RB Omiya Ardija

RasenBallsport Omiya Ardija or RB Ōmiya Ardija is a Japanese professional association football club based in Ōmiya, Saitama Prefecture. Its "hometown" is shared with neighbours Urawa Red Diamonds. The team currently play in J2 League, the Japanese second tier of professional football, after promotion from the third tier in 2024.
The club was known as Ōmiya Ardija '', before club administration was taken over by Red Bull GmbH in late November 2024 who renamed the club.

Crest

Ōmiya Ardija's original crest features a squirrel on the right, which is the animal of Omiya. On the left, there are 5 lines, which reference the historic roads that run through Omiya, including the famous Nakasendō, which runs to the Hikawa Shrine, right near Nack5 Stadium.
On 6 November 2024, Ōmiya Ardija officially change crest and name to RB Ōmiya Ardija after being acquired by Red Bull GmbH from 2025. The club retained their colours but adopted a new logo which is identical to other Red Bull owned clubs.
The former nickname of Omiya is Risu, squirrel in Japanese.

History

The team were founded in 1968 as NTT Saitama Soccer Selection in Urawa, Saitama and later known as the NTT Kantō Soccer Club in 1969. They were first promoted to the Japan Soccer League Division 2 in 1987/88, and when the JSL folded, joined the former Japan Football League.
In 1998 the club was separately incorporated as NTT Sport Community K.K. based in Ōmiya to participate in the J. League. The name "Ardija" is a transcription of the Spanish language ardilla which is the mascot of Ōmiya and the park in which their home stadium is located.
Their matches against Urawa Red Diamonds have been called the "Saitama derby".
From 2005 to 2007, most of Ōmiya's home matches were held at Saitama Stadium 2002 and Urawa Komaba Stadium due to expansion works at their home ground. In October 2007 the expansion was complete. On November 11, the re-opening match was held as a J. League season match between the Ōmiya and Ōita Trinita.
Ōmiya competed in the J1 League following an immediate promotion in 2015 after being relegated in 2014. Ōmiya was relegated again following the 2017 season. They competed in J1 2005 and continued to remain until 2014, following promotion from J2 in 2004 as the second placed team.
In 2023, Ōmiya were relegated to J3 League after six seasons stint in second division due to worst performance and played third division football for the first time since 1993.

New ownership

On 15 February 2024, before the start of the season, Sports Nippon reported that Austrian energy drink maker Red Bull may buy a J.League club, and that Ōmiya Ardija was the leading candidate. On July 26 of the same year, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that Red Bull had reached an agreement in principle to buy Ōmiya Ardija.
In August 2024, Omiya Ardija announced Red Bull as their new owner, after acquiring 100% of the club shares, formerly owned by NTT, becoming part of their multi-club ownership. This will be the first time that a foreign company has become the sole owner of a major Japanese professional sports team, including the J.League. Red Bull began by acquiring management rights to Austrian first division club Salzburg in 2005 and now owns six clubs: Leipzig in Bundesliga, New York Red Bulls in the United States MLS, Liefering in Admiral 2. Liga, Bragantino in Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A and Red Bull Brasil in the Sao Paulo State Championship. In the past, they also owned Red Bull Ghana in Africa and Omiya will be the eighth club they own.
NTT East will continue to support the company as a sponsor even after the transfer of shares.
On 13 October 2024, Ōmiya secured promotion to the J2 League after defeating Fukushima United 3–2, thus returning to the second tier after a one year absence. Six days later, Omiya secured the J3 League title with a 1–1 draw against Imabari in matchweek 33.

Stadiums

Their home field is Nack5 Stadium Ōmiya: Ōmiya Football Stadium by the naming rights with occasional games being played at the Kumagaya Athletic Stadium.

Mascots

Ōmiya Ardija has two squirrels as its mascots, named Ardi and Miya. Both wear the team kits. According to the club website, Miya is one size smaller than Ardi, being then, slightly shorter than him.

Players

Out on loan

''Past players who are the subjects of Wikipedia articles should be found here''