The astonishing collaboration of soccer and music!? Looking into the big “GAMBA SONIC” event with famous artists in attendance!

Hello! I’m Kentaro Iizuka, who joined the company in April 2022, and works in the Sports Public Relations Division’s 3.

What do you usually do on weekends? I think everyone has their own way of enjoying themselves, whether it is relaxing at home or enjoying their hobbies to the fullest.

I personally, am a big fan of a football club called Gamba Osaka! Therefore, I spend my weekends exclusively watching their soccer games.

This time, Gamba Osaka is holding an event called “GAMBA SONIC” for the first time, so I decided to go visit their home stadium, the Panasonic Stadium Suita!

Their first ever event “GAMBA SONIC” was very memorable. It was an event that even people who are new to sports watching can enjoy without knowing much about soccer. I would like to report on the event from my perspective as a fan of the club!

What is GAMBA SONIC?

First of all, what is GAMBA SONIC? Let me give you a brief explanation!

On the occasion of its 30th anniversary last October, Gamba Osaka has taken up the challenge of creating a new brand concept called “JAPAN’S BEST SPORTS EXPERIENCE BRAND” to offer new experiences inside and outside the stadium.

As part of this, Gamba Osaka held their first event “GAMBA SONIC” with a unique concept of collaboration with music and sports.

Let’s go to the stadium!

After about 30 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station, we arrived at the Bampaku-kinenkōen Station (Osaka Monorail), the nearest station to the stadium. The path from the station to the stadium was decorated with Gamba Osaka banners and photos of the players, which got me very excited!

Panasonic Stadium Suita

Walking past the decorations for Gamba Osaka, you’ll arrive at the stadium in no time! This is the Panasonic Stadium Suita, also known as the “Panasta”. The stylish exterior and the images of the players were very cool!

The excitement extends outside the stadium too!

In front of the stadium were crowded with people lining up in front of many food stalls and booths. Specifically, the “Suita G Stage,” was filled with a large crowd. As we approached, we found the Gamba Osaka cheerleading team giving an outstanding performance!

Gamba Osaka cheerleading team performing!

The “G Stage” sometimes features live performances by musicians and appearances by special guests. One of the joys of watching soccer matches is the full experience of watching a soccer game aside from watching the game itself, such as stage performances and gourmet foods at the stadium! The author and I also took some photos at the photo booth to commemorate the game.

From left to right: Gamba Osaka fans Ninomiya, Iizuka, and Koyama.

Highlights of “GAMBA SONIC” #1 You can get a limited edition SONIC shirt only on this day!

After taking a commemorative photo, we entered the stadium. A staff member handed me a black shirt.

Yes, the shirt was indeed a SONIC shirt! And, to our surprise, those who entered the stadium with home-side tickets were given the limited-edition T-shirt as a free gift!

Gamba Boy, the mascot of Gamba Osaka　©GAMBAOSAKA

Even if it’s your first time coming to a soccer game, this shirt will make you feel a sense of unity and team spirit while cheering for the team!

Highlights of “GAMBA SONIC” #2 Top J-POP DJ “DJ Kazu” will be there!

DJ Kazu, a J-POP DJ who has performed at major events in Japan and abroad, will be at the event. DJ Kazu will entertain the crowd with his catchy beats.

The real DJ Kazu was there!　@GANBAOSAKA

While listening to the J-POP music playing at the venue, I bought a “Takoyaki with a big octopus” from the Panasta’s specialty, Tako-ya Dotonbori Kukuru, as a game time snack while watching the game. Now I felt all ready for kickoff.

Highlights of “GAMBA SONIC” #3 Popular artist “Def Tech” performs live!

Finally, the players made their grand entrance. Def Tech, who has recently announced his first nationwide tour in three years, performed “Bolero,” Gamba Osaka’s entrance song for this season, live on the pitch during the entrance of the players. It was a true fusion of soccer and music, and the song gave me goosebumps!

Def Tech sings “My Way”!

Def Tech also performed live on the pitch during halftime and sang “My Way,” one of their most popular songs. What a great surprise !

The live performance was so awesome that not only the Gamba Osaka supporters but also the supporters of Yokohama F. Marinos, the team that will be playing against Gamba Osaka this time, were excited!

The match was heated!

And finally, the kickoff! Yokohama F. Marinos, the league leaders, and Gamba Osaka, aiming to advance to the top of the table. What kind of match will be in store?

Gamba Osaka was aggressive in the first half, and Dawhan scored the first goal of the game, taking advantage of an early mistake by the opponent. Gamba Osaka takes a 1-0 lead in the first half.

However, in the second half, The Marinos gradually began to dominate the game, scoring goals in the 11th and 16th minutes of the second half in quick succession. The score quickly became 1-2. Gamba Osaka, now behind, was unable to regain the pace of the game, and the game ended 1-2….

Although it was a frustrating result for Gamba Osaka, it was a very exciting match as they were able to play well against the top-ranked team.

Although Gamba Osaka, my favorite team, lost the game, I was very satisfied with the food, performances, and other attractions inside and outside the venue! GAMBA SONIC” is also featured on the official YouTube page, so be sure to check it out!

Gamba Osaka is also taking on many other challenges to create new experiences inside and outside the stadium.

For example, the “Gamba Osaka Soccer Business Academy,” a business seminar for working adults, shares the club’s management know-how cultivated over the course of its history, and challenges the students to get involved and come up with implementation plans. Please take a look at the blog post below for more details.

In addition, the annual “GAMBA EXPO 2022” will be held on Sunday, August 14, during the 25th match of the  MEIJI YASUDA J1.LEAGUE against Shimizu S-Pulse. This year, under the theme of “A New Start,” the club will collaborate with an apparel brand for the first time in the club’s history for the collaborative uniform!

And now, tickets with a commemorative collaboration shirt with “BEAUTY&YOUTH UNITED ARROWS” are on sale!

Why not visit Panasta to make your summer memories as well?