On 25 September 2025, Tochigi City FC announce official that team were acquire a J2 License, meaning that Tochigi City can be promoted to the J2 League once they are able to finish the season in the promotion zone.<ref>{{cite web |title=2026特別シーズン Ｊ２クラブライセンス交付のお知らせ |url=https://tochigi-city.com/new/2025/09/25/20250925001/ |website=栃木シティFC OfficialSite |date=25 September 2025 |access-date=30 September 2025|language=ja }}</ref>
On 25 September 2025, Tochigi City FC announce official that team were acquire a J2 License, meaning that Tochigi City can be promoted to the J2 League once they are able to finish the season in the promotion zone.<ref>{{cite web |title=2026特別シーズン Ｊ２クラブライセンス交付のお知らせ |url=https://tochigi-city.com/new/2025/09/25/20250925001/ |website=栃木シティFC OfficialSite |date=25 September 2025 |access-date=30 September 2025|language=ja }}</ref>
On 23 November 2025, Tochigi City secure promotion to [[J2 League]] for the first time in their history after defeat [[AC Nagano Parceiro|Nagano Parceiro]] 3–0 in City Football Station on matchweek 37, their final home match of the season and ended in third tier at one year.<ref>{{cite web |title=2026特別シーズン Ｊ２クラブライセンス交付のお知らせ |url=https://tochigi-city.com/new/2025/09/25/20250925001/ |website=栃木シティFC OfficialSite |date=25 September 2025 |access-date=30 September 2025|language=ja }}</ref>
== League and cup record ==
== League and cup record ==
Association football club in Japan
Football club
Tochigi City Football Club (栃木シティフットボールクラブ, Tochigi Shiti Futtobōrukurabu), commonly known as Tochigi City (栃木シティ, Tochigi Shiti Efushi) is a Japanese football club based in Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture. The club set to plays in the second tier J2 League from 2026–27, after promotion from the J3 League in 2025.
Origin name
In 2006, Tochigi was adopted the moniker Uva (meaning “grape” in Italian, Portuguese and Spanish). Grapes are a specialty in the area of Ohira Town,[1] which is the location of the Hitachi Tochigi Plant in Tochigi Prefecture.
History
The club was formed in 1947 as Hitachi Tochigi Soccer Club, the works team of the local Hitachi, Ltd. affiliate.
After finishing as a runners-up in the local Kanto Soccer League in 2009 season, they were promoted to the 2010 Japan Football League through the All Japan Regional Football Promotion League Series. Prior to their first season in JFL, the club has dropped Hitachi prefix in its name and changed the reference to sport from “soccer” to “football” following general Japanese trend. From the 2019 season, the club has adopted the new name as Tochigi City .[2][3]
In 2023, Tochigi City secured promotion to Japan Football League after defeating Tsukuba 4–0 in final day of 2023 Japanese Regional Football Champions League, Champions of Japanese Regional Football Champions League for the first time in their history due to finishing in second place in Kanto Soccer League and a return to fourth tier after six years absence since change name from Tochigi Uva.
Promotion to J. League
On 24 September 2024, Tochigi City announced that it was officially granted a J3 Club License after approval from the J. League Board of Directors. [4]
On 17 November 2024, Tochigi City secured the 2024 Japan Football League championship and promotion to the J3 League for the first time in history after defeating Atletico Suzuka 6–0 in Kanseki Stadium Tochigi in match week 29, their final home match of the season, returning to the third tier after 11 years.[5][6]
On 13 December 2024, Tochigi City officially announced their first J3 League home game will be against SC Sagamihara on 16 February 2025 and their first away game will be against relegated team from J2, Thespa Gunma on 24 February 2025.[7] Tochigi City will also compete in the Tochigi Derby against Tochigi SC.
On 25 September 2025, Tochigi City FC announce official that team were acquire a J2 License, meaning that Tochigi City can be promoted to the J2 League once they are able to finish the season in the promotion zone.[8]
On 23 November 2025, Tochigi City secure promotion to J2 League for the first time in their history after defeat Nagano Parceiro 3–0 in City Football Station on matchweek 37, their final home match of the season and ended in third tier at one year.[9]
League and cup record
- Key
- Pos. = Position in league; P = Games played; W = Games won; D = Games drawn; L = Games lost; F = Goals scored; A = Goals conceded; GD = Goals difference; Pts = Points gained
- † Number of games played reduced by COVID-19 worldwide pandemic
Honours
Current squad
As of 22 August 2025.[10]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Club staff
- As of the 2025 season.
