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elliewelliesj · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 65

Want to surprise my boyfriend and take him to a soccer game (oh how he missed English footie)... and wondered does anyone know how or where?
I have found Kashima Stadium... (i live in Chiba so think thats good) but am now struggling to find fixtures or how to get tickets... his bday is September so have lots of time. But anyone got any tips? i will carry on googling it... and see what i can do. But thanks if anyone can help....

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Easy breezy. But Kashima Stadium? That's in Ibaraki. That's where the Antlers play. Where in Chiba are you? Maybe JEF United Chihara Chiba would be closer to you.

Do a bit of research and see what's closest. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._League

I assume you want to go see J1 and not J2...

Anyway, once you decide WHO you want to see, try to get a home game schedule. Most team websites or fan websites have them. Good chance you'll even find it in English.

Then, after you know when/where, go buy the tickets. Any convenience store will sell them from their magic everything machine. I've used Familymart, 7-11 and Lawsons in the past. Doesn't matter though I think 7-11 is the easiest to use.

1. Push the screen icon that looks like sports equipment.

2. Choose the katakana for "soccer"

3. Choose J-League (J1)

4. Choose the game that corresponds to the date/team you want to see.

5. Choose which section you want to sit in. The goal ends are cheapest. If you do this, I recommend sitting in the home goal section -- much more fun...

6. Print out your claim stub, pay at the cashier and collect your tickets.

It's that easy. But you may wish to take someone more experienced (who has done this before) with you the first time to show you if Japanese is an obstacle.

Price for tickets usually starts at 1500 yen and up. Also, make sure you buy your tickets early as popular games will sell out. As well, show up at the stadium at least 30 mins early -- a lot earlier if it's a hot game... Many people will wait hours ahead of time if it's going to be a good game.

Good luck!

ironopolis · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 379

ellie, you're pretty lucky in Chiba, because as well as being close to Kashima, there are also J-league division one teams in Kashiwa (Reysol) and Ichihara (JEF United, who've now added "Chiba" to their name as no-one knew where they were!!).

Jim's already given you some excellent advice about getting tickets. I'd just add that if you get a ticket for an unreserved seating area, then get there as early as you can or else there won't be many good seats left, especially if it's one of the cheaper sections.

This is the official J-League site which should give you all the info you need about fixtures. Just click on 'schedule' on the left and scroll down to September. Note that sometimes Chiba teams might play home games in Tokyo instead.

http://www.j-league.or.jp/eng/

This is the stadium access page of Kashima's website - in Japanese, but maybe you can figure a few bits out or get someone to help you if need be.

http://www.so-net.ne.jp/antlers/kashima-stadium/access/index.html

Kashima are one of the few teams to have an English version website, but it's not actually a lot of use.

Hoser · Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 694 Location: Toronto, Canada

Eva Pilot · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:05 pm Post subject:

I've only been to one game here, and it was awesome. Sanfrecce vs Antlers at Hiroshima Big Arch, Nabisco Cup quarter final first leg.

I had a great time. Sanfrecce are the closest J-League team to me...at 3 hours away. So they get my support and money for merchandise. Laughing

elliewelliesj · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 65

thank you sooo much - that has given me a great start! lots of info.... am excited it looks very possible....and not knowing a great deal about soccer, you have helped lots!