The content on this page is as of June 17. Please check the release list for the latest information.
J.League COVID-19 Response Guidelines" Related Release List
Message from Fumio Koizumi, Representative Director and President
First, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to those who have been infected with the new coronavirus. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude on behalf of the club to all medical and welfare professionals who are engaged in testing, treatment, nursing, and care every day while facing the risk of infection, as well as to all those who support social infrastructure. I am very happy that, as a result of everyone's daily efforts to prevent infection, a daily life with sports and football is returning.
On the other hand, in the J.League, domestic official matches will resume behind closed doors, and various restrictions will be imposed as part of measures to reduce the risk of infection. Therefore, for the time being, we will not be able to hold matches with spectators at home as before. As a result, there is a high possibility that ticket and merchandise revenue will decrease significantly, and we estimate that the club's management will be affected by several hundred million yen this season alone.
Kashima Stadium, our home, can accommodate approximately 40,000 people. In the future, we aim to gradually hold matches with spectators at home, starting with 5,000 people and then 50% capacity (approximately 20,000 people), in accordance with government guidelines. However, as the infection situation of the new coronavirus changes daily, there is a possibility that future match operation plans may also change. In particular, the transition to matches with spectators and the restrictions during such matches will be decided by the entire league, so we cannot make any guarantees from the club at this time.
To all annual ticket holders, thank you for your deep understanding and various forms of support for the club. We have repeatedly discussed within the club how to handle annual tickets, as there is a possibility that we may not be able to provide enough seating and viewing environments to satisfy all fans and supporters. Although it was a very difficult decision, the club's policy is to make all annual tickets valid, and we will inform you about the tax incentive (donation deduction) system that can be used when you wish to receive a refund or decline a refund (donate), depending on your individual preferences and circumstances.
First, for home games with attendance restrictions, we plan to offer tickets to SÓCIO, season ticket holders, and fan club members in that order, before moving to general sales. However, depending on the attendance restrictions, we may not be able to provide enough seats even for those who have purchased season tickets. In addition, to ensure the health management and preventive measures of everyone in the stadium, annual ticket holders will also need to obtain electronic tickets online for each match, which will require cooperation with a different ticket operation than usual.
Of course, for the reduced number of Levain Cup (group stage) matches and home games that will be treated as behind-closed-doors matches according to the annual ticket category, we will compensate by providing point ticket coupons. It may not be the best solution, but we want to prioritize SÓCIO and season ticket holders who support the club on a daily basis. We are confident that this is the best proposal for the club to maintain your status and family ties.
Going forward, to provide a safe and secure viewing environment, we will work with the government and the J.League to thoroughly implement measures to prevent the spread of infection, and we sincerely hope that all fans and supporters will be able to watch matches at Kashima Stadium as soon as possible. As a family, we hope to achieve our mission of "all for victory," and we would be grateful for your understanding, approval, and generous support. Thank you very much.
Handling of 2020 Annual Tickets
In principle, 2020 season annual tickets will be valid.
On the other hand, as announced by the J.League on Monday, June 15, all match cards and dates for the 2020 J1 League will be rearranged, and the format and schedule of the Levain Cup will also be changed. Official matches are expected to resume behind closed doors and then gradually transition to matches with spectators. However, from the perspective of preventing the spread of infection, even with spectators, the number of stadium attendees will be significantly restricted, and seating plans will also change. Since it will be very difficult to maintain the ticket operation and seating plan under the conditions announced at the time of purchase of the 2020 season annual ticket, we will offer refunds for 2020 annual ticket fees upon request from customers (*1.). In addition, for those who wish not to receive a refund (decline), a portion of that amount will be considered a "donation" and will be eligible for the tax incentive (donation deduction) system newly established by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Japan Sports Agency, which we will also inform you about (*2.).
*1. Excludes Freaks Member fees (fan club fees), uniform fees, yearbook fees, 90-minute service vouchers, annual parking passes (or 90-minute service vouchers in lieu of annual parking passes), and various processing fees at the time of purchase.
*2. Up to a maximum of 200,000 yen, approximately 40% of the waived amount will be deducted from income tax.
Therefore, for all those who purchased 2020 annual tickets, please select your preferred option from the three options below and then check the explanation for the corresponding option. We apologize for any inconvenience and burden this may cause, and we ask for your understanding and cooperation.
1. Do not refund and keep valid (continue use)
2. Get a refund
3. Use the tax incentive system (donation)
| Option | Procedure | Handling of Membership Grade | Ticket Rights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Do not refund and continue to use | No application required | Maintain existing membership grade | Watch 2020 season home games without additional charge *Excludes season tickets for matches with 5,000-person capacity restrictions |
| 2. Get a refund | Application required | Change to Freaks Member | Tickets can be purchased at Freaks Member prices |
| 3. Use tax incentive system (donation) | Application required | Change to Freaks Member | Tickets can be purchased at Freaks Member prices |
How to apply for a refund / donation for 2020 annual tickets
For details on each application method, please see here.
Refund/Donation Acceptance Period
June 17, 2020 (Wed) 17:00 to July 15, 2020 (Wed) 23:59
In principle, please note that if no refund or donation application is submitted during the acceptance period, the annual ticket will remain valid. If you wish to receive a refund or make a donation, please be sure to apply within the deadline.
Continuing Membership Benefits
Even after applying for a refund (including donations), Freaks Member (fan club) benefits will continue. In addition, SÓCIO members will continue to receive annual parking passes and 90-minute service voucher benefits. For this year only, the renewal period will continue, and when purchasing 2021 annual tickets (SÓCIO), you will be able to preferentially purchase your current reserved seats.
