On February 8th (local time), CCTV's 2026 Spring Festival Gala promotional video was featured at a French Ligue 1 match, marking its first appearance in one of Europe's top five football leagues.

Spring Festival Gala promo reached 15,000 fans at the stadium through the venue's big screens.

Reporting from the Stade Abbé-Deschamps in Auxerre, northern France, CCTV correspondent Zhu Xuesong noted that multiple screens inside and outside the stadium displayed the Spring Festival Gala promotional video during the Ligue 1 match between Auxerre and Paris FC, bringing Chinese New Year spirit to the French football grounds.

Ligue 1, as one of Europe's top five leagues, represents France's highest tier of professional football and commands a significant following across Europe and worldwide. The Spring Festival Gala promotion ran on screens throughout the venue during pre-match warmup, halftime, and after the match, capturing the attention of the 15,000-strong crowd.

△Fans watch Spring Festival Gala promotion on stadium's big screen

AJ Auxerre has fostered strong connections with China over the years, regularly incorporating Chinese New Year celebrations into their match days. Club Executive President Baptiste Malherbe shared that Auxerre maintains a youth training academy in China and frequently hosts young Chinese players for training sessions. With an established fan base in China, the club actively embraces Chinese New Year celebrations and plans to continue the festivities during their upcoming match against Rennes to welcome the Year of the Horse.

△AJ Auxerre Club Executive President Baptiste Malherbe being interviewed by CCTV reporters

△AJ Auxerre Club Executive President Baptiste Malherbe presents a football as a gift to CCTV

Chinese New Year Spirit Fills AJ Auxerre's Stadium

On match day, Chinese New Year decorations were prominently displayed throughout AJ Auxerre's facilities. Traditional spring festival couplets and paper-cut designs adorned the windows, while red lanterns and Year of the Horse decorations brightened the players' rest area. These festive elements, alongside the Spring Festival Gala promotional video on the stadium's big screens, created an authentic celebration atmosphere.

△Chinese New Year decorations at AJ Auxerre club facilities

Annick Soto, Director of Auxerre Tourist Office, shared her appreciation for the diverse Spring Festival decorations and extended New Year greetings to Chinese viewers.

△Annick Soto, Director of Auxerre Tourist Office, being interviewed by CCTV reporters

Former French Professional Football Player Extends Chinese New Year Greetings

△Video | Former French international star and coach Djibril Cissé being interviewed by CCTV reporters

Former star of France's national team and coach Djibril Cissé also sent New Year wishes to Chinese audiences and expressed gratitude for the continued support from Chinese fans.

△The Ligue 1 match between Auxerre and Paris FC on February 8th ended in a 0-0 draw.

CCTV reporters Lin Hui, Dong Qiao, Zhu Xuesong