Tochigi City FC

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, 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 .

Promotion to Japan Football League

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

Out on loan

Club staff

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References

References

1. "Grape picking in Ohira, Tochigi".
2. [https://mainichi.jp/articles/20181220/ddl/k09/050/064000c mainichi.jp]
3. [https://www.sankei.com/region/news/181220/rgn1812200021-n1.html sankei.com]
4. (2024-09-25). "2025シーズン Ｊ３クラブライセンス交付のお知らせ". 栃木シティFC.
5. "Ｊリーグ入会（Ｊ３）について：Ｊリーグ公式サイト（J.LEAGUE.jp）".
6. "Ｊ３昇格決定のお知らせ".
7. (2024-12-13). "2025シーズン 年間対戦カード決定のお知らせ".
8. (25 September 2025). "2026特別シーズン Ｊ２クラブライセンス交付のお知らせ".
9. (23 November 2025). "栃木シティを応援いただくすべての皆さまへ".
10. "Tochigi City FC".
11. "Club staff 2025".