Abstract: Using the methods of in-depth interview and literature analysis and so on, the paper analyzes the development process, social structure, era characteristics and influencing factors of the Hakka football culture of Meizhou. The results show that with the intensification of social transformation process, improvement of living standard, civil society organizations, cultural heritage model, cultural heritage system in Meizhou have significantly influenced the development of Meizhou football culture. On this basis, the paper puts forward the social construction mode of villagers’ autonomy as the core of the protection of sports intangible cultural heritage in Meizhou.

Key words: protection of sports intangible cultural heritage, social construction, Hakka culture, football culture