; formerly known as is a Japanese association football club that plays in the

J1 League The , known as the for sponsorship reasons, is the top level of the system. Founded in 1992, it is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football. Contested by 18 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the J ...

, and have for all but one season since the inauguration of the league, following promotion from the

J2 League The or simply J2 is the second division of the and the second level of the Japanese association football league system. The top tier is represented by the J1 League. It (along with the rest of the J.League) is currently sponsored by Meiji Yas ...

in 2017. Based in Nagoya,

Aichi Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshū. Aichi Prefecture has a population of 7,552,873 () and a geographic area of with a population density of . Aichi Prefecture borders Mie Prefecture to the west, Gifu Prefectur ...

and founded as the

company team A works team (sometimes factory team, company team) is a sports team that is financed and run by a manufacturer or other business. Sometimes, works teams contain or are entirely made up of employees of the supporting company. Association footb ...

of the

Toyota Motor Corp. is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan. It was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda and incorporated on . Toyota is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, producing about 10 m ...

in 1939, the club shares its home games between

Mizuho Athletic Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Nagoya, Japan. It was formerly known as Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium ( ja, 名古屋市瑞穂公園陸上競技場, Nagoyashi Mizuho Kōen Rikujō Kyōgijō). Since April 2015 it has been called Paloma ...

(capacity 27,000 and the J.League's oldest serving stadium) and the much larger Toyota Stadium in the city of Toyota (capacity 45,000). Grampus had its most successful season up to 1996 when it was managed by

Arsène Wenger Arsène Charles Ernest Wenger (; born 22 October 1949) is a French former association football, football Manager (association football), manager and football player, player who is currently serving as FIFA's Chief of Global Football Developme ...

, well known for his subsequent exploits at

Arsenal An arsenal is a place where arms and ammunition are made, maintained and repaired, stored, or issued, in any combination, whether privately or publicly owned. Arsenal and armoury (British English) or armory (American English) are mostly ...

. They won the

Emperor's Cup , commonly known as or also Japan FA Cup is a Japanese football competition. It has the longest tradition of any football match in Japan, dating back to 1921, before the formation of the J.League, Japan Football League and their predecessor, J ...

and finished second in the J.League, with their FR Yugoslavia captain Dragan Stojković being named J.League MVP. The 1995 success was eclipsed on November 20, 2010, when the club won its first J.League trophy, under the management of Stojković. The team's name was derived from two prominent symbols of Nagoya. The first is the '' shachihoko'' (tiger-headed carp) statues atop

Nagoya Castle is a Japanese castle located in Nagoya, Japan. Nagoya Castle was constructed by the Owari Domain in 1612 during the Edo period on the site of an earlier castle of the Oda clan in the Sengoku period. Nagoya Castle was the heart of one of the ...

, also called ''shachi''; this word is a homophone with the Japanese word for orca, a species formerly referred to as "grampus". The second is the ''maru-hachi'' (circle-eight), Nagoya's official emblem. The team's mascot is Grampus-kun, an orca.

History

Japan Soccer League era

Toyota Motor SC was overshadowed by its colleague Toyota Automated Loom Works SC (founded in 1946 and which was one of the founding members of the Japan Soccer League). When Toyota ALW were relegated to regional leagues in 1968, Toyota Motor saw an opportunity to rise at their expense. In

1972 Within the context of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) it was the longest year ever, as two leap seconds were added during this 366-day year, an event which has not since been repeated. (If its start and end are defined using Solar time, me ...

, the club was founding members of the JSL's Second Division and its inaugural champions. They remained in the JSL until the J.League's founding in 1993. They were relegated to the JSL Division 2 in

1977 Events January * January 8 – Three bombs explode in Moscow within 37 minutes, killing seven. The bombings are attributed to an Armenian separatist group. * January 10 – Mount Nyiragongo erupts in eastern Zaire (now the Democratic R ...

. In 1990, the club name was changed to "Nagoya Grampus Eight". After a brief return in 1987–88, they were promoted for good in 1989–90 and remained in the top flight for 26 years, until

2016 File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses during the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh ...

