Kashima Antlers

The Kashima Antlers call Mercari Stadium home, a venue in Kashima, Ibaraki that holds nearly 41,000 fans eager to watch their team dominate the J1 League. Founded in 1947 as an industrial squad for the Kashima Group before turning professional in 1993, the club has built a legacy unmatched in Japanese football history. They have won the league title nine times, a record that stands far above any other competitor.

Success on the continental stage defines much of their modern identity. The squad lifted the AFC Champions League trophy in 2018 and followed it up with back-to-back wins in the J.League Cup / Copa Sudamericana Championship during 2012 and 2013. Their dominance extends to domestic cups as well, securing six Emperor's Cups and four J.League Cups alongside multiple Suruga Bank Championships. [edit]

Kashima Group established the club in 1947 to foster sports among its employees. The team joined the newly formed J.League in 1993 as one of its founding members. Early struggles gave way to sustained excellence starting in the late 1990s, when they captured their first J1 League title in 1996. That victory launched a golden era where the club would eventually secure nine championships, including titles in 1998, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2016, 2020, and 2023.

International recognition arrived in 2018 when the Antlers defeated Al-Ain to win the AFC Champions League. This triumph was part of a broader period of consistency that saw them finish as runners-up in the tournament three times. The club also developed a reputation for nurturing talent, producing stars like Hidetoshi Nakata and Yasuhito Endo who moved to top European leagues while wearing the yellow and black kit. [edit]