横浜よこはま「日産にっさんスタジアム」命名めいめい権けん 半額はんがく以下いかで日産にっさんと1年間いちねんかん契約けいやく更新こうしん

The city of Yokohama announced that it has renewed the naming rights contract for Nissan Stadium with Nissan Motor at an annual fee of 50 million yen—less than half the current amount—for one year, and that from 2027 onward, it will widely solicit applications from other companies as well.

The city says that if the name is changed, it will require at least an additional 150 million yen to replace signs and so on.

On the 19th, senior city officials formally explained this at the city councils standing committee and announced their policy to begin the specific application process in May 2026.

In response, several city council members asked questions about additional costs that would be necessary if the name were to be changed. The city indicated that replacing signs and road markers bearing the stadiums name would require at least 150 million yen in total.

Regarding the naming rights of Nissan Stadium, the city has been negotiating preferentially with Nissan at the time of contract renewal, but for the next renewal, they have decided to change this approach, so there is a possibility that the name Nissan Stadium, which has been familiar for 20 years, may change.

This is a historic stadium that has hosted many memorable moments, serving as the home ground for Yokohama F. Marinos in the J1 soccer league, as well as the venue for the finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan and the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Since Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. acquired the naming rights in 2005, the venue has been affectionately known as Nissan Stadium for the past 20 years.

After that, although the contract period varied depending on the time, the contract had been renewed at an annual amount of 100 million to 150 million yen. However, this time, the contract has been renewed at 50 million yen per year, which is the lowest amount so far.

According to the city of Yokohama, if the name is changed, more than 800 signs at public facilities alone will need to be replaced. In addition, not only city buses but also nearby bus stops used by private bus companies use the name Nissan Stadium, so changing all of these would require a considerable amount of time and money.

For this reason, the city plans to conduct a public solicitation after securing a sufficient transition period, aiming to minimize the impact caused by the name change.

Local residents expressed various opinions, such as wanting to keep the familiar name they have known for many years, or saying that as long as the facility remains, there is no problem.

A man in his twenties living in Yokohama said, Ive also run in a track and field competition held at the stadium.

Since everyone calls it Nissan Stadium, I think many people would feel strange if the name changed, he said.

Also, a man in his 30s from Kohoku Ward, where the stadium is located, said, I think its inevitable that the name will change, but Ive always been used to the name Nissan Stadium, so Im a little sad that its going to be open for public suggestions.

On the other hand, a woman in her 70s who lives in the city and often uses the pool attached to the stadium said, I think automobile companies are also in a tough situation due to the impact of U.S. tariffs.

I dont really care what the name is, he said.

Furthermore, a woman in her 40s who lives in the city said, I dont feel anything about the name changing.

Even if the name changes, the facility itself doesnt, so I think well gradually get used to it.

However, since it has always been Nissan, Im curious whether the new name will catch on.