League One division one side Honda Heat are set to relocate from Suzuka City in Mie Prefecture to Utsunomiya City in Tochigi – next to parent company Honda’s offices and production facilities - in time for the 2026-27 season.
Kieran Crowley’s side finished 11th last season and edged division two side Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi in the two-leg relegation/promotion play-off games to retain their top-flight spot.
The club was founded in 1961 and for over 60 years has been operating in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture.
A club statement released on Thursday said: “As the team continues to strengthen with the aim of becoming the best in Japan three years from now, the relocation of the team's base of operations will enable a wider range of people to see Mie Honda Heat take on the challenge.
“In Mie Prefecture, where the Mie Honda Heat originated, the team will continue to interact with the local community through rugby, including triumphant returns, even after the team's base of operations is relocated.”
Honda, who recruited heavily in the off-season including bringing back Japan international Lomano Lemeki back to the club on a lucrative three-year deal, announced that their main home stadium after the move will be Tochigi Green Stadium.
Second division football side Tochigi SC currently plays at Tochigi Green Stadium but are in a relegation fight to avoid dropping to the J3 League.
Honda said they will still play games in Mie Prefecture even after relocating over 600 kilometres away.
Honda’s dwindling attendance numbers have been cited as one of the main reasons for the move. Despite boasting world-class players such as Springboks lock Franco Mostert and Los Pumas star Pablo Matera, the division one strugglers attracted an average crowd of only 3,000 fans last season which is one-third of the average attendance figure in the top-flight.
The club was lacking marquee Japanese international figures and has moved to try and fill that void by re-signing 35-year-old Lemeki from division two outfit the Green Rockets.
General Manager Yoshito Maeda said: “In an era where League One rugby teams are expected to go beyond the framework of a corporate sports club and are expected to have greater business viability, profits, contributions to the local community, and corporate PR, the team has decided to relocate to Tochigi Prefecture in order to enable the team to continue to demonstrate its strengths in a sustainable and developing manner.
“Although the team's base of operations will change, they plan to continue playing matches, promoting the team, and engaging in community service activities within Mie Prefecture after the relocation.”
Honda captain Takumi Fujii said: “We would like to become an even stronger and more attractive team so that Heat fans, especially those in Mie Prefecture, will continue to support us as they have done until now, even after the Mie Honda Heat moves to Tochigi Prefecture.”
Honda hosts Shizuoka Blue Revs at Honda Active Land on Saturday 28 September in their latest pre-season game for the 2024-25 season.
Picture courtesy of Honda Heat
Comments