Regional Identity and Football Fandom in Jiangsu Province: A Study of Inter-City Alienation and Provincial Identification

Haowei Wang

doi:10.54254/2753-7048/28/20231249

Research Article

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Published on 7 December 2023

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Wang,H. (2023). Regional Identity and Football Fandom in Jiangsu Province: A Study of Inter-City Alienation and Provincial Identification. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,28,59-70.

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Regional Identity and Football Fandom in Jiangsu Province: A Study of Inter-City Alienation and Provincial Identification

Haowei Wang *^,1,

¹ The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/28/20231249

Abstract

This study delves into the socio-cultural dynamics of regional identity and football fandom in Jiangsu Province, China. It investigates the lack of provincial identification among residents and their alienation from other cities within the province, as well as the interplay between this distinctive phenomenon of territorial identification and the football support base of football clubs in Jiangsu Province. Employing a qualitative approach, the research utilized in-depth interviews and participant observation to gather comprehensive data. The study reveals that that regional identity largely determines how well fans support different teams, and football fandom significantly shapes regional identities as well. Interestingly, the sense of regional identity behind a club like Jiangsu Suning FC, which is named after a province, is quite different from those other clubs that are named after a particular city. The rituals and practices associated with supporting these teams create a shared identity among fans, reinforcing their unique regional identity. This study contributes to understanding the complex dynamics of regional identity, inter-city relations, and the role of sports in shaping these dynamics in contemporary China.

Keywords

football fandom, regional identity, Jiangsu Province

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About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Interdisciplinary Humanities and Communication Studies

Conference website: https://www.icihcs.org/

ISBN：978-1-83558-171-1(Print) / 978-1-83558-172-8(Online)

Conference date: 15 November 2023

Editor：Javier Cifuentes-Faura, Enrique Mallen

Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media

Volume number: Vol.28

ISSN：2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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