Stadiums visited in 2024
In 2024, I counted 10 games and went to 8 stadiums.
While looking back at each match, we will introduce our impressions of the stadium's accessibility and visibility.
national stadium
The one I visited the most this year was the National Stadium, which I visited three times.
・1/1 Japan representative vs Thailand representative
・7/13 FC Tokyo vs Niigata
・11/2 YBC Levain Cup Final Nagoya vs Niigata
The nearest stations are Kunitachi Stadium-mae Station on the Oedo Line or JR Sendagaya Station, and the National Stadium is right outside the exit of Kunitachi Stadium Station.
Aoyama-itchome Station on the Ginza and Oedo Lines is just a short walk away, and the area has enough infrastructure to handle even a crowd of 60,000 people.
It's a shame that it's not exclusively for ball games. .
When it comes to watching soccer, there is a track and the pitch is far away.
Also, since there are seats up to the 3rd floor, some seats may be difficult to see if the slope is gentle.
There are many stadiums that aren't specifically for ball games, but I personally think this is the hardest stadium to watch soccer in that I've visited this year. .
Easy to see: △
1/1 Japan National Team vs Thailand National Team
This is a match for the Japanese national team held on New Year's Day.
As the Premier League and La Liga were held up to the day before or two days prior, players such as Mitoma, Tomiyasu, and Kubo were not called up, and it was predicted in advance that no players who could be called the best would be called up.
So, I thought I might be able to see the runner-up who will be selected for the national team for the first time, and I got a ticket without going back to my parents' house for the New Year, hoping that Ryotaro Ito, who left Albirex Niigata in the summer of 2023 and completed his long-awaited transfer overseas, would be called up.
As expected, Ryotaro Ito was selected for the national team for the first time and was able to see him wearing the circle on his back.
Although the Japanese national team won, I don't think the individual players did well. .
The current Japanese national team has a lot of depth on the front line, but I would like to see him move up from Sint-Truiden and rejoin the national team.
Seats are on the 2nd floor on the south side of the back.
It's so far away and there's a truck that it's a little hard to see. . That's the impression.
7/13 FC Tokyo vs Niigata
FC Tokyo is usually held at Ajinomoto Stadium, but it was held at the National Stadium.
I'm grateful that it's close to my home. .
There was a live performance by Kaela Kimura before the match, and fireworks were used in the production, giving us a serious look at the financial strength of clubs in the metropolitan area. .
And the result was a 2-0 loss. .
FC Tokyo only had two chances to score, and although Niigata had more chances, I think it was a game where the difference in decision-making ability was evident.
My seat was on the 2nd floor south of the goal.
It's good for cheering, but it's so far away that you can't really see what happened on the other side. .
11/2 YBC Levain Cup Final Nagoya vs Niigata
Up until now, Niigata's highest ranking was advancing to the BEST4 during the old Nabisco Cup, but this time they advanced to the finals and their first title was at stake.
Tickets for this match were so competitive that even reserved seats, green seats, and Gran Class seats on the Shinkansen from Niigata to Tokyo were sold out, and a special Shinkansen flight was set up.
Tickets were first drawn in a lottery, and we didn't win. .
After that, a general sale was held, but I was unable to purchase it because I lost in the general sale's quick-selling competition. .
All that remains is additional sales and resale, and I was at a loss as I was in a very hopeless situation, but when I was looking at X, I saw a post that said it could be purchased on the English version of the site.
I managed to purchase it there and was able to watch the game safely.
However, the seats were in Category 5 North and the main stand, and I had a good seat at the top of the third floor. .
I was seated from Nagoya, and when I checked the seating chart, I was seated completely away from Category 7 North (behind the Nagoya goal) if I was one block away.
However, I thought it would be better to go to the site, and when I went there, I was relieved to find that there were many Niigata support staff around.
It was nice to be able to see the choreo clearly,The seats on the third floor allow you to see the entire game, and I have the impression that it's surprisingly easy to watch.
Although it's easy to see movements such as the ball, line, and positioning, it's so far away that you can't even make out the player's jersey number. .
The game ended with Nagoya leading 2-0 in the first half, and will it be Niigata's usual side in the final? . Just then, in a dramatic turn of events, they scored one point back in the second half and caught up with the score at 2-2 in added time.
Although they were trailing 3-2 in the first half of overtime, they caught up to 3-3 in the second half of overtime, making things even more dramatic.
Although we lost our first title 5-4 in the penalty shootout, being able to watch this match locally made me love Niigata and the team even more.
I would like to continue to support them and dream of one day winning the title.
Denka Big Swan Stadium
I visited Denka Big Swan Stadium once.
I don't think there are many people who have only been able to go home once, so I would like to go at least two or three times next year in 2025.
3/9 Niigata vs Nagoya (home opening game)
It's about 4km away from Niigata Station, so you'll basically need to take a shuttle bus to get there.
