Dalian will invest 12 billion yuan ($1.8 billion) in a football-themed characteristic town over the next five years.

The Lyushunkou district government of Dalian city has recently signed a contract with Dalian Football Town Industry Development Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Renhe Commercial Holdings, to invest 12 billion yuan in turning 4,550 square kilometers of land into a characteristic town focused on football.

The project is scheduled to start in September and expected to finish in 2023. According to the developer, the town is expected to generate 1 billion yuan in annual revenue and provide about 10,000 jobs to locals.

Su Shigong, vice-president of Renhe, said the town is aiming to cultivate more talent in competitive sports and attract more tourists.

"With a football theme, the town can develop industries combining sports, culture and tourism," he added.

"Dalian has always been the football city in China as the city's football team and players have achieved many outstanding awards," Xia Deyong, vice-governor of the district, said. "Lyushunkou district has established infrastructure for a number of competitive sports such as hockey and bicycle motocross. We believe the football town in the future will play a significant role in making Dalian, even China, more competitive in this particular sport."

Sportbank, a Beijing-based sports industry think tank, was behind the planning of the characteristic town. The company is also helping to introduce games, contests and events into the town, which is planned to open in 2023.