Nagoya Grampus Opens New Paloma Mizuho Stadium with J1 Victory
The newly rebuilt Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya City officially opened on April 19, 2026, hosting the opening match of the J1 soccer season. The home team, Nagoya Grampus, faced Avispa Fukuoka in a thrilling contest that ended in a 2-2 draw, with Grampus ultimately securing victory in a penalty shootout. The event marked a significant moment for local supporters, who gathered in large numbers to cheer and sing for the first time in approximately five years since the previous stadium's last game. The modern facility features approximately 30,000 seats, all covered by a roof, and includes around 300 wheelchair-accessible seats to ensure barrier-free access. Beyond domestic soccer, the stadium is designated as the main venue for the upcoming Asia-Asian Para Games in Aichi Prefecture this fall, where it will host opening and closing ceremonies as well as track and field events. Former Grampus manager Dragan Stojkovic attended the inauguration, emphasizing that new history is being written and encouraging fans to share in the joy of the launch. This development highlights regional revitalization efforts through sports infrastructure in central Japan.
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Nagoya Grampus Opens New Paloma Mizuho Stadium with J1 Victory
The newly rebuilt Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya City officially opened on April 19, 2026, hosting the opening match of the J1 soccer season. The home team, Nagoya Grampus, faced Avispa Fukuoka in a thrilling contest that ended in a 2-2 draw, with Grampus ultimately securing victory in a penalty shootout. The event marked a significant moment for local supporters, who gathered in large numbers to cheer and sing for the first time in approximately five years since the previous stadium's last game. The modern facility features approximately 30,000 seats, all covered by a roof, and includes around 300 wheelchair-accessible seats to ensure barrier-free access. Beyond domestic soccer, the stadium is designated as the main venue for the upcoming Asia-Asian Para Games in Aichi Prefecture this fall, where it will host opening and closing ceremonies as well as track and field events. Former Grampus manager Dragan Stojkovic attended the inauguration, emphasizing that new history is being written and encouraging fans to share in the joy of the launch. This development highlights regional revitalization efforts through sports infrastructure in central Japan.
asahi