While Nintendo might not talk about it too much, they certainly have a connection to real-life sports. The Big N has had a stake in the Seattle Mariners for quite some time, and they used to sponsor a few soccer teams in Europe decades ago. It seems Nintendo just can’t let go of their appreciation for sports, as they’re back once again to back a Japanese soccer team.
Kyoto Sanga FC, a J-League soccer team, has just revealed their new gear for the 2026 season, and it turns out Nintendo is a big part of the design. As you can see in the image above, the back of the team’s jerseys features Nintendo’s logo along with some Pikmin hanging around the lettering.
Nintendo actually owns a 16.6% stake in Kyoto Sanga FC, and they must be incredibly proud to be related to the team. Once the dust settled, the 2025 season for Kyoto Sanga FC was their best ever, with the team ending third in the J1 league. Could the 2026 season see them climb even higher? With Nintendo sponsoring gear and having their name right there on the jersey, you can bet the Big N hopes so!
AloJapan.com