September 6: CCTV Did Not Broadcast Chengdu Rongcheng's Potential Title-Winning Match; 14-Point Lead Meets Eight-Round One-Win Slump, Felipe Suspension Adds Uncertainty

Chengdu Rongcheng have a chance this weekend to lift the first Chinese Super League trophy in club history at Zhengzhou Hanghai Stadium, but the match cannot be found on CCTV Sports' broadcast schedule.

At 19:35 on September 6, Henan FC will host Chengdu Rongcheng in CSL Round 26. Migu Video will provide both free and paid live streams as usual, while CCTV allocated this round's broadcast resources to Beijing Guoan vs Shanghai Port, Shandong Taishan vs Dalian Yingbo, and Qingdao Hainiu vs Tianjin Jinmen Tiger.

A title race match that could reshape the landscape of western Chinese football has disappeared from mainstream public broadcast channels.

The reason this issue stands out is not only the absence of the broadcast itself. After Round 25, Chengdu Rongcheng sit top of the table with 51 points, 14 points ahead of second place. Under CSL rules, even if the second-place team wins all remaining five matches, it can only reach 52 points. A win in this round would lift Rongcheng to 54 points and secure the championship directly.

In other words, this is not a match where they can theoretically win the title; it is a match where a victory means immediate coronation. CCTV's broadcast schedules are usually made two to three weeks in advance. At that time, Rongcheng's lead had not yet become a mathematical certainty, and not making a temporary adjustment after the schedule was set is an explanation that fits normal industry practice.

However, previous seasons have also seen CCTV temporarily replace scheduled broadcasts with key title-deciding matches before kickoff, so the scheduling gap cannot fully settle the matter.

Another possibility is that other matches in this round received higher broadcast priority. Guoan's match against Shanghai Port directly affects next season's AFC Champions League Elite qualification, while several relegation battles involve the survival of multiple teams. These matches may not rank below a league-leading team's away game in CCTV's scheduling system.

However, a title-clinching match that could create history for western Chinese football usually carries greater broadcasting value than ordinary qualification or relegation matches, so this explanation also has limits. Another view points to the past rivalry between the two teams. Henan FC have recorded four wins and one loss in their last five meetings with Chengdu Rongcheng. Since Rongcheng were promoted to the CSL, they have never taken three points away from Hanghai Stadium. Before the match, Henan head coach Ramos clearly stated that “they will not let the opponent easily take a victory here,” and the atmosphere between the sides had already intensified.

However, more intense CSL matches this season have still been included in CCTV's broadcast schedule, meaning potential stadium order risks alone cannot explain this absence.

What truly makes this match complicated is Rongcheng's own form. They have won only one of their last eight league matches, and their shot conversion rate has fallen from 17% in the first half of the season to 6%. Leading scorer Felipe has scored 17 league goals and provided three assists this season, but he triggered a suspension clause after accumulating yellow cards and missing two consecutive matches, meaning he cannot play in this game.

Baihelamu and Romulo have entered the starting lineup candidates, requiring a new attacking combination. In contrast, Henan FC have drawn four and lost one of their last five matches, conceding only 0.8 goals per game at home and showing strong defensive stability. A league leader with declining attacking efficiency and no main striker must complete a title celebration away at a stadium where they have never won, against a defensively strong home side that has vowed not to become a backdrop, making the challenge significant.

Looking at a longer period, Rongcheng's problems did not appear suddenly. They have drawn all of their last five matches, repeatedly failing to turn advantages into victories, and their control when leading has clearly declined. Although Henan's win rate is not high, they have remained unbeaten against teams near the top of the table, and have conceded only eight home goals this season.

Taken together, these two sets of data show that the suspense of this potential title match is not only about who broadcasts it, but also about whether Rongcheng can overcome their own obstacles away from home.

From a rules perspective, the CSL owns the public signal production rights, and each rights-holding broadcaster can independently choose key matches. There is no mandatory requirement to broadcast every match involving the league leader. This means CCTV's choice does not violate regulations, but it leaves a communication-related regret: many fans hoping to witness the birth of western China's first CSL champion can only turn to platforms such as Migu.

The other three selected matches in the same round each have their own season objectives, including AFC Champions League qualification and relegation battles, but none carries the significance of a first-ever achievement.

For Rongcheng, the result of this match directly determines the direction of their season. A win means the title, giving the club its first CSL championship, while captain Wei Shihao would become a new symbolic figure for western Chinese football. A loss or draw would delay the title, while Felipe's suspension period and the remaining schedule density would become new variables.

For Henan FC, successfully stopping Rongcheng at home would provide a meaningful late-season victory, and Ramos' tactical plans and the players' execution would be tested. For teams competing for AFC qualification and survival, the result of this round will also indirectly affect the final points landscape.

Currently, there is no official document explaining why CCTV did not include this match in its broadcast schedule. The three explanations each have supporting points and counterexamples, so the final judgment can only come from the result of the September 6 evening match and further statements from the parties involved afterward. One thing is certain: regardless of where the broadcast signal reaches, the historical significance of this match will not be reduced by the absence of one channel. Whether Chengdu Rongcheng can complete the coronation at a ground they have never conquered, on a night without their key striker, is the real suspense of the weekend.

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