Overview
SC Sagamihara (Japanese: SC相模原) is a professional football (soccer) club based in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The club competes in the J3 League, the third tier of the Japanese football league system, as of the 2024 season.
History
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Founded as Sagamihara FC by local football enthusiasts. |
| 2010 | Adopted the name SC Sagamihara (Soccer Club Sagamihara). |
| 2013 | Joined the Japan Football League (JFL), the highest amateur league at the time. |
| 2014 | Earned promotion to the newly created J3 League for its inaugural season. |
| 2020 | Secured a 2nd‑place finish in J3, achieving promotion to the J2 League for the 2021 season. |
| 2021 | Competed in J2; finished 22nd and were relegated back to J3 for the 2022 season. |
| 2022‑present | Remain in J3, focusing on youth development and regional community engagement. |
Stadium
SC Sagamihara plays its home matches at Sagami-Ōno Athletic Stadium (also known as Sagami-Ōno Stadium). The venue is located within Sagamihara City and has a seating capacity of approximately 15,000 spectators. The stadium meets J.League standards for J3 competition.
Club Colours and Crest
- Primary colours: Blue and white.
- The club’s crest features stylized elements representing Sagamihara City and a football motif, underscoring the team’s local identity.
League Performance (selected seasons)
| Season | League | Position | Notable Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | J3 League | 7th | First season in professional league |
| 2016 | J3 League | 6th | Highest J3 finish to date (pre‑2020) |
| 2020 | J3 League | 2nd | Promotion to J2 |
| 2021 | J2 League | 22nd | Relegation to J3 |
| 2023 | J3 League | 11th | Mid‑table finish |
Youth Development
SC Sagamihara operates a youth academy that fields teams at various age levels (U‑15, U‑18). The academy aims to develop local talent for potential promotion to the senior squad and for broader professional opportunities.
Community Involvement
The club engages in community outreach programs, including football clinics in schools, charity events, and collaborations with local businesses and municipal authorities to promote sports participation throughout Sagamihara.
Notable Players
While the club has not produced internationally renowned stars, several players have progressed to higher divisions or earned recognition within the J.League system, such as:
- Tatsuya Kidawa – Defender, later transferred to a J2 club.
- Yuki Fujita – Midfielder, noted for his assists record during the 2020 promotion season.
See also
- J3 League
- Japanese football league system
- Sagamihara, Kanagawa
References
- Official SC Sagamihara website (Japanese).
- J.League official data archives.
- Japan Football Association (JFA) publications.
All information presented reflects publicly available, verifiable sources as of June 2026.
