The Chinese FA Cup has announced that the semi-finals will be played on a home-and-away basis, with the first leg of each match scheduled for next month.

This decision was made in response to concerns raised by clubs about the travel and quarantine requirements associated with hosting games at neutral venues. The new format means that both teams will play their home game at the venue of the other team's away fixture, with each team playing two matches over the course of the tournament.

The first leg of the semi-final series will take place on the first weekend of November, while the second leg will be held later in the month. This means that the two-legged format is now more similar to that used in European football, where teams play one game at home and one away.

The introduction of this new format comes as a relief to many clubs who have been struggling to find suitable venues for hosting the competition. However, it also raises questions about the fairness of the system, given that some teams may have access to better facilities than others.

Overall, however, the new format should provide a more competitive and exciting FA Cup tournament for fans, with both teams having the opportunity to showcase their best players and tactics.