Before the 2026/27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Section 6 match against Urawa Reds (kick-off at 6:00 PM) on Sunday, September 6, a "Curtain Raiser Match" will be held on the pitch of Mercari Stadium for elementary school students in grades 1 to 6.
In this event, participants will play soccer barefoot on the Mercari Stadium pitch before the main match.
We look forward to many participants!
Date and Time
Sunday, September 6
[Grades 4-6]
2:30 PM: Participants gather at Gate 1
3:00 PM: Entry to stadium grounds
3:15 PM: First half kick-off (10 minutes)
3:30 PM: Second half kick-off (10 minutes)
3:40 PM: End
3:50 PM: Dismissal at Gate 1
[Grades 1-3]
3:00 PM: Participants gather at Gate 1
3:35 PM: Entry to stadium grounds
3:50 PM: First half kick-off (7 minutes)
4:05 PM: Second half kick-off (7 minutes)
4:15 PM: End
4:25 PM: Dismissal at Gate 1
*Schedule may be subject to change.
Venue
Mercari Stadium (26-2 Shin'yoshimuku-kōzan, Kashima City, Ibaraki)
Eligibility
Elementary school students in grades 1-6
Participation Fee
Free
What to bring
Clothes suitable for playing soccer, water bottle
*Bringing a ball is not permitted.
Number of Participants
Elementary school students in grades 1-3: 80 people
Elementary school students in grades 4-6: 40 people
*If there are many applicants, a lottery will be held.
Application Form
Deadline
Until 12:00 PM on Thursday, September 3
Notification of Selection
Only selected participants will be contacted by 4:00 PM on Friday, September 4.
Details will also be provided at the time of notification.
About Tickets
Participating children and their guardians should purchase their tickets individually from "Kashima Tickets."
*Please note that elementary school students nationwide can watch for free in some seat categories (the number of eligible tickets is limited).
*A spectator ticket is required to watch the "Curtain Raiser Match." If you do not have a ticket, you cannot watch. Please be aware of this in advance.
Parking
Please use nearby paid parking lots.
*The surrounding parking lot is Parking Lot B (2,500 yen including tax).
*Parking tickets for Parking Lot B can be purchased from "Kashima Tickets." Please purchase by the day before, as it takes time for data to be reflected on the day of the event.
*If Parking Lot B is full, please use nearby private parking lots.
Other Notes
・During the Curtain Raiser Match, guardians should watch from the spectator stands.
・After the event, coaches will escort the children to the dismissal area outside the stadium. Guardians should use the re-entry gates (Gate 1, NIPPON STEEL Gate, Gate 5, Gate 6) and come to the dismissal area.
・Please note that the event may be canceled abruptly due to inclement weather or the condition of the pitch. In case of cancellation, you will be contacted via the email address registered with your J.League ID by the day of the event (11:00 AM).
・In case of cancellation, there will be no rescheduling to another match, and only those who wish will be offered a commemorative photo shoot by the pitch.
・This event is not eligible for point cards (limited to school students).
・Photos or videos taken at this event may be published on the club's official website and club media (including social media). Please apply only if you agree to this.
・In case of injuries on the day, we will provide first aid, but subsequent treatment will be the responsibility of each household. Please be aware of this in advance.
Inquiries
Kashima Antlers Call Center
Inquiry Form
support@antlers.co.jp
*We respond to inquiries sequentially, but it may take some time.