Tokyo-The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., will support a second pre-season match in Japan of Premier League Chelsea FC, for which the Company is an official club partner. The second match (Rakuten Cup) will be played against FC Barcelona, 2017/18 Spanish League ‘La Liga’ Champions, on July 23, 2019, at Saitama Stadium 2002.

In addition to the events surrounding the previously announced first match on July 19 against the 2018 J.League Champions, Kawasaki Frontale, fan events and lucky draws will also be scheduled around this match day, and Yokohama Rubber will offer opportunities for Japanese football fans to experience the exciting atmosphere up close. Pre-season matches are held before the start of the Premier League season, which begins in August. The fixtures tend to be held outside of England, with matches held in the United States (2015, 2016), China (2017), Singapore (2017), and Australia (2018), since Yokohama Rubber started its partnership with Chelsea. Chelsea’s pre-season matches in Japan were Yokohama Rubber’s wish, and the two big matches against Kawasaki Frontale (July 19) and FC Barcelona have now been realized. Yokohama Rubber will work closely with Chelsea while the team is in Japan to bring Japanese fans closer to the “Blues” ahead of the 2019/20 season.

To date, Yokohama Rubber and Chelsea FC have co-organized two Chelsea Legend fan events in Japan, with Frank Lampard in 2017 and Didier Drogba in 2018. Chelsea FC Men’s team will play in Japan for the first time since the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup. Chelsea star players are scheduled to join the preseason tour, with the “Blues” bringing their strongest possible squad, and a high-level battle is expected for the both matches.

Rakuten Cup
FC Barcelona vs Chelsea FC
Friday 23 July
Saitama Stadium 2002