Overcoming Distance and Physical Barriers with Technology, Making Friends Through Sports: '2026 Biogen Cup Remote Sports Tournament'

Biogen Japan Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Yukiyoshi Tsutae), Ory Lab Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Directors: Kentaro Yoshifuji, Masahiro Sasayama), and the Online Boccia Association (Location: Toda City, Saitama Prefecture; Representative: Hideharu Okawa) have decided to host the '2026 Biogen Cup Remote Sports Tournament,' a sports event that allows individuals with physical difficulties to participate remotely from distant locations such as their homes or hospital rooms. This year, the tournament will feature two competitions: 'OriHime Soccer' and 'Online Boccia.' The finals are scheduled for OriHime Soccer on Saturday, July 18, 2026, and for Online Boccia on Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, 2026.

The purpose of the tournament is for participants to experience the 'joy of playing sports' by collaborating as a team, strategizing, and engaging in fierce competition, despite various disabilities. Many past participants have been individuals who cannot move their bodies freely due to disabilities, with some even operating computers using eye-gaze input. Actual participants have shared feedback such as, 'I was always just observing during PE classes, but I'm happy to have the experience of playing sports with friends,' and 'As we fought together on the field, we developed a sense of camaraderie and became friends who kept in touch even after the tournament.'

Furthermore, with 2026 being a year of heightened global interest in soccer, the tournament plans to capitalize on this momentum by holding soccer competitions in the first half of the period. By leveraging this opportunity to attract widespread public interest, we aim to further boost the overall excitement of the tournament.

This tournament is organized by Biogen Japan Ltd., with the cooperation of Ory Lab Inc., the Online Boccia Association, and CAC Holdings Co., Ltd. For the latest information, please refer to the official 2026 tournament webpage: https://orihime.orylab.com/biogen-cup2026/

< Tournament Overview >

[OriHime Soccer Schedule]
■Finals: Scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026

■Practice sessions for participants: Scheduled on the following dates
1st session: Tuesday, May 12, 18:00-19:30
2nd session: Wednesday, May 27, 18:00-19:30

■Qualifying rounds
1st round: Thursday, June 11, 18:00-19:30
2nd round: Thursday, June 25, 18:00-19:30

[Online Boccia Schedule]
■Finals: Scheduled for Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, 2026

■Practice sessions for participants: Scheduled on the following dates
1st session: Thursday, June 4, 18:00-19:30
2nd session: Thursday, October 8, 18:00-19:30

■Organizer: Biogen Japan Ltd.
■Cooperation: Ory Lab Inc., Online Boccia Association, CAC Holdings Co., Ltd.
*In case of many applications, a lottery may be held.
■Eligible participants: ➀ Individuals aged 29 or younger who have difficulties playing sports.
➁ Individuals who can operate devices by themselves or with the assistance of a caregiver.
➂ Those who participate in the practice sessions can enter the main tournament.

■2026 Tournament Official Webpage: https://orihime.orylab.com/biogen-cup2026/

< Schedule and Details of the '2026 Biogen Cup Remote Sports Tournament' >

■ Practice sessions for participants: From May 2026
These practice sessions are for eligible individuals considering participation. Participants can remotely experience the two tournament events, 'OriHime Soccer' and 'Online Boccia,' from distant locations such as their homes or hospital rooms, and learn the rules and competition content. After this experience, they will decide which event to enter.

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Practice Session Schedule (Date/Time / Practice Event)

OriHime Soccer
1st session: Tuesday, May 12, 18:00-19:30
2nd session: Wednesday, May 27, 18:00-19:30
Online Boccia
1st session: Thursday, June 4, 18:00-19:30
2nd session: Thursday, October 8, 18:00-19:30

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■ OriHime Soccer Qualifying Rounds: June 2026
Players who decide to enter after the practice sessions will...