Nagoya Grampus (名古屋グランパス , Nagoya Guranpasu) (formerly known as Nagoya Grampus Eight (名古屋グランパスエイト , Nagoya Guranpasu Eito) ) is a Japanese association football club that plays in the J2 League, following relegation from the J1 League in 2016. Based in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture and founded as the company team of the Toyota Motor Corp. in 1939, the club shares its home games between Mizuho Athletic Stadium (capacity 27,000 and the J. League's oldest-serving stadium) and the much larger Toyota Stadium (capacity 45,000).
The team had its most successful season up to 1995 when it was managed by current Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger. It won the prestigious Emperor's Cup and finished second in the J. League, with Dragan Stojković and Gary Lineker on the team. The 1995 success was eclipsed on November 20, 2010, when the club won its first J. League trophy, under the management of Stojković.
The team's name was derived from the two most prominent symbols of Nagoya: the two golden grampus dolphins on the top of Nagoya Castle (which can be more accurately described as shachihoko, a mythological creature part of the local folklore), and the Maru-Hachi (Circle eight), the city's official symbol. The use of an orca in the team's logo is likely a reference to the fact that the kanji for shachihoko (鯱) can be pronounced "shachihoko" (the aforementioned mythical creature) or "shachi" (orca).
Toyota Motor S.C. was overshadowed by its colleague Toyota Automated Loom Works FC (founded in 1946 and which was one of the founding members of the Japan Soccer League). When Toyota ALW were relegated to regional leagues in 1968, Toyota Motor saw an opportunity to rise at their expense.
In 1972 Toyota Motors were founding members of the JSL's Second Division and its inaugural champions. They remained in the JSL until the J. League's founding in 1993. They were relegated to the JSL Division 2 in 1977. After a brief return in 1987–88, they were promoted for good in 1989–90 and remained in the top flight for 26 years, until 2016.
There is no schedule or ticket right now.
日本、〒502-0817 岐阜県岐阜市長良福光 大野 ２６７５ ２８ Map