Paris Saint-Germain Expands Academy Network into Guangdong as Part of Long-Term China Strategy.

Roger Hampel

Image: Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain has opened a new academy in Guangdong Province, China, extending its football education network into one of the country’s most economically and demographically significant regions. The project is delivered through a partnership with Shenzhen Premier Sports & Events Management Limited and builds on PSG’s existing academy presence in Hong Kong and Macao.

The launch marks a further step in PSG’s structured approach to market development in China, where the club has prioritised academies, local partnerships and youth engagement over short-term commercial activations.

Greater Bay Area as a Strategic Focus Paris Saint-Germain

The Guangdong academy forms part of PSG’s broader activity within the Greater Bay Area (GBA), a cross-border economic zone linking Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. Over the past two years, PSG has used this framework to organise youth tournaments, training camps and regional competitions designed to connect academy operations across multiple cities.

Earlier in 2025, the club staged youth tournaments in Hong Kong and Macao under the PSG Academy banner, followed by a first tournament event in Guangdong linked to the GBA Cup 2025, involving 14 teams and approximately 350 young players. These events provided an operational foundation for the permanent academy launch.

Academy Model and Operational Scope

PSG Academy Guangdong will operate training centres and camps across the province for boys and girls aged 4 to 18, using the club’s standardised academy curriculum. Coaching will be delivered by certified staff following PSG’s official methodology, with pathways to international academy events within the club’s global network.

As with other PSG academies worldwide, the focus is on structured training, coach education and participation rather than mass recruitment or immediate talent extraction. Selected players may take part in international events such as the PSG Academy World Cup in Paris, reinforcing the link between local programmes and the club’s global ecosystem.

Academy Expansion as Market Infrastructure

China remains a strategically important territory for PSG, not only due to its population scale but also because of rising youth participation and institutional support for football development. Academy projects allow European clubs to maintain continuous presence regardless of first-team touring schedules or broadcast cycles.

The partnership with Shenzhen Premier Sports & Events Management Limited provides local operational capacity, regulatory familiarity and access to existing sports networks. This partnership-based model reduces execution risk while allowing PSG to retain control over technical standards and brand application.

PSG’s Global Academy Network

With the launch in Guangdong, PSG’s academy network now spans more than 21 countries, positioning the club among the most geographically diversified academy operators in global football. Rather than concentrating solely on elite talent production, the network supports long-term brand presence and cultural alignment in key international markets.