Standing on Bricks, Sitting in Trees for a Live Match... Chinese Football Fans Say "We Paid for These Seats"
by Bang Jeil
Published 29 Sep.2025 08:54(KST)
Bricks Left Over from Stadium Construction Used for Seats
"Tree-Branch Seats" Officially Offered at Previous Match
Only Three People Allowed Per Tree
A regional football association in China has drawn attention by offering not only "tree-branch seats" but also "brick seats" for soccer fans when regular stadium seating was unavailable. On September 29, Yonhap News TV, citing local media such as Jimu News, reported that the Yongzhou Football Association, which competes in the Hunan Super League, provided "brick seats" for spectators on September 26. As the name suggests, brick seats are spots where fans stand on bricks to watch soccer matches taking place beyond the stadium fence. The association explained, "We have single and double seats, and since the bricks are leftover from the stadium construction, they can support up to 160 kilograms."
Chinese soccer fans are standing on bricks to watch a soccer match taking place beyond the fence. Photo by Jimu News
원본보기 아이콘Previously, on September 21, the Yongzhou Football Association attracted attention by offering "tree-hanging tickets," allowing spectators to watch soccer matches while hanging from trees. Yongzhou FC, which uses this stadium as its home ground, has become very popular among local residents. However, after renovation work reduced the stadium's capacity, it became difficult to obtain tickets, leading to these unconventional measures. Ahead of the second round of the Super League, as complaints from fans about the lack of seats grew, the Yongzhou Football Association allowed fans to climb trees outside the stadium to watch the matches. However, "tree-branch seats" were only provided to those who met certain age and physical requirements.
On the 21st, the Yongzhou Football Association attracted attention by offering 'Tickets Hanging from Trees,' allowing spectators to watch soccer matches while hanging from trees. Jimu News
원본보기 아이콘These seats are available only to adults between the ages of 18 and 40, and up to three people weighing no more than 80 kilograms each are allowed per tree. Additional rules state, "Do not shake the branches to celebrate when a goal is scored," and "There are risks such as being hit by bird droppings, but spectators must take responsibility for themselves." Online commenters who saw these seats shared a variety of opinions, such as, "It looks much more fun than watching from inside the stadium," "It's hilarious that this is actually a legal way to watch," and "Who is responsible if the tree breaks?" One netizen who actually watched a match from a brick seat even commented, "It boasts a 360-degree panoramic view."
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