Since it is not possible to access the station on foot (although it is not impossible...), I think the access is poor compared to stadiums in the metropolitan area.
However, there are a fair number of shuttle buses, and measures are being taken to increase the frequency of shuttle buses for games that are expected to be crowded.
Depending on the time of day, you may have to line up for about 10 minutes before the game starts, and for about 10 minutes after the game ends, but I don't think you'll be left out in the cold for a long time (more than 30 minutes).
It's easy to see because of the track, but it's far from the pitch, but I've never found it difficult to see because of the slope.
I grew up watching it at this stadium, so the Big Swan has become my standard.
Easy to see: ◯
3/9 Niigata vs Nagoya (home opening game)
It was the home opener.
In the morning,Niigata sake camp” and moved the moment the event ended, not being able to practice or enter the players in time. .
I remember being able to watch the game from about right after kickoff.
As a result, Motoki Hasegawa, a new player from Kofu, scored the winning goal and his first goal in J1, resulting in a 1-0 victory and a victory in the home opener.
Probably in 2025 as well.Niigata sake camp' I think the home opener will be the same, so I'm going to enjoy both again.
I took a seat on the 2nd floor on the north side of the back.
There is a track, but it's sloped so it's easy to see.
The back seats are E-gates, so they are easily accessible from the shuttle bus stop.
ajinomoto stadium
I visited Ajinomoto Stadium once.
3/16 Tokyo V vs Niigata
The nearest station to the stadium is Tobitakyu Station on the Keio Line.
Usually, limited express trains do not stop at Tobitakyu Station, so if you are coming from Shinjuku, you will first need to take the limited express to Chofu Station, then change to a local train at Chofu Station and head to Tobitakyu.
When we played against Tokyo V during the J2 season in the 2022 season, we went this way, but in J1, the limited express train will make a temporary stop, making it possible to access from Shinjuku without changing trains.
As expected from J1 Power.
You can reach the stadium in about 5 minutes from Tobitakyu Station, so access is great.
Although it is used exclusively for ball games, there is a part of it that was originally a track, so it is far from the pitch.
The seats are slanted, so it's easy to see.
Easy to see: ◯
3/16 Tokyo V vs Niigata
With Tokyo V promoted to J1 from the 2024 season, there are now two teams, FC Tokyo and Tokyo V, who call Ajinomoto Stadium their home.
However, because FC Tokyo was in J1 for many years, the distance from the nearest station, Tobitakyu, to the stadium was all blue and red.
I remember finally entering the stadium and seeing green.
The match result was 2-2.
In the past, Tokyo V had lost points due to goals conceded in added time, but this time they scored in added time and conceded a point. .
This year's 'rattling”I feel like it has started. .
My seat was on the 2nd floor south of the goal.
Although it was used exclusively for ball games, it was originally a track, and although there is a distance to the pitch, it is easy to see because it is sloped.
Sanga Stadium by KYOCERA
I visited Sanga Stadium by KYOCERA once.
4/20 Kyoto vs Niigata
It takes about 20 minutes on the JR Sagano Line rapid train from Kyoto Station to Kameoka Station, the nearest station to the stadium, and once you arrive, the stadium is right in front of you.
There is Saga-Arashiyama Station on the way, and you can go sightseeing at Togetsukyo Bridge before or after the match.
It's easy to see because it's a ball game stadium, so it's close to the pitch, and it's sloped so it's easy to see.
I think it's an enviably good stadium.
Ease of viewing: ◎
4/20 Kyoto vs Niigata
Held on April 21st, “Whiskey Harbor KobeI was planning to visit Kobe to take part in the competition, so I decided to participate because it seemed like the perfect time.
After all, the private stadium is easy to see.
I was enchanted by how nice the stadium was, but the match was solid and Niigata held on to just one point, winning 0-1.
Big Swan is attractive, but Niigata would also like to have its own stadium. .
I would like to see the plan to turn the Niigata City Athletics Stadium into a dedicated stadium come to fruition.
My seat was reserved seat 2 on the balcony.
It was easier to see because it was closer to the pitch and the seats were a little higher like the 1.5th floor seats.
Todoroki Stadium
I visited Todoroki Stadium once.
9/27 Kawasaki vs Niigata
For access, I think you will need to use one of the following stations: Musashi-Kosugi Station, Shin-Maruko Station, or Musashi-Nakahara Station.
It is ideally located, just over a 15-minute walk from each station, and can be reached by bus from Musashi-Kosugi Station and Musashi-Nakahara Station.
It's a long way from the pitch where the track is, but I think it's easy to see because it's sloped.
Easy to see: ◯
9/27 Kawasaki vs Niigata
It was the day we lost 5-1. .
I won't write any more about the match so as not to bring back any other memories. .
The seats are on the main 2nd floor.
It was a mix of home and away seating, but I got the impression that there were quite a lot of Albi fans.
nissan stadium
I visited Nissan Stadium once.
