The roar of the crowd, the vibrant colors of the stands, the sheer anticipation before kick-off – there's a unique energy that surrounds Urawa Red Diamonds games. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, there's a palpable buzz, a sense of unfolding narrative that fans are eager to follow.
The Meiji Yasuda J1 Centennial League schedule has been laid out, offering a roadmap for the team's campaign. Early February sees the Reds heading out for their first few fixtures. We'll see them face JEF United Ichihara Chiba on February 7th at the Fukuda Denshi Arena, followed by a trip to the Ajinomoto Stadium to play FC Tokyo on February 14th. The month rounds off with a challenging away match against Yokohama F･Marinos at Nissan Stadium on February 21st.
February and March are packed, with a mix of home and away games. The familiar roar of Saitama Stadium 2002 will be a welcome sound for Urawa Red Diamonds as they host Kashima Antlers on February 28th, followed by Mito Hollyhock on March 7th. The mid-week fixture on March 18th sees them back at home against Kashiwa Reysol, and then another home tie against FC Machida Zelvia on March 22nd.
As spring unfolds, the intensity continues. April brings encounters with Kawasaki Frontale, both away at Uvance Todoroki Stadium by Fujitsu and later at home in Saitama. There's also a return fixture against Tokyo Verdy on April 12th, and a significant away game against Kashima Antlers at Mercari Stadium on April 18th. The month concludes with a home double-header against Yokohama F･Marinos and Kawasaki Frontale, creating a crucial period for the team.
May sees the league phase drawing to a close with home games against JEF United Ichihara Chiba and FC Tokyo, interspersed with away trips to Kashiwa Reysol and Mito Hollyhock. The season culminates in playoff rounds, with the first leg potentially taking place on May 30th or 31st, and the second leg back at the iconic Saitama Stadium 2002 on June 6th.
Beyond the match schedule, there are always exciting developments off the pitch. The mention of the "REX CLUB 2026 Special Tournament REGULAR Member Early Registration Campaign" hints at fan engagement initiatives, and the "All-You-Can-Fill Mini Drawstring Bag Challenge" scheduled for January 10th-12th adds a touch of fun and community spirit. The "Opening Ceremony Blanket" for the Kashima match also underscores the club's commitment to rewarding its loyal supporters.
With a roster featuring players like forwards Renji Hidano and Sota Matsunaga, and solid defenders such as Hirokazu Ishihara and Takuya Ogiwara, Urawa Red Diamonds is building a squad with depth and potential. The goalkeeping department, with Ayumi Niekawa and Shun Yoshida, also looks strong. It's this blend of established talent and the promise of new beginnings that makes following the Urawa Red Diamonds journey so compelling.