December 19, 2024 at 1:22 AM

Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s New Stadium Boosts Fan Engagement

Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s new stadium, Peace Wing, has increased attendance and strengthened its presence in the city, drawing over 400,000 spectators this season.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s New Stadium Boosts Fan Engagement

Sanfrecce Hiroshima, one of Japan’s leading football clubs, has seen a surge in popularity this season, thanks to their newly constructed stadium, Peace Wing. The club, which has previously won three J-League titles between 2012 and 2015, hopes to maintain its competitive edge and attract more fans.

The team has been selling out tickets for most of its matches this season. The stadium, with a capacity of 30,000, has hosted over 400,000 spectators, a significant improvement for the club. According to Yoshinori Hirotomo, a club official, "Previously, the baseball team Hiroshima Carp dominated local sports attention. However, the completion of Peace Wing has changed that dynamic, making Sanfrecce more prominent in the city."

Yuji Osako, one of the team's players, remarked on the cultural shift: "In the past, it was common to see fans wearing Carp jerseys around the city. Now, more people proudly wear Sanfrecce's purple colors. Even Carp fans attend our games after their matches, fostering a unified sports culture in Hiroshima."

Sanfrecce Hiroshima aims to build on this momentum despite challenges such as the departure of influential midfielder Yasuhiro Kawamura, who recently moved abroad. The club is determined to find new ways to remain competitive and enhance its appeal to fans both locally and nationally.