Ephila Group-Owned 'Shonan United BC' to Rename to 'Wolga Shonan' Starting 2026-27 Season
Shonan United BC, owned by Ephila Group, will rebrand as 'Wolga Shonan' from the 2026-27 season. The club aims to strengthen community ties and work toward entry into the B.LEAGUE ONE.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 25, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 25, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 25, 2026 at 11:54 (22 min after Collected)
Professional basketball club Shonan United BC, owned by Ephila Group Co., Ltd., announced it will rename the club to 'Wolga Shonan' starting from the 2026-27 season.
Ephila Group welcomes this name change as the club's owner and remains committed to supporting the club's development in partnership with the local community.
■ Name Change Overview
New Name: Wolga Shonan
Former Name: Shonan United BC
Effective Date: 2026-27 season
League: B.LEAGUE NEXT (2026-27)
Club Color: Red (WOLGA Red / #DB091D)
Mission: Don't leave anyone alone.
Slogan: Challenge to the limit (挑みきれ)
■ Meaning Behind the Name
'Wolga' is a coined term derived from reading 'glow' backward, inspired by the light of a campfire. The club aims to be a gathering place where players, boosters, partner companies, and local residents can connect and engage in dialogue. This aligns with Ephila Group's vision of 'creating a city that leaves no one behind.'
■ Future Outlook
For the '40,000 People Project' this season, the club attracted 46,522 spectators. The club is currently in discussions with the league to join the B.LEAGUE ONE starting in the 2027-28 season.
Ephila Group welcomes this name change as the club's owner and remains committed to supporting the club's development in partnership with the local community.
■ Name Change Overview
New Name: Wolga Shonan
Former Name: Shonan United BC
Effective Date: 2026-27 season
League: B.LEAGUE NEXT (2026-27)
Club Color: Red (WOLGA Red / #DB091D)
Mission: Don't leave anyone alone.
Slogan: Challenge to the limit (挑みきれ)
■ Meaning Behind the Name
'Wolga' is a coined term derived from reading 'glow' backward, inspired by the light of a campfire. The club aims to be a gathering place where players, boosters, partner companies, and local residents can connect and engage in dialogue. This aligns with Ephila Group's vision of 'creating a city that leaves no one behind.'
■ Future Outlook
For the '40,000 People Project' this season, the club attracted 46,522 spectators. The club is currently in discussions with the league to join the B.LEAGUE ONE starting in the 2027-28 season.
FAQ
「湘南ユナイテッドBC」はいつから名称変更しますか？
2026-27シーズンより、「ウォルガ湘南」へ名称変更します。
新名称「ウォルガ（WOLGA）」の由来は何ですか？
キャンプファイヤーの灯火（ともしび）を意味する「glow」を後ろから読んだ造語です。人々が集まり、つながりが生まれる場所でありたいという願いが込められています。
クラブのミッションとスローガンは何ですか？
ミッションは「ひとりにさせない。」、スローガンは「挑みきれ」です。
エフィラグループの経営参画はいつからですか？
2025年にクラブ経営に参画し、オーナー企業として支援しています。
今後の参入リーグ目標はありますか？
2027-28シーズンのB.LEAGUE ONE参入を目指して協議を進めています。