J.League era

Grampus Eight was an original member (''"Original Ten"'') of the

J.League The , officially is Japan's professional football league including the first division J1 League, second division J2 League and third division J3 League of the Japanese association football league system. J1 League is one of the most successfu ...

in 1993. In 1996, future

manager

led Grampus to the 1996

and a runners-up finish in the

, the club's best finish. The team's name "Nagoya Grampus Eight" was changed to just "Nagoya Grampus" at the start of the 2008 season. In 2008, Nagoya appointed former player Dragan Stojković as manager. They finished in third place and qualified for the

AFC Champions League The AFC Champions League (abbreviated as ACL) is an annual continental club football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation, and contested by Asia's top-division football clubs. It is the most prestigious club competition ...

for the first time. Stojković has since led the club to winning the J.League in the 2010 season, featuring a squad consisting of Marcus Tulio Tanaka,

Mu Kanazaki is a Japanese professional footballer who plays for J2 League club Oita Trinita. He scored the two goals that gave his team the title of the 2016 J1 League over Urawa Red Diamonds. Club career On 25 March 2020, Kanazaki returned to Nagoya Gram ...

, Seigo Narazaki,

Yoshizumi Ogawa is a Japanese retired footballer and assistant manager of Sagan Tosu from 2023. Career Club Ogawa was released by Nagoya Grampus after 10 years with the club on 10 November 2016 following the club's relegation to J2 League. Manager After retir ...

, Keiji Tamada and

Joshua Kennedy Joshua Blake Kennedy (born 20 August 1982) is an Australian former professional footballer who played as a striker for the Australia national soccer team. Kennedy is known by Australian fans as "Jesus" due to his apparent resemblance to tradi ...

. After a poor 2016 season, Grampus were relegated to

for the first time in their history. Boško Gjurovski left his post as manager. On 4 January 2017,

Yahiro Kazama is a Japanese manager and former footballer. He played for the Japan national team. He is the first Japanese player to score in the J1 League. His two sons Koki Kazama and Koya Kazama are also footballers. Club career Kazama was born in S ...

was appointed as the club's new manager. On 3 December 2017, Grampus drew 0–0 against Avispa Fukuoka in the promotion playoff final, securing promotion back to

at the first time of asking due to their higher regular season position than Avispa Fukuoka. On 23 September 2019, Massimo Ficcadenti was appointed as the club's new manager. The Italian manager led the club the winner of the J.League Cup in 2021. However, Grampus didn't renew a contract with Ficcadenti, and appointed Kenta Hasegawa as their new manager.

Kashima Soccer Stadium curse

Since Grampus were dealt a 5–0 defeat by the

Kashima Antlers are a football club in Kashima, Ibaraki, currently playing in the J1 League, top tier of Japanese professional football leagues. The name ''Antlers'' is derived from the city name, Kashima, which literally means "deer island". The club has fi ...

at the

Kashima Soccer Stadium is a football stadium in the city of Kashima, in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. It is the home stadium of the Kashima Antlers, a team in the J1 League. The stadium has a capacity of 40,728.1993 J.League The J.League 1993 season was the inaugural season of the J.League Division 1. The league fixtures began on 15 May 1993, and ended on 15 December 1993. The first ever Suntory Championship took place in the following year, 9 January and 16 January ...

season opener, Grampus suffered a losing streak of 22 consecutive games to the

at the

Kashima Soccer Stadium is a football stadium in the city of Kashima, in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. It is the home stadium of the Kashima Antlers, a team in the J1 League. The stadium has a capacity of 40,728.Emperor's Cup , commonly known as or also Japan FA Cup is a Japanese football competition. It has the longest tradition of any football match in Japan, dating back to 1921, before the formation of the J.League, Japan Football League and their predecessor, J ...

and J.League Cup games. Grampus finally got their first victory over the Kashima Antlers at the Kashima Soccer Stadium on 23 August of the 2008 J.League season, some 15 years later.

Affiliated clubs

* AS Roma (2022−''present'') On 25 November 2022, Nagoya Grampus sign partnership with Serie A club, AS Roma.

In popular culture

In the ''

Captain Tsubasa is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yōichi Takahashi. The series mainly revolves around the sport of association football focusing on Tsubasa Oozora and his relationship with his friends, rivalries with h ...

manga Manga (Japanese: 漫画 ) are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long prehistory in earlier Japanese art. The term ''manga'' is u ...

series, one character was player of Nagoya Grampus and is the goalkeeper Ken Wakashimazu which was player of Yokohama Flügels before the closing of the Yokohama team. In 2013, the midfielder Shingo Aoi wear the Nagoya Grampus jersey in a Yoichi Takahashi tribute to the 20 years of

Kit and colours

Kit evolution

Current squad

Out on loan

Nagoya Grampus U-18

The main U-18 team of Nagoya Grampus currently plays in the Prince Takamado U-18 Premier League, the top-flight league for U-18 clubs in the country. Only the registered players for the competition will be displayed.

