MLS’s San Diego FC Recruits ‘Captain Tsubasa’ As Anime’s Mainstream Sports Crossover Continues

Major League Soccer club San Diego FC has partnered with Viz Media and its iconic franchise, Captain Tsubasa, bringing one of anime and manga’s most famous sports franchises to an American soccer stadium.

The collaboration will be celebrated during SDFC’s Baja Cup match against Club Tijuana at Snapdragon Stadium on September 16. A special ticket package includes admission to the match and a limited-edition Captain Tsubasa scarf; further details about the matchday experience will be announced.

Created by Yōichi Takahashi, Captain Tsubasa follows a young soccer prodigy as he pursues his dream of winning the World Cup. Since debuting as a manga in 1981, the property has expanded through numerous animated adaptations and become particularly influential among professional players worldwide.

The partnership is another sign of anime’s growing presence in mainstream sports culture. As we previously reported, teams and leagues are increasingly using anime collaborations to connect with younger, highly engaged audiences. Recent examples include a Demon Slayer promotion with the Los Angeles Dodgers and a One Piece-themed Los Angeles Lakers game, while athletes across basketball, baseball, soccer, and professional wrestling have publicly embraced anime fandom.

For San Diego FC, the fit is especially natural. Unlike many sports-anime partnerships built around unrelated franchises, Captain Tsubasa celebrates soccer culture, making the event both a marketing crossover and a meeting of two established fan communities.