Mercari Stadium Electrified with a Fusion of Public Viewing and Taiwanese Gourmet! "Shika Fes 2025" Event Report
On Saturday, July 5, 2025, "Shika Fes 2025 ~Public Viewing & Taiwanese Night Market~ presented by Shin Nihon Denko" was held at Mercari Stadium.
This was a multi-faceted event designed to be enjoyed not only by soccer fans but also by local families and young people. It featured a public viewing of the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Section 23 match against Kawasaki Frontale, which kicked off at 7 PM, the J Youth Cup, a Taiwanese night market offering Taiwanese specialties, a live performance on the pitch by Yuto Adachi, representative of ADACHI HOUSE, and a mobile zoo, among other attractions.
Furthermore, with the title sponsorship of our club partner, Shin Nihon Denko Co., Ltd., a special program was conducted for local high school students who were invited through advance registration.
Public Viewing & Talk Show
Utilizing Mercari Stadium's unique large-scale video display and audio equipment, we created an environment where fans could cheer on the away game with the same excitement as if they were there. Many visitors enjoyed listening to the expert yet fan-focused live commentary from Antlers alumni like Yasushi Endo and stadium DJ Hiroyuki Matsumoto.
Taiwanese Night Market
With the cooperation of the Ibaraki Taiwan Association, popular vendors from within and outside the prefecture gathered. Stalls offering authentic Taiwanese gourmet delights such as Dajipai (fried chicken steak), Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), and tapioca drinks lined up, creating an exotic atmosphere.
Shin Nihon Denko Stadium Tour
To commemorate their 100th anniversary, Shin Nihon Denko participated by providing title sponsorship for an event that local residents could enjoy. As an offshoot of their initiative to invite high school students to home games for free this season, many high school students were invited to this event, and special activities exclusively for them, such as a stadium tour and a lottery, were held.
Concourse Events
On the concourse stage on the main stand side of the stadium, there were live performances by Yuto Adachi, dance performances by students from the local dance team SK rhyme DANCESCHOOL, and a yo-yo show by street performer AXEL Tsubasa.
Combined with children's festival games and craft workshops, it's safe to say that families and people of all generations were satisfied.
Outside Area & Food Trucks
In the outdoor area, Narita Yume Farm held a mobile zoo. Food trucks also set up shop, offering popular gourmet items such as hamburgers and steamed oysters, as well as local sweets from various vendors, making it an area where visitors could enjoy "local flavors" simultaneously.
Conclusion
This project aimed to cultivate new fan bases and contribute to regional revitalization by fusing different cultures (Taiwanese Night Market) and local characteristics, with Kashima Antlers and Mercari Stadium as its core content. This initiative, which aligns with the philosophy of club partner Shin Nihon Denko, will continue to strive for further development as a model case demonstrating new possibilities for sports events.
The official Antlers Note also features "Shika Fes" and event highlights, so please check it out!