VfB Stuttgart Launches Youth Football Exchange Programme With Chinese City of Nanjing.

Roger Hampel

Image: VfB Stuttgart

VfB Stuttgart has launched a youth football exchange programme in partnership with the Chinese city of Nanjing, marking a new step in the Bundesliga club’s international development strategy.

The initiative will be implemented through the VfB Football School, with football activities expected to reach approximately 350 schools across the Nanjing region. The programme aims to introduce structured football training for children and teenagers while also supporting the development of local coaches and teachers.

The cooperation builds on the long-standing city partnership between Stuttgart and Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province, which is Baden-Württemberg’s partner region in China.

Grassroots Football Development Across Schools VfB Stuttgart

Under the initiative, VfB Stuttgart’s football school will provide football training programmes designed for young players across schools in the Nanjing area. In addition to student participation, the project includes coach and educator training programmes, allowing local instructors to develop their football knowledge using training methods connected to the German club’s youth development structure.

The collaboration is designed to support grassroots football participation while strengthening sporting and cultural exchanges between Germany and China. The agreement was formally signed at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart by VfB Stuttgart CEO Alexander Wehrle, Hao Dong, Director General of the regional football association in Jiangsu, and Zhongjun Li, Mayor of Nanjing.

China Remains a Strategic Market for German Football

China has long been considered one of the most important international markets for German professional football, with Bundesliga clubs and governing bodies actively exploring partnerships related to youth development, education programmes and commercial engagement.

Initiatives involving youth football schools and training exchanges are commonly used by European clubs to strengthen international brand recognition while supporting grassroots development in emerging football markets. For VfB Stuttgart, the cooperation with Nanjing aligns with broader efforts across the Bundesliga ecosystem to maintain strong connections with Chinese football institutions.

Executive Comment

VfB Stuttgart CEO Alexander Wehrle said the programme reflects football’s role as a platform for international cultural exchange.

“Football connects people around the world and offers many opportunities for intercultural exchange, especially for children and young people. With the right programmes and concepts, football can become a bridge between cultures.”

Wehrle also highlighted the importance of cooperation between German and Chinese football organisations, noting that China remains a key international market for the Bundesliga.