Regarding the Merger of FC Tokyo and Sfida Setagaya FC
We are pleased to announce that FC Tokyo (Tokyo Football Club Co., Ltd.) and Sfida Setagaya FC (Specified Nonprofit Corporation Sfida), which belongs to 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 regarding future team management and coordinate with relevant parties to continue participating in the Nadeshiko League for the 2027 season.
Background
In recent years, women's soccer has significantly grown in both competitive level and popularity, especially in Europe, with top clubs worldwide positioning their women's teams as key pillars of their organizations. This trend has also reached Asia, where the social and cultural value of women's soccer continues to increase year by year.
FC Tokyo aims to expand the value of soccer, regardless of men's or women's teams, as a club representing Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, and to enhance the significance of the club's existence.
On the other hand, Sfida Setagaya FC has been a pillar supporting women's soccer in Japan for many years, 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 have aligned, and we have reached a basic agreement on the merger.
Vision through Integration
・To become the overwhelmingly top club in Tokyo for both men and women.
・To comprehensively strengthen the competitive ability, development, and business foundation of women's soccer, aim to win the Nadeshiko League Division 1 and become the best in Japan.
・Advance club development with a view to future entry into the WE League.
By combining FC Tokyo's cultivated brand power, club management, business know-how, and network with Sfida Setagaya FC's on-the-ground expertise in women's soccer, development, and promotion knowledge, we aim to create a women's soccer team equipped with both business strength and competitiveness.
Specified Nonprofit Corporation Sfida Chairman Yoshihiko Inada Comments
We are 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, we aim to strongly lead women's soccer from the capital, Tokyo, and continue to challenge ourselves together while building a relationship of mutual growth.
Tokyo Football Club Co., Ltd. President and CEO Shigeya Kawagishi Comments
We are very pleased to have reached an agreement to move forward with the project together with Sfida Setagaya FC.
As FC Tokyo, we have felt the challenge of not being able to engage in women's soccer, and have been considering various methods. In that context, we encountered Sfida Setagaya FC. Through discussions, we confirmed that both parties share the same vision. From the capital, Tokyo, we will work together with Sfida Setagaya FC to ensure that "FC Tokyo Sfida" becomes a leading presence in the women's soccer world.
