Regarding the Merger of FC Tokyo and Sfida Setagaya FC
We hereby announce that FC Tokyo (Tokyo Football Club Co., Ltd.) and Sfida Setagaya FC (Specified Nonprofit Corporation Sfida), a member of the Nadeshiko League Division 1, have reached a basic agreement to merge starting in 2027.
Sfida Setagaya FC will compete as "Sfida Setagaya FC" in the 2026 season and will be renamed "FC Tokyo Sfida" starting from the 2027 season.
Both clubs will finalize the details of future team management and coordinate with relevant parties to continue participating in the Nadeshiko League in the 2027 season.
Background
In recent years, women's soccer has grown significantly in both competitive level and attention, especially in Europe, with a global trend of top clubs positioning their women's teams as an important pillar of the club. This trend has also reached Asia, and the social and cultural value of women's soccer continues to increase year by year.
As a club representing Tokyo, the capital of Japan, FC Tokyo aims to expand the value of soccer regardless of gender and enhance the club's significance.
Meanwhile, Sfida Setagaya FC has long been a pillar supporting women's soccer in Japan, from the top team to development and promotion, and has been exploring ways to take on the next stage to further advance its progress.
The intentions of both clubs aligned, and we have reached a basic agreement on the integration.
Vision for the Integration
・To become the overwhelmingly top club in Tokyo for both men’s and women’s teams.
・To comprehensively strengthen the competitive ability, development, and business foundation of women's soccer, aiming to win the Nadeshiko League Division 1 and become the best in Japan.
・To advance club development with a view toward future participation in the WE League.
By combining the brand strength, club management, business know-how, and network cultivated by FC Tokyo with the on-the-ground expertise, development, and promotion knowledge of women's soccer possessed by Sfida Setagaya FC, we aim to create a women's soccer team that possesses both business strength and competitiveness.
Comment from Yoshihiko Inada, Chairman of the Specified Nonprofit Corporation Sfida
I am very honored to have reached an agreement to integrate with FC Tokyo and work together to promote the development of women's soccer. Moving forward, through the well-established "FC Tokyo" brand in the soccer world and the Tokyo area, our goal is to strongly lead women's soccer from the capital, Tokyo. We aim to continue challenging ourselves together and build a relationship of mutual growth.
Shigeya Kawagishi, President and CEO of Tokyo Football Club Co., Ltd. - Comment
We are very pleased to have reached an agreement to move forward with a project together with Sfida Setagaya FC.
As FC Tokyo, we have felt a challenge in not being able to fully engage in women's soccer and have been considering various approaches. It was during this process that we encountered Sfida Setagaya FC. Through discussions, we confirmed that both parties share the same vision. Together with Sfida Setagaya FC, we will work to ensure that "FC Tokyo Sfida" becomes a leading presence in women's soccer from the capital, Tokyo.
