Source: Peatix

Sports clubs are fun even off the pitch!
"Off the Pitch" is a talk event that invites guests who are involved in professional sports clubs in various ways, such as front desk staff and activation staff from sponsor companies, to talk about the appeal of their jobs, brag about their own clubs, and share their concerns.

The second event, "2025 Summer"

Why? How? Did you become a club staff member? A session to hear about the careers of club staff members
<Special Feature> Hearing about the National Stadium Tournament: Marketing Aims of the J.League and Clubs
What do you think about and what do you create? Sports illustration and design group
The event will be held in three parts:

This event will allow you to come home from work on a weekday night, take out the uniform that you couldn't wear over the weekend from your bag, and enjoy watching soccer with a beer in hand, making your soccer watching even more enjoyable!

Date: Friday, September 5, 2025
OPEN 18:15 START 19:00 END 21:30 (scheduled)
Venue: Tokyo Culture Culture (Shibuya)

General admission: 3,500 yen
J.League club personnel: 2,000 yen (business cards will be required at the reception on the day)
(*Please make at least one order at the venue)
Ticket sales: July 31st (Wed) 6pm

*There are no plans to stream the event.

[1st leg.]
Why? How? Did you become a club staff member? A session to hear about the careers of club staff members

Shimazu Yasumi (@frontale_staff)
(Kawasaki Frontale Football Business Management Division, Promotion Department, Events Group)

Born and raised in Kawasaki, he has been a Frontale supporter for 20 years.
I joined Shinagawa CC as a new graduate and then transferred there in December of last year.
We are currently working hard on planning and managing home game events and hometown activities in Takatsu Ward, Kawasaki City!

Sayo Shibata (@jubilo_shop)
(Group Leader, Equipment Group, Operations Department, Business Headquarters, Jubilo Iwata)

Born in Tokyo.
In his previous job, he was involved in domestic business related to European football, and joined Jubilo Iwata in 2018.
After working in public relations, he is currently in charge of merchandise planning and sales.

Daichi Akiyama (@akiyama260728)
(Nankatsu SC Academy Coach and Sales Department)

He joined Cerezo Osaka in 2013 and played for nine years, including loan transfers, before retiring after three years with Nankatsu SC.
He is currently working as an academy coach and sales representative at the club. He has many hobbies, but tends to leave them all half-finished, so he is currently considering decluttering his hobbies.

[2nd leg.]
<Special Feature> Meeting to hear about the Kunitachi event
League and club marketing objectives

Shohei Takebuchi (@J_League)
(Director of Marketing, J.League Business Marketing Division)

After joining Milbon Co., Ltd., he led the company's new brands, launching e-commerce businesses, and brand strategies.
He joined J.League in 2024. From 2025, he will be responsible for areas such as customer acquisition and CRM at the J.League Business Marketing Headquarters.

Atsushi Kojima (@jef_united)
(Marketing Group Manager, Fan Engagement Department, JEF United Chiba)

He joined the company in 2014 after working for a city bank for six years and a TV station for six and a half years.
After six years in sponsorship sales, he is now in charge of marketing and public relations.
He has been in charge of marketing for the past two years, and is mainly involved in attracting customers to the stadium.
The person he respects is Fujio Akatsuka. His motto is "Timing is important in life and in omelets."

[3rd leg.]
What do you think about and what do you create? Sports illustration and design group

Shigeki Morimoto (@hummel_JP)
(SSK Corporation Marketing Team)

In charge of PR for Danish sports brand hummel, she is mainly involved in team and SDG initiatives.
I get excited about winning and losing, but I like the breadth of what surrounds sports.

FC Saeki (@3eki)
(Illustrator)

Illustrator living in Osaka.
He specializes in dynamic illustrations and portraits.
Since 2022, he has been in charge of the FC Tokyo x Mecha Comic collaboration project "Mecha Koma."
Responsible for illustrations for FC Tokyo Players Association merchandise in 2024.
I like Gamba Osaka.


Riota (@riota2gaoe)
(Illustrator)

An illustrator who draws a variety of illustrations, mainly for official, advertising, and administrative scenes.
He specializes in sports scenes, and with his unique illustration and design sense, he has worked on numerous official visual merchandise for professional baseball teams, including advertisements for the J.League opening.

[Moderator]


Kaoru Aoyama (@sweet_jef_music)
I started my own business in 2020 because I wanted to go on all the expeditions.
The company has signed a contract to become an assist sponsor for JEF United Chiba and an official partner for the local Nankatsu SC.
Although he is involved in many entertainment-related businesses, his first career actually began as a producer of talk events.
Recently, I've been thinking about whether to get a second "Mega Big Jeffy" through hometown tax donations.

[Q&A]
Q. Can supporters of clubs other than the speakers also participate?
A.Of course you are welcome. It's more fun when the audience is colorful.

Q. Is there a dress code on the day?
A. Nothing in particular. The speakers will probably be wearing their team uniforms.

Q. Can I eat and drink at the venue?
A.The venue, Tokyo Culture Culture, is an event house-style restaurant, so food and drinks will be provided.
It is a cash-on-delivery system, so please order and pick up your food and drinks at the counter.
This is a drinking party for J.League fans and club staff, so there's no need to be too formal.

Q. Can minors/20-year-olds participate?
of course!
Please note that as we are a restaurant, we may ask for your age when ordering drinks.

Q. I will be late for work-related reasons...
A.We are planning to hold the event in a format that allows unreserved seating and makes it easy to move between seats.
Please feel free to come and visit.

Q. Can I post about the event on social media?
A.You are welcome to join! Please use the hashtag "#OffThePitch" when posting.
However, please be aware that off-the-record topics may come up during the event.
(If it is off the record, some kind of signal will be given, such as holding up the referee flag sideways.)
Also, please be considerate to avoid capturing the faces of attendees in photographs, except on stage.

Venue