Nintendo, one of the world's most influential video game companies, continues its tradition of merging gaming culture with sports by updating its sponsorship of Kyoto Sanga FC for the 2024 J-League season.
Nintendo has held a significant stake in Kyoto Sanga FC, owning 16.6% of the club since it became a sponsor in 1993.
The partnership has been highly visible thanks to the company's distinct 19th-century kanji logo, which has adorned the back of the team’s kits for decades. For the upcoming season, Nintendo has subtly refreshed the Kyoto Sanga FC jersey by incorporating images of Pikmin—a beloved game series created by Shigeru Miyamoto—around the historic logo.
This visual update serves to strengthen the connection between Nintendo’s gaming heritage and its support for Japanese football.
The Pikmin franchise, originally launched on Nintendo GameCube in 2001, has become one of Nintendo’s globally recognized brands, a fact Miyamoto himself has highlighted in past interviews.
The new shirt maintains the club’s iconic color palette of purple, white, and red, blending tradition with contemporary brand icons.
While the stylized red “racetrack” logo that once adorned kits like ACF Fiorentina’s remains better recognized internationally, the inclusion of Pikmin on the Kyoto Sanga FC uniform offers Nintendo fans and sports enthusiasts alike a fresh way to spot the gaming giant’s influence.
The kit’s design ensures that both loyal supporters and avid Nintendo fans will recognize the subtle yet colorful tribute to one of the company’s most cherished game series. Kyoto Sanga FC, a staple of the J-League, continues to benefit from Nintendo’s long-standing partnership, which brings brand synergy and broader exposure to both the football club and the video game company.
The J-League itself remains the top flight of Japanese professional football, celebrating talent and traditions that are deeply rooted within the country’s sporting culture. Coinciding with the kit update, Nintendo has also rolled out a new update for Pikmin 4 on the Nintendo Switch, addressing several gameplay bugs and further supporting its commitment to high-quality gaming experiences.
Pikmin 4, launched in July 2023, has been met with critical acclaim and strong sales on the Nintendo Switch platform, reinforcing the franchise's status within Nintendo’s diverse portfolio. This cross-promotion between the Nintendo brand, Pikmin game series, and the world of professional football showcases Nintendo’s unique ability to bridge entertainment mediums, elevate its characters in real-world contexts, and celebrate its enduring legacy both on and off the pitch.
Nintendo has held a significant stake in Kyoto Sanga FC, owning 16.6% of the club since it became a sponsor in 1993.
The partnership has been highly visible thanks to the company's distinct 19th-century kanji logo, which has adorned the back of the team’s kits for decades. For the upcoming season, Nintendo has subtly refreshed the Kyoto Sanga FC jersey by incorporating images of Pikmin—a beloved game series created by Shigeru Miyamoto—around the historic logo.
This visual update serves to strengthen the connection between Nintendo’s gaming heritage and its support for Japanese football.
The Pikmin franchise, originally launched on Nintendo GameCube in 2001, has become one of Nintendo’s globally recognized brands, a fact Miyamoto himself has highlighted in past interviews.
The new shirt maintains the club’s iconic color palette of purple, white, and red, blending tradition with contemporary brand icons.
While the stylized red “racetrack” logo that once adorned kits like ACF Fiorentina’s remains better recognized internationally, the inclusion of Pikmin on the Kyoto Sanga FC uniform offers Nintendo fans and sports enthusiasts alike a fresh way to spot the gaming giant’s influence.
The kit’s design ensures that both loyal supporters and avid Nintendo fans will recognize the subtle yet colorful tribute to one of the company’s most cherished game series. Kyoto Sanga FC, a staple of the J-League, continues to benefit from Nintendo’s long-standing partnership, which brings brand synergy and broader exposure to both the football club and the video game company.
The J-League itself remains the top flight of Japanese professional football, celebrating talent and traditions that are deeply rooted within the country’s sporting culture. Coinciding with the kit update, Nintendo has also rolled out a new update for Pikmin 4 on the Nintendo Switch, addressing several gameplay bugs and further supporting its commitment to high-quality gaming experiences.
Pikmin 4, launched in July 2023, has been met with critical acclaim and strong sales on the Nintendo Switch platform, reinforcing the franchise's status within Nintendo’s diverse portfolio. This cross-promotion between the Nintendo brand, Pikmin game series, and the world of professional football showcases Nintendo’s unique ability to bridge entertainment mediums, elevate its characters in real-world contexts, and celebrate its enduring legacy both on and off the pitch.
