Football Fans Take Special Trains to Super Cup Final in Nanjing

"We're right behind you… for the dream, for the win… Shanghai always win!"

Chants echoed through Shanghai Railway Station on Sunday morning as hundreds of Shanghai Port FC supporters, many wearing red scarves and team jerseys, gathered to board a special high-speed train to Nanjing.

G7008 carried more than 370 fans to the 2026 Chinese FA Super Cup final held the same day.

Meanwhile, around 400 Beijing Guoan fans took G43 to Nanjing.

These marked the first two dedicated fan trains launched in Shanghai and Beijing this year.

"We contacted fan clubs ahead of the match to estimate travel numbers and arranged round-trip seats in advance," said Shi Nuo, Deputy Head of Marketing at Shanghai Railway Station.

In the exclusive waiting area, fans posed for photos, discussed tactics and shared predictions. Longtime supporter Ding said he used to drive or book separate tickets for away games.

"It used to be tiring, but traveling together completely changes the experience. It already feels like game day," he said.

Fans boarded via a dedicated channel with extra staff guidance. The train was decorated with football-themed ornaments and photo props, with similar arrangements in Nanjing to handle post-match crowds.

The match kicked off at 3:30pm at Nanjing Olympic Sports Center Stadium, with Beijing Guoan claiming a 2-0 victory.

Return trips were also arranged to bring supporters back after the match.

Such services are becoming increasingly common. In recent years, railway operators have expanded special train services for major sports events, concerts and other large-scale gatherings to ease peak travel demand, boosting the region's sports industry, cultural tourism and event-driven consumption.