Handling of annual tickets for behind-closed-doors matches and matches with spectators
■ About tickets for reduced Levain Cup (group stage) matches
Due to the change in the Levain Cup tournament format and the resulting reduction in the number of matches, all 2020 annual ticket holders will be given tickets to watch the 2021 Levain Cup (or ACL) group stage. Details and timing of the distribution will be announced separately (those who refunded their 2020 annual tickets or declined a refund/donated are not eligible).
■ Behind-closed-doors matches
No entry to the stadium, including for annual ticket holders.
Handling of 2020 Annual Tickets (SÓCIO・Season)
Depending on the number of behind-closed-doors matches, free invitation tickets (*3.) that can be used in the 2021 season will be provided. The same treatment will apply if matches with spectators resume and then revert to behind-closed-doors matches.
*3. Free invitation tickets will be provided as coupons and can be used for any match. They can also be used by yourself or your companions.
■ Capacity-restricted matches (matches with spectators)
As part of measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus infection, seating will be arranged with a certain distance between seats. In addition, to reduce the risk of infection, face-to-face contact with staff (ticket tearing) that occurs with paper tickets will be eliminated, and only "electronic tickets" for which individual contact information of attendees can be obtained will be used.
How 2020 Annual Ticket Holders Can Attend (SÓCIO・Season Tickets)
For matches with capacity restrictions, you will not be able to watch from the seats indicated on your tickets or IC cards. You must select your viewing seat and obtain a ticket for each match via the web ticket purchase site "Shikaticke." (*4.)
If you do not obtain a viewing ticket in advance, you will not be able to watch the match, so please be sure to specify your viewing seat for each match.
Please note that due to limited seating, the category may differ from your annual reserved seat. In addition, ticket resales are not available during the capacity restriction period. However, once capacity restrictions are lifted, you will be able to watch from the seats on your 2020 annual ticket.
*4. You can obtain tickets of the same category as or lower than your purchased annual ticket for free.
How to obtain tickets on "Shikaticke"
Step 1: J.League ID Registration
Step 2: About linking your fan club membership number (One-Touch Pass ID)
Step 3: "Shikaticke" Ticket application for desired match (Please do this for each match)
*If you have already completed steps 1 and 2, you can proceed from step 3.
Handling of Season Tickets for 5,000-Person Capacity Restricted Matches
As we cannot provide enough viewing seats to accommodate all season ticket holders, matches with a 5,000-person capacity restriction will be treated the same as behind-closed-doors matches, and free invitation tickets (*3.) that can be used in the 2021 season will be provided for the number of affected matches. Season ticket holders who wish to attend home games held during the same period will need to purchase tickets separately via "Shikaticke."
List of Behind-Closed-Doors and Capacity-Restricted Matches
| Home Game Schedule | ||
| Behind-Closed-Doors Matches | July 8 (Wed) 19:00 Sapporo | |
| 5,000-Person Capacity Restricted Matches (from 7/11) | July 18 (Sat) 18:00 Yokohama FM | |
| July 26 (Sun) 18:30 FC Tokyo | ||
| 20,000-Person Capacity Restricted Matches (from 8/1) | August 5 (Wed) 19:00 Kawasaki F | |
| August 8 (Sat) 18:30 Tosu | ||
| August 16 (Sun) 18:30 Kobe | ||
| Upon Lifting of Capacity Restrictions | Home games after the date capacity restrictions are lifted | |
List of Attendance Methods
| 2020 Annual Tickets | Fan Club Members (Freaks・Junior) | General | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SÓCIO | Season | |||
| Behind-Closed-Doors Matches | No attendance allowed | |||
| 5,000-Person Capacity Restricted Matches (from 7/11) | Attendance allowed Selection of viewing seats
required on "Shikaticke" (Free) | Attendance allowed Separate purchase
required for entry | Attendance allowed Please purchase tickets | |
| 20,000-Person Capacity Restricted Matches (from 8/1) | Attendance allowed Selection of viewing seats
required on "Shikaticke" (Free) | Attendance allowed Please purchase tickets | ||
| Normal Circumstances (Undetermined) | Attendance allowed Normal application Attendance allowed with your annual ticket
| Attendance allowed Normal application | ||
*For 5,000-person capacity restricted matches, as we cannot provide enough viewing seats to accommodate all season ticket holders, they will be treated the same as behind-closed-doors matches, and separate free invitation tickets (*3) that can be used in the 2021 season will be provided for the number of affected matches.
*For capacity restricted matches, all tickets must be purchased via "Shikaticke."
*The holding of matches with spectators may change in the future based on J.League decisions.
■ Ticket acquisition/sales schedule for capacity-restricted matches
We will guide SÓCIO, season ticket holders, fan club members, and general public in that order.
*For matches with a 5,000-person capacity restriction, annual ticket holders can purchase a maximum of 1 paid ticket per person.
Changes to 2020 Annual Ticket Operations
| Capacity Restricted Matches | Normal Circumstances | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Method | Selection of viewing seats
required on "Shikaticke" for each match | Entry allowed with your annual ticket |
| Seat Type | May be a different category from your annual reserved seat | Viewing allowed in your annual ticket seat |
| Additional Ticket Purchases |
Quantity limited
Up to 1 ticket per person (for 5,000-person capacity restricted matches)
Up to 4 tickets per person (for 20,000-person capacity restricted matches) *However, additional purchases are for seats in category 1 or lower
| No restrictions |
| SÓCIO Royal Visitor Reception | Not applicable | Available |
| Ticket Transfer | Available | Available |
| Ticket Resale | Not available | Available |
| Personal Choice | Restricted (Not available for 5,000-person capacity restricted matches only) | Available |
■ Contact Information
For inquiries regarding annual ticket refunds and donations, please contact the following.