Club officials

Manager history

''Information correct as of match played 4 December 2021. Only competitive matches are counted.'' *Notes:

Personnel awards

* J.League Player of the Year :* Dragan Stojković (1995) :* Seigo Narazaki (2010) *

J.League Top Scorer The J.League Top Scorer is awarded by the J.League to the top scoring player of the season. Wins by club See also *List of J.League awards, J.League awards *Japanese football champions, for Japan Soccer League predecessors. References ULTRAZO ...

Ueslei Ueslei Raimundo Pereira da Silva or better known as Ueslei (born 19 April 1972 in Salvador, Brazil) is a Brazilian former football player. Ueslei played for Bahia, Vitória and Atlético Mineiro in the Campeonato Brasileiro. Club statist ...

(2003) :*

(2010, 2011) :* Jô (2018) * J.League Best Eleven :* Dragan Stojković (1995, 1996, 1999) :*

(2003) :* Seigo Narazaki (2003, 2008, 2010, 2011) :* Marques (2004) :*

(2008) :*

(2010, 2011) :*

Danilson Córdoba Luis Danilson Córdoba Rodríguez is a Colombian footballer who plays for Independiente Medellín. Club career On 5 January 2010 Nagoya Grampus have signed the Colombian midfielder on loan from Consadole Sapporo until the remainder of the curren ...

(2010) :* Marcus Tulio Tanaka (2010, 2011, 2012) :*

Takahiro Masukawa is a former Japanese football. Club statistics Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社"2017 J1&J2&J3選手名鑑 (NSK MOOK)" 8 February 2017, Japan, (p. 125 out of 289) Personal honours *J.League Best Eleven - ...

(2010) :*

Jungo Fujimoto is a former Japanese football player. He has previously played for Shimizu S-Pulse, Nagoya Grampus, Yokohama F. Marinos and the Japan national team. He is a left-footed play-making midfielder. Playing career Early years Fujimoto was educat ...

(2011) :* Jô (2018) *

J.League Rookie of the Year The J.League Best Young Player (formerly known as the "J.League Rookie of the Year" from 1993 to 2019) is awarded by the J.League to the most outstanding rookie of the season. To be considered a rookie, a player must be in his first professional y ...

(2008) *

J.League Manager of the Year J.League Manager of the Year is an annual award given to one manager by the J.League based on their performance during the season. In the past, the award usually went to the manager of the champions, though this has varied somewhat over the years. ...

(1995) :* Dragan Stojković (2010)

World Cup players

The following players have been selected by their country in the World Cup, while playing for Nagoya Grampus: * Takashi Hirano (

1998 1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''. Events January * January 6 – The '' Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for frozen water, in soil in permanently ...

) * Dragan Stojković (

) * Seigo Narazaki (

2002 File:2002 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The 2002 Winter Olympics are held in Salt Lake City; Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and her daughter Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon die; East Timor gains East Timor independence, indepe ...

2006 File:2006 Events Collage V1.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2006 Winter Olympics open in Turin; Twitter is founded and launched by Jack Dorsey; The Nintendo Wii is released; Montenegro 2006 Montenegrin independence referendum, votes to declare ...

2010 File:2010 Events Collage New.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2010 Chile earthquake was one of the strongest recorded in history; The Eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland disrupts air travel in Europe; A scene from the opening ceremony of ...

) * Keiji Tamada (

) *

(

) * Marcus Tulio Tanaka (

)

Record as J.League member

;Key

Honours

As Toyota Motor SC (1939–1991) and as Nagoya Grampus (1991–''Present'')

League history

*Regional League ( Tokai Adult Soccer League): 1966–71 *Division 2 (

JSL JSL may refer to: * JSL, Joint Station LAN, International Space Station * JSL S.A., a Brazilian logistic company * '' Japanese: The Spoken Language'', a Japanese textbook ** JSL romanization, the romanization system used in the text * Jamaican Sig ...

Div. 2): 1972 *Division 1 (JSL Div. 1): 1973–77 *Division 2 (JSL Div. 2): 1978–86 *Division 1 (JSL Div. 1): 1987 *Division 2 (JSL Div. 2): 1988–89 *Division 1 (JSL Div. 1): 1990–91 *Division 1 ( J.League Div. 1): 1992–2016 *Division 2 (

): 2017 *Division 1 (J.League Div. 1): 2018 : 33 seasons in the top tier, 12 seasons in the second tier and 6 seasons in the Regional Leagues.

Notes

References

External links

*
Fans' account
on X {{Authority control Association football clubs established in 1991 1991 establishments in Japan J.League clubs Japan Soccer League clubs Football clubs in Japan Sports clubs and teams in Nagoya Emperor's Cup winners Japanese League Cup winners