Nagasaki, Japan, has officially welcomed its new sports complex, Nagasaki Stadium City, featuring both Peace Stadium and Happiness Arena, marking the arrival of a vibrant hub for local professional sports. The grand opening took place amid great anticipation from the community, with both V. Varen Nagasaki and Nagasaki Velca, two local professional teams, poised to make their mark in this state-of-the-art venue.
The complex, constructed at a significant investment of approximately ¥100 billion by Japanet Holdings, is strategically located just 10 minutes on foot from Nagasaki Station. This ambitious project, nearly six years in the making, serves as the new home for the soccer team, V. Varen Nagasaki, which competes in Japan's J2 league, and the basketball team, Nagasaki Velca, which plays in B1.
The opening events started before the formal launch with Happiness Arena hosting its inaugural match on September 14, 2023. The pre-season match drew considerable attention as it saw around 6,000 fans attend, with long lines forming before gates opened. Despite their loss to Ryukyu, fans embraced the historic day with enthusiasm.
Peace Stadium, which boasts seating for over 20,000 fans, celebrated its first match on October 6, 2023. The highly anticipated 'Kyushu Derby' against Oita saw more than 19,000 spectators fill the stands to cheer on their team. The closeness of the pitch to the spectators, just five meters, enhanced the atmosphere, making it unique among Japanese stadiums.
Responding to the electric energy of the crowd, V. Varen Nagasaki triumphed with four goals against Oita, igniting excitement among fans and players alike. Shimozono expressed his delight, stating, "The atmosphere was fantastic. Many people worked hard to make this happen, and it felt good to respond to their efforts."
The performance of V. Varen continued to impress, as they maintained their home dominance, winning all three of their matches following the opening game and keeping alive hopes for J1 automatic promotion. Currently sitting third, just one point behind the promotion play-offs, the team is poised for upcoming challenges as they push toward their goals.
Nagasaki Velca is also setting high expectations for the season, with their coach promising, "We are aiming for the playoffs as our minimum objective." While they have had mixed results early on, the energy generated by their new arena offers the team the potential to rally support as the season progresses.
Both teams recognize the importance of the new venues not just for their game performances, but as catalysts for fostering community engagement. The excitement generated by the start of the season, along with the modern amenities and accessibility of the stadiums, are pivotal for attracting fans and potentially revitalizing the local economy.
Long-time sports enthusiasts and new fans alike are eager to witness the impact of Nagasaki Stadium City on both local teams. With the commitment from both clubs to deliver captivating performances and results, the potential for growth and excitement in Nagasaki's sports culture is considerable.
Looking forward, stakeholders hope to see continued success and engagement at Nagasaki Stadium City, expecting it will also play host to various events beyond just sports, thereby helping to unify and energize the local community.
