Basketball - Yokohama Sports Teams Special

Basketball is a sport in which two teams of five players each compete to score points by putting the ball in the opponent's goal. The highlights of the game are the speedy switching of offenses and defenses and the intense contact play under the goal.
It was born in North America about 120 years ago and is one of the four major professional sports in the United States, along with American football, baseball, and ice hockey. Japanese players are also active in the NBA, the professional league in the United States!
In Japan, the popularity of the sport has soared since the 1990s, partly due to the influence of manga and anime, and a new professional league, B.LEAGUE, that started in 2016. It will certainly continue to attract more fans in the future.

Tips for a better sports experience!
Spectator's Guide

POINT1

Just before the game starts, cheerleaders will enliven the venue with an opening performance. The arena is also a highlight of the games, with flames and lights used to create a spectacular light show!

POINT2

Because of the close proximity between the spectator seats and the court, the ball and players sometimes fly into the spectator seats during the game! The basketball venue is a space where players and spectators become one, and you can't take your eyes off the action for a moment.

POINT3

The sight of the big players, some of them over two meters tall, running around the court is a sight to behold. One of the highlights of the basketball game are the dunk shots, in which a tall player slams the ball into the goal ring from just above the goal.

POINT4

B.LEAGUE’s halftime show is as good as that of the NBA in the United States. The mascots, who are a part of the club and enliven the halftime show, are also a must-see!

*Information of teams, players, uniforms and uniform numbers are as of March 2023.

Yokohama B-Corsairs

A basketball club belonging to the B1 division of B.LEAGUE, the men's professional basketball league. Home games are held in the main arena of Yokohama International Pool (Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama), Tokkei Security Hiratsuka Sogo Gymnasium in Hiratsuka City and Yokohama Budokan in Naka-ku, Yokohama City.
The team’s name, CORSAIRS, means "pirates" or "pirate fleet", and was selected from a total of 455 suggestions submitted from the public.
The emblem is based on the image of a ship bow in the shape of a pirate's cap. The pirate cap's rim forms the letter "Ha," and the emblem's groove forms the letter "Ma”. The emblem also features a rose, the city flower of Yokohama, as a symbol of the city's identity.
Also, a remark to the "B-ROSE" cheerleaders, who add color to the game with their cheering and professional performances.
Image: ©️B-CORSAIRS
Team Information
Home Stadium Yokohama International Pool
Address 7-3-1 Kitayamada, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama City
Official website (match information) https://b-corsairs.com/
Access to the stadium 5 min. walk from Kitayamada Station on Yokohama Municipal Subway Green Line
Parking Available

Yokohama Excellence

Yokohama Excellence is a professional basketball club in the B3 League that plays at Yokohama Budokan in Kannai as its home arena.
Under the slogan "Bringing smiles to many people's faces through sports," the club aims to bring smiles not only to basketball players but also to the many people supporting the club, bringing joy to the staff and players as well.
The club logo, which is based on the symbol of Yokohama, the gas lamp, is a symbol of the club's desire to "become a symbol of new vitality, attracting people, and lighting many smiles in this historic place”.
The home arena, Yokohama Budokan, is a 7-minute walk from JR Kannai Station and a 4-minute walk from Isezaki-choja-machi Station on the Blue Line, and Yokohama and Chinatown are also within walking distance.
At the game site, there will be not only a basketball game but also various booths and exhibits. "Pick&Roll", the mascot based on the Quokka motif, and the "Elegance" cheerleaders, make it a fun home game for families and individuals alike!
Team Information
Home Stadium Yokohama Budokan
Address 2-9-10 Okinacho, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Official website (match information) https://yokohama-ex.jp/
Access to the stadium 4 min. walk from Kannai Station (South Exit) on JR Negishi Line
Parking Available