Shonan Bellmare vs. Vegalta Sendai: 'Shonan Kodomo Mirai Mare' Invites Over 50 Elementary School Students to Free Match at Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka

Key facts

  • Shonan Bellmare vs. Vegalta Sendai: 'Shonan Kodomo Mirai Mare' Invites Over 50 Elementary School Students to Free Match at Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka
  • On May 16, 2026, the community project 'Shonan Kodomo Mirai Mare' invited over 50 elementary school students to the J-League match between Shonan Bellmare and Vegalta Sendai at Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka. In addition to watching the game, children participated in a special experience of stepping onto the natural turf pitch after the match.
  • Source: PR Times
  • Date: May 20, 2026

Direct answer

On May 16, 2026, the community project 'Shonan Kodomo Mirai Mare' invited over 50 elementary school students to the J-League match between Shonan Bellmare and Vegalta Sendai at Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka. In addition to watching the game, children participated in a special experience of stepping onto the natural turf pitch after the match.

Citation
Shonan Bellmare vs. Vegalta Sendai: 'Shonan Kodomo Mirai Mare' Invites Over 50 Elementary School Students to Free Match at Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka (May 20, 2026), PR Times
Source
PR Times
Date
May 20, 2026
On May 16, 2026, the community project 'Shonan Kodomo Mirai Mare' invited over 50 elementary school students to the J-League match between Shonan Bellmare and Vegalta Sendai at Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka. In addition to watching the game, children participated in a special experience of stepping onto the natural turf pitch after the match.
イベントNQ 86/100出典:PR Times

📋 Article Processing Timeline

  • 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 19:10
  • 🔍 Collected: May 20, 2026 at 10:31
  • 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 22, 2026 at 05:43 (43h 11m after Collected)
On May 16, 2026, at Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, the community co-creation project 'Shonan Kodomo Mirai Mare' invited four elementary school soccer teams, totaling over 50 children, to a free viewing of the Meiji Yasuda J-League match between Shonan Bellmare and Vegalta Sendai.

Children from local Shonan soccer teams gathered at the stadium, experiencing the excitement of a J-League match from the stands. After the match, a special program was held where children could actually step onto the natural grass pitch where the professional players had just competed.

As evening fell over the stadium, children touched the turf and looked around the vast stadium with sparkling eyes. This was more than just a viewing event; it was a moment for them to feel the 'distance to their dreams' closing.

'Shonan Kodomo Mirai Mare' is a regional project designed to deliver 'authentic experiences' to children by connecting local businesses and sports. By providing exposure to professional sports environments and the passion of the community, the project aims to create an environment where children can take pride in their hometown. During the post-match pitch experience, children were seen running around and feeling the texture of the natural grass.

In recent years, issues such as the 'experience gap' among children and the dilution of local communities have become social concerns. Regional clubs like Shonan Bellmare hold significant power to address these issues. Among the participants, many were watching a J-League game live for the first time, and voices saying 'I want to come back' or 'I want to play on this pitch someday' were heard. The project aims to turn local admiration into dreams and nurture them within the entire community.

'Shonan Kodomo Mirai Mare' plans to continue delivering 'life-changing experiences' to children in the Shonan area through free invitations, sports clinics, and regional educational activities.

FAQ

What is the 'Shonan Kodomo Mirai Mare' project?

It is a regional co-creation project aimed at connecting local businesses, sports, and education to provide authentic experiences for children in the Shonan area. Activities include match invitations, sports experiences, and community education programs.

How many people were invited to the event on May 16, 2026?

Over 50 children from four elementary school soccer teams were invited to attend the match for free.

What other experiences were offered besides watching the match?

After the match, children had a special experience of stepping onto the natural grass pitch of the Lemon Gas Stadium in Hiratsuka, where the players had just competed.

What social issues is this project trying to address?

The project aims to address issues such as the experience gap among children, the weakening of community ties, the decline in children's interest in sports, and a lack of attachment to the local area.

What are the plans for future activities?

Future plans include continuing to offer free match invitations, sports experiences, and community education programs to provide more opportunities for children in the Shonan area.