Osaka’s sports teams and orgs
have come together in support of the
LGBTQ community with
the Sports Pride Promotion campaign!
With Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai coming soon, all eyes from around the world are on Osaka.
As Osaka aims to become Asia’s number one LGBTQ-friendly city,
the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau is collaborating with local sports teams and
organizations to express support for the LGBTQ community with the Sports Pride Promotion campaign,
where athletes and players will wear rainbow-colored accessories and uniforms during select matches.
With Asia’s first-ever IGLTA (International LGBTQ+ Travel Association)
Global Convention coming to Osaka in 2024,
Osaka is ready to show the world just how diverse and friendly a destination it is for all travelers.
Campaign Overview
The jerseys, captain’s armbands, and more worn by athletes
will feature rainbow colors to signify support for the LGBTQ community.
Specific items vary by match.
Venues for participating matches will also be holding lotteries for visitors to
win autographed goods of each sports team if you answer a
questionnaire! Overseas visitors can receive a special English
leaflet produced by Time Out Osaka that features 10 LGBTQ-friendly spots across Osaka.
Visitors from within Japan can earn a chance to win autographed goods
through the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau’s official LINE account, supported by NEC.
10/21（Sat）
Captain’s mark worn by Gamba Osaka
10/14（Sat）
Uniform worn by the Hanazono Kintestu Liners
Collaborating Sports Teams and Organizations
RUGBY
Hanazono Kintestu Liners
The club philosophy of the Hanazono Kintestu Liners is to inspire as many people as possible by playing a role as the leader in sports culture and developing sports business through rugby.
They will continue to train every day and never lose sight on challenging themselves as an “organization that fights to win.”
SCHEDULE
- Hanazono Kintestu Liners vs Melbourne Rebels
- 2023/10/14（Sat）
- Venue：Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka
RedHurricanes Osaka
The goal of the “Red Hurricanes Osaka” rugby team is to become an indispensable part of their host town of “Osaka.” Their value lies in their connection to the region and people. This season, they are battling it out on the Div.2 stage of the Japan Rugby League One.
SCHEDULE
- RedHurricanes Osaka vs NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu
- 2024/1/13（Sat） 12:00～
- Venue：Yodoko Sakura Stadium
NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu
A rugby team that plays under NTT Japan Rugby League One, centering Abiko city where it’s training hub is located with 7 cities as its host areas in the Higashi-Katsu area , which are Kashiwa, Matsudo, Nagareyama, Noda, Kamagaya, Inzai, and Usui.
A team working towards becoming a loved presence in their region, as well as being promoted to Division 1.
SCHEDULE
- NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu vs RedHurricanes Osaka
- 2024/3/10（Sun） 14:30～
- Venue：Kashiwanoha Park General Stadium
SOCCER
Gamba Osaka
Ever since the inception of the J League in 1991, Gamba Osaka has won numerous titles both in Japan and overseas. In 2022, Gamba Osaka has rebuilt their brand to take their next ambitious step towards becoming “Japan’s Best Sport Experience Brand.” Under their brand theme of “Be The Heat, Be The Heart,” Gamba Osaka seeks to be a club that unites the people and Gamba Osaka together to create an experience that goes beyond the field while involving their fans and the region.
SCHEDULE
- Gamba Osaka vs Nagoya Grampus
- 2023/10/21（Sat） 14:00～
- Venue：Panasonic Stadium Suita
BASKETBALL
Osaka Evessa
Osaka’s only professional basketball team that plays under the B. League B1. The origin of the team name comes from the story of “Ebisu-sama,” the god of business prosperity and one of the seven gods of fortune. Since the people in Osaka affectionately call him “Ebessan,” the team was named that way in the hopes that it will revitalize Osaka, the city of humanity, laughter, and business.
SCHEDULE
- Osaka Evessa vs Ryukyu Golden Kings
- 2023/12/6（Wed）
- Venue：Maishima Arena
VOLLEYBALL
JT Marvelous
https://www.jti.co.jp/sports/marvelous/index.html
JT Marvelous is a volleyball team that competes under the V. League. As a team that is closely tied to their hometown of Hyogo and Osaka, they actively contribute to the society like holding “Volleyball Class” not only in local municipalities, but also in various regions. This women’s volleyball team is comprised of various unique players.
SCHEDULE
- JT Marvelous vs KUROBE
- 2023/11/11（Sat） 13:00～
- Venue：Maishima Arena
- JT Marvelous vs PFU
- 2023/11/12（Sun） 13:00～
- Venue：Maishima Arena
Suntory Sunbirds
https://www.suntory.co.jp/culture-sports/sunbirds/
The Suntory Sunbirds are based in Minoh city, Osaka, and are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their founding this year (founded in 1973).
After becoming the first Japanese team to win the Asia Club Championship in May, they are now aiming to win a medal at the World Club Championship in December.
SCHEDULE
- SUNTORY SUNBIRDS vs Panasonic Panthers
- 2024/2/3（Sat）12:00～
- Venue：Maishima Arena
Panasonic Panthers
https://panasonic.co.jp/sports/volleyball/
A men’s volleyball club that is based in Hirakata city. They are the inaugural champion of the V. League, that had 2 consecutive league titles and won 3 titles 3 times including the Emperor’s Cup and the Kurowashiki All Japan Volleyball Tournament for the first time in history. The team roster boasts 6 members from the Japan National team, including Yamauchi, Nishida, Yamamoto, Otsuka, Nishiyama, and Evbade-dan. The name of the club describes their fierce and agile playing just like how a panther stalks its prey, which also reminiscent of ball rushes through the court.
SCHEDULE
- Panasonic Panthers vs Suntory Sunbirds
- 2024/3/2（Sat）14:00～
- Venue：Panasonic Arena
PROFESSIONAL
WRESTLING
Osaka ProWres
An entertaining battle full of laughter, tears and passion!!
Osaka ProWres boasts the most number of unique masked wrestlers of Japan in their roster, including Ebessan, Kuishinbo-Kamen, Tigers-Mask, etc.
They feature a variety of matches, from Japanese Strong-Style, to the speedy skill battles and beautiful flying attacks of Lucha Libre Mexican-style wrestling.
Osaka ProWres offers not only wild and crazy battles, but also funny and hysterical matches unique to them.
SCHEDULE
- Osaka ProWres
- 2024/3/16（Sat）11:00～
- Venue：Furari Kyobashi
Match Schedule
| Date & Time | Team Name | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 10/14（Sat） 14:00～ | Hanazono Kintestu Liners vs Melbourne Rebels | Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka |
| 10/21（Sat） 14:00～ | Gamba Osaka vs Nagoya Grampus | Panasonic Stadium Suita |
| 11/11（Sat） 13:00～ | JT Marvelous vs KUROBE | Maishima Arena |
| 11/12（Sun） 13:00～ | JT Marvelous vs PFU | Maishima Arena |
| 12/6（Wed） 19:05～ | Osaka Evessa vs Ryukyu Golden Kings | Maishima Arena |
| 2024/1/13（Sat） 12:00～ | RedHurricanes Osaka vs NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu | Yodoko Sakura Stadium |
| 2024/2/3（Sat） 12:00～ | Suntory Sunbirds vs Panasonic Panthers | Maishima Arena |
| 2024/3/2（Sat） 14:00～ | Panasonic Panthers vs Suntory Sunbirds | Panasonic Arena |
| 2024/3/10（Sun） 14:30～ | NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu vs RedHurricanes Osaka | Kashiwanoha Park General Stadium |
| 2024/3/16（Sat） 11:00～ | Osaka ProWres | Furari Kyobashi |
