KIVALLOS 京都
A new men’s professional volleyball club from Kyoto, Japan
UPCOMING
Scheduled appearances and events in the coming weeks.
The team name is KIVALLOS Kyoto.
Announced on Wednesday 16 September 2026 at the team name & inaugural squad press conference.
From 531 entries submitted by the people of Kyoto, and after selection by the steering committee and our civic judges, the club's new name has been decided: KIVALLOS Kyoto (read “Kivallos Kyoto”).
KIVALLOS blends two roots — kibaru, the Kyoto word for “giving it your all,” and the horse, an animal deeply tied to Kyoto. The horse's spring, speed and teamwork map naturally onto volleyball; and three Kyoto shrines (Fujinomori, Kifune and Kamigamo) have long honoured the horse as a shared guardian. The name carries the wish to fight on behalf of Kyoto and to draw good fortune to the club.
Read the full story in NEWSNAMED BY
Yamamoto Shin'u
First-year, Narabigaoka Junior High School, Kyoto — volleyball team
"I want the team to give everything for Kyoto — with the horse's gift and the wish for victory. I play volleyball myself, and this is the team I hope to join one day."
NEWOur official LINE account is now open.
Add on LINECOUNTDOWN TO V LEAGUE
2027.11 ─ Enter the V.LEAGUE
About KIVALLOS Kyoto
KIVALLOS Kyoto is a new men’s professional volleyball club based in Kyoto, Japan. Aiming to join the V.LEAGUE in 2027, the club is built around AI-native management and ØRIME, its student project. This is a new challenge in volleyball, starting from Kyoto.
- 01
KYOTO ROOTS
Rooted in Kyoto
Based in Kyoto, Japan’s capital for a thousand years, we are building a club that grows together with its community — working with residents, universities and businesses so that volleyball takes root as part of the city’s culture.
- 02
AI NATIVE
AI-native management
AI is built into everything from day one — management, player development and communications. We are designing a club from the ground up where people and AI agents work side by side.
- 03
NEXT GENERATION
Developing the next generation
Starting from ØRIME, our student project, we aim to produce players, next-generation leaders (mentors) and sports-business professionals from across the Kyoto region.
ROADMAP
Launch press conference — Part 1 (28 July 2026) Team name & inaugural squad — Part 2 (16 September 2026) → V.LEAGUE entry (November 2027) → SV.LEAGUE GROWTH (October 2028) → SV.LEAGUE entry (2031).
PHASE 1
Through 2026.09
- Finalise the steering committee
- 28 July — first press conference announcing the club’s founding
- 16 September — second press conference unveiling ØRIME and the organisation
PHASE 2
Through 2026.12
- Confirm the logo mark
- Confirm the mascot character
PHASE 3
Through 2027.05
- Cheerleading team audition (planned)
- Second player tryout (planned in May)
PHASE 4
Through 2027.11
- Enter the V.LEAGUE
- Apply for the SV.LEAGUE GROWTH licence
PHASE 5
Through 2028.05
- Confirm the clubs entering SV.LEAGUE GROWTH
PHASE 6
Through 2028.10
- Enter SV.LEAGUE GROWTH
PHASE 7
Through 2031
- Enter the SV.LEAGUE
SEASON
2026-27 SEASON
From team unveiling to V.LEAGUE kick-off.The competitions the inaugural squad will contest.
Fixtures and venues will be updated in line with the organisers' announcements. Later rounds are contested only after progressing through the qualifier or selection.
- 2026.09.16
TEAM UNVEILING
- 2026.12
FIRST SQUAD IN FULL TRAINING
- 2027.04
KYOTO PREFECTURAL CHAMPIONSHIP
- 2027.05
NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL — KYOTO SELECTION
- 2027.05
2ND TRYOUT
- 2027.10
81ST NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL
- 2027.11
V.LEAGUE 2027-28 KICK-OFF
Squad
ØRIME
ØRIME (Orime) is the student project launched by KIVALLOS Kyoto. It spans five departments — corporate sales, marketing, public relations, academy and team operations — run in partnership with universities, vocational colleges and other schools across the Kyoto region. We are looking for students who want to build the future of a sports club with us.
DEPARTMENTS
5 DEPARTMENTS
SALES / MARKETING / PR / ACADEMY / TEAM
CERTIFICATE
CERTIFIED
An official certificate of completion, usable in job applications
PARTNERS
KYOTO UNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES
Agreements signed at president and chairman level, rolling out progressively
LATEST
Announcements and updates from the club.
Hover over a card to pause / click for detailsSwipe to browse / tap for details
Next: help us create the
mascot.
KIVALLOS Kyoto is now inviting ideas for the club's mascot.
Kyoto's traditions. The energy of volleyball. A face that everyone — from children to adults — can grow to love, drawn by your hand.
Artistic skill is not required. Hand-drawn sketches and written concepts alone are equally welcome.
Help us write the first page of the KIVALLOS Kyoto story.
- Kyoto's tradition, culture and nature
- The energy of volleyball
- Loved across generations
- Children are welcome to enter
Entries close on Monday 26 October / Open to everyone / Multiple entries welcome
COVERAGE
Reports and articles featuring KYOTO VALLEY.
- 2026.08.12SportsBank
Why are university students building a professional club? The challenge of KYOTO VALLEY, a new men’s professional volleyball club from Kyoto
Read article → - 2026.07.29The Kyoto Shimbun
A men’s professional volleyball club is coming to Kyoto City — built around players with local ties, aiming to reach the top division in as little as five years
Read article → - 2026.07.29Sports Hochi
New men’s professional volleyball club founded in Kyoto — an unusual structure with university students running front-office operations, tryouts on 26 August, targeting V.LEAGUE entry in autumn 2027
Read article → - 2026.07.29Volleyball Magazine
A first in Japan: a new men’s professional volleyball club with university students running the front office is born in Kyoto, aiming to join the V.LEAGUE in 2027
Read article → - 2026.07.28Kyoto no Ichibanchi
A men’s professional volleyball club is coming to Kyoto: KYOTO VALLEY launches, student-led, aiming to join the V.LEAGUE in 2027
Read article →
OFFICIAL LINE
Our official LINE account is now open.
LINE is where the club posts first: the latest on the team, players and events. Adding the account is free and takes one tap. LINE is Japan’s most widely used messaging app.
News first
The latest team news and press conference dates.
Events in Kyoto
Unveilings, open sessions and other events held here in Kyoto.
The club, day to day
Building a club from zero, posted as it happens.
Free to add. You can unfollow at any time.
Day-to-day glimpses of the club are posted on our official Instagram.
See our Instagram@kyoto.valleyAdd by QR code
Scan it with your phone’s camera.
LINE ID@381ftuqp
QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions ─ our answers to the questions we are asked most often about the club.
Is there a professional volleyball team in Kyoto, Japan?
What kind of club is KIVALLOS Kyoto?
How is “KIVALLOS Kyoto” pronounced?
When will KIVALLOS Kyoto join the V.LEAGUE?
Is KIVALLOS Kyoto aiming for the V.LEAGUE or the SV.LEAGUE?
FIRST GENERATION
Build the first generation with us.
We welcome enquiries from partner companies, universities, media and students. Precisely because we are only just starting, everyone who gets involved now becomes part of the club’s DNA.