As the first round of the 2026 Guangdong City Football Super League (Yuechao) concluded, the hottest topic on and off the pitch was not the scores, but a witty remark from a netizen: "I strongly suggest changing the Yuechao slogan to 'late-night supper first, friendship second, competition third!'". This sparked a lively debate over whether late-night supper could indeed take the top spot.

This playful twist on the slogan is far more than just an internet meme; it is a vivid emotional expression of mass sports in Guangdong. Guangdong has long been celebrated as the place for food, and this passion is deeply ingrained in the mass sports life of its people. From dragon boat banquet following the races to sharing roasted pig and goose after the "Village BA" basketball tournament, food is the inevitable finale. This sense of relaxation amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life is precisely the soul of grassroots sports.

Does prioritizing late-night supper mean the match is being taken lightly? Quite the opposite. People in Guangdong have always been fiercely competitive, as evidenced by the close scores in Yuechao's opening round. However, beyond the outcome, true sportsmanship also encompasses the warmth of respecting opponents, enjoying the process, and embracing life. After giving their all on the pitch, players head straight to local Dai Pai Dongs (open-air food stalls) for a culinary "overtime session". Through food, opponents transform into friends, and human connections grow tighter amidst the rising steam of the night markets. The fans' obsession with "late-night supper first" is, in essence, an attempt to move beyond the narrow logic of winning or losing and to refocus on the most important element of sports: people.

In this sense, "late-night supper first" is a form of sportsmanship that is more grounded in reality. It shows us that sports are not just about competing for victory, but can also be a lifestyle, an emotional bond, and a vibrant love for life.

“宵夜第一”何尝不是另一种体育精神

2026年广东省城市足球超级联赛（粤超）首轮战罢，赛场内外最热的不是比分，而是网友的一句调侃：“强烈建议粤超口号改为‘宵夜第一，友谊第二，比赛第三’！”一场关于“宵夜能不能排第一”的论战，迅速升级。

这场趣味十足的口号变迁，绝非简单的网络玩梗，而是广东群众体育鲜活的情绪表达。食在广东。这份热爱也深深浸润在群众体育生活中。龙舟赛后吃龙船饭，村BA赛后分享烤猪、烧鹅，哪一样少得了吃？这种市井烟火中的“松弛感”，正是草根体育的灵魂所在。

把宵夜排第一，是不是不重视比赛？恰恰相反。广东人对待胜负从来认真，粤超首轮比分胶着就是明证。但在胜负之外，真正的体育精神同样包含尊重对手、享受过程、拥抱生活的温情一面。场上拼尽全力互不相让，场下直奔大排档开启“加时赛”，双方通过美食完成从对手到朋友的情感升华，人与人的联结在烟火氤氲中愈发紧密。球迷们对“宵夜第一”的执着，本质上是跳出单一的胜负逻辑，重新看到体育中更重要的“人”。

从这个意义上说，“宵夜第一”何尝不是另一种更贴近生活的体育精神？它让我们看见，体育不仅可以争胜，还能是一种生活方式、一种情感联结、一种热气腾腾的生活热爱。

文丨李妹妍
翻译丨徐芷晴
审校丨曾敏