BANGKOK, Thailand — Japan’s SV.LEAGUE will stage its first-ever official league matches outside Japan in Bangkok during the 2026-27 season, marking a major step in the competition’s international expansion and strengthening the growing connection between Japanese and Southeast Asian volleyball.
The women’s matches are scheduled for Oct. 10-11, 2026, while the men’s matches will follow on Jan. 23-24, 2027. Thailand was selected as the league’s first overseas market because of the country’s strong volleyball following and its potential as a gateway to the wider Southeast Asian region.
Through the Bangkok matches, SV.LEAGUE aims to build stronger connections with Thai fans while expanding its presence, fan base, commercial value and media reach across Asia. The initiative also forms part of the league’s broader ambition to establish itself among the world’s leading professional volleyball competitions.
The announcement was highlighted during a visit to Bangkok by four players from SV.LEAGUE clubs, including Thai volleyball stars Nootsara Tomkom of Aleeza Aichi and Hattaya Bamrungsuk of SAGA Hisamitsu Springs.
They were joined by Japanese players Shunsuke Nakamura of Osaka Bluteon and Reon Arao of Voreas Hokkaido. The players appeared at NIPPON HAKU BANGKOK on Aug. 29-30, giving fans and media an opportunity to hear directly about their experiences in Japan and the growing links between Thai and Japanese volleyball.
SV.LEAGUE Vice Chairman Takeshi Kubota also joined the Bangkok activities, with discussions centered on the league’s international growth strategy and its plans to expand beyond Japan. Satoko Toriyama, director of corporate communications and promotions, also represented the league.
The Bangkok matches represent an important milestone not only for SV.LEAGUE but also for the wider development and commercial growth of professional volleyball in Asia, creating new opportunities to bring elite club competition closer to fans across the region.
The initiative further underscores Thailand’s growing role as a major volleyball market in Asia and reflects the increasingly strong sporting ties between Thailand and Japan.
With the first official overseas matches now scheduled, SV.LEAGUE is set to bring its competition directly to Southeast Asian audiences while continuing its drive to expand the reach and visibility of professional volleyball across the continent.
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