanisms, challenges, and strategies by which the Jiangsu Football City League (Suchao) facilitates the unleashing of sports consumption potential. The analysis identifies five core mechanisms underpinning Suchao’s impact: a supply-side innovation mechanism combining scenario reconfiguration and cross-sector integration; a demand-side activation mechanism rooted in accessibility and emotional engagement; an industrial synergy mechanism fostering value chain expansion and economic spillovers; a policy coordination mechanism balancing top-down governance and market-driven operations; a consumption acceleration mechanism driven by narrative branding and digitalized audience aggregation. Current challenges include ambiguities in strategic positioning, gaps in collaborative governance, shortcomings in event management and market oversight, uneven service quality, limited brand influence, sustainability concerns, and the need for harmonious co-development with professional football. To address these issues, the study proposes actionable pathways: refining strategic frameworks through multi-stakeholder alignment, optimizing event operations and organizational efficiency, innovating product and service offerings alongside brand building, amplifying grassroots participation and community-driven momentum, and establishing an integrated ecosystem that bridges amateur and professional football sectors.