10/18 Yokohama FM vs Niigata
The nearest station is Kozukue Station, which can be reached in 7 minutes on foot.
However, I think most people come from Shin-Yokohama Station.
I think it's convenient to visit by subway, especially the Shinkansen.
It seems like a bit of a walk from Shin-Yokohama Station, about 15 minutes.
I felt it was a little difficult to see because there was a track and it was far from the pitch, and the slope was gentle.
Easy to see: △
10/18 Yokohama FM vs Niigata
The match came at a time when both teams had lost four straight, but the result was a scoreless draw.
I think it was an interesting game where both teams' characteristics of possession clashed.
The match was held on a Friday due to Yokohama FM's participation in the ACL, and the weather may have been rainy, but the stadium was noticeably empty and gave the impression that things were starting to get a little exciting.
I know it will be difficult to coordinate the schedule, but I would really like it to be held on Saturday or Sunday. .
I chose a reserved seat on the 1st floor away from home.
There is a roof behind the 20th row, so even if it rained that day, I was able to watch the game without getting wet.
Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium
I visited Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium once.
11/9 Kashiwa vs Niigata
It takes about 20 minutes on foot from Kashiwa Station.
There is also a route bus, but I think it's a bit far since I think it's more common to go there on foot.
It is a stadium dedicated to ball games and is close to the pitch, and is probably the closest of all the stadiums in Japan.
I have the impression that the visibility varies depending on the seat, and since the visitor designation is at the edge, it becomes difficult to see from around the Kashiwa bench.
I think it's easier to see if you're in the main seat, so I recommend choosing a seat after considering the ease of viewing, price, and atmosphere.
Basically, it's rare and troublesome to make reservations through Lawson Tickets. .
Ease of viewing: ◯ (◎ depending on the seat)
11/9 Kashiwa vs Niigata
There are 3 games left including this one.
Before the match started, Niigata was in 16th place with 40 points, and Kashiwa was in 17th place with 39 points, so it was a showdown between the two clubs, where a win would take them out of the relegation battle, but a loss would put them in the relegation battle.
Schedule-kun, this happens every year, but it's amazing. .
In the end, Fujiwara Souya's goal in added time tied the score, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
While they were relieved that they did not lose, supporters of both teams were also relieved that Iwata, who was in 18th place and within the relegation zone, lost on the same day.
I took the visitor seat.
In Niigata, they sell out quickly, so buy them as soon as they go on sale.
Saitama Stadium 2002
I visited Saitama Stadium 2002 once.
I was embarrassed to say that I visited Saitama Stadium 2002 for the first time.
12/8 Urawa vs Niigata
Access: 15 minutes walk from Urawa Misono Station.
There is a bus only from Urawa Misono Station to Saitama Stadium 2002, which takes just over 5 minutes and arrives at the back seats.
It's on the opposite side of the entrance to the main seats and visitor seats, so it takes about 5 minutes to walk around the stadium, so it may be faster to walk in terms of total travel time.
It's a stadium dedicated to ball games, and the seats are slanted so it's pretty easy to see.
However, if it is held on a Saturday or Sunday, more than 40,000 people can attend, creating an overwhelming atmosphere.
Ease of viewing: ◎
12/8 Urawa vs Niigata
This is the final game of the 2024 season.
It was a tense match, as they were unable to decide whether to stay in the previous round, and if there was a draw or better, they would stay on their own, or if they lost, it would depend on the result of Tosu vs. Iwata.
And the opponent is Urawa & Saitama Stadium 2002, which is the worst match. .
The result was a 0-0 draw, and we were able to stay on our own.
There were a lot of things going on this season, including a certain player being transferred early in the season and a series of injuries, but I'm glad that I was able to stay on without any problems.
For next year's 2025 season, I hope they will decide to stay with plenty of time to spare around October or November.
I took a reserved seat for visitors.
In Niigata, they sell out quickly, so buy them as soon as they go on sale.
Closing Thoughts
When looking only at Albirex Niigata's matches, the winning percentage was approximately 22%, 9 games, 2 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses (10 points).
Tokyo V vs Niigata 2-2
Kyoto vs Niigata 0-1
FC Tokyo vs Niigata 2-0
Kawasaki vs Niigata 5-1
Yokohama FM vs Niigata 0-0
Nagoya vs Niigata 3-3 (PK: 5-4)
Kashiwa vs Niigata 1-1
Urawa vs Niigata 0-0
*The penalty shootout is officially a draw, but it is counted as a loss.
In 2025, I would like to increase the number of home games. .
Also, when I think of soccer stadiums, I think of gourmet food, commonly known as Staggle. .
Even if I drink beer at the stadium, I often finish my meal at the nearest station, so I don't get to enjoy Staggle to its fullest. .
I would like to enjoy Staggle in 2025.
We will continue to enjoy the 2025 season with a focus on Kanto away games.
