Blue United Corporation

What Blue United Corporation does

Blue United Corporation is a privately held international sports business development firm founded by Takehiko Nakamura in October 2015 and headquartered in New York with a regional office in Tokyo. The company operates as a multi-vertical sports portfolio connecting Japanese sports organizations and athletes with global markets, organized around four core business units: Blue United eFC (a professional esports team competing in FIFA/EA SPORTS FC, with its jersey featured in-game for six consecutive years as one of only 13 teams globally), the Pacific Rim Cup (an international soccer tournament in Hawaii plus its annual Keiki Soccer Clinic for children ages 2-15), Blue United FC Academy NYC (a Japanese-style youth soccer school opened in Manhattan in late 2024), and the Sports Business Laboratory (a B2B sports business knowledge platform relaunched in April 2026 under direct Blue United operation). Additional revenue comes from bespoke international business development consulting for companies, leagues, and athletes, and from sports business education programs operated jointly with PIA Corporation, Pacific League Marketing, and the UMass McCormack Sport Management Program.

The company monetizes through a portfolio of revenue streams with no dominant anchor: esports sponsorship, supplier, and merchandise revenue (MIXI, ATHLETA, BASE FOOD, AuB, JINS), event participation fees and sponsorships for the Keiki Clinic (USD 75-100 per participant across 300+ participants annually), professional services retainers and program fees from enterprise clients, and educational program tuition. The Manchester City FC 'powered by' collaboration that anchored the esports brand from 2020 through January 2026 has concluded, requiring a rebrand of the esports subsidiary. Founder credibility—Nakamura's prior MLS and FC Barcelona international department tenure—underwrites the cross-border deal flow that supports each business unit.

The firm's technology footprint is light and largely third-party: it relies on EA SPORTS FC as a distribution platform for in-game apparel visibility, the Sports Business Laboratory's content/editorial stack, and a small set of named technology partners (Emgrate, SPORTS TECH TOKYO) listed on its website. No proprietary software products, AI systems, patents, or API products are disclosed.

Name

Blue United Corporation

Legal name

Blue United Corporation

Website

https://blueutd.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Blue United Corporation is a privately held New York-headquartered international sports business development firm that connects Japanese sports organizations, leagues, and athletes with global markets through esports (Blue United eFC), the Pacific Rim Cup tournament and youth clinics, a New York soccer academy, and consulting and education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Business Services

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Spectator Sports (7112)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Association Football (Soccer) Leagues (MPAKAAAA), Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE)

Keywords

• Sports business development
• International soccer tournaments
• Professional esports team
• Youth soccer academy
• Sports business education

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. International Business Development Services: Customized international business development services for companies, leagues, clubs, and athletes seeking global expansion and broader international perspectives.
2. Event Management and Sponsorship: Revenue from organizing Pacific Rim Cup tournaments and soccer clinics, including ticket sales, participation fees, and sponsor activations. Event generates economic impact of approximately USD 2.1 million for local Hawaii economy.
3. eSports Team Operations: Revenue from professional eSports team operations including sponsorship deals, merchandise, and prize winnings from international competitions like FIFAe Club World Cup.
4. Sports Business Education Programs: Revenue from educational programs like the PIA Sports Business Program and UMass partnership, including participant fees and partner contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Blue United Corporation is an international sports business development company that connects Japan and the world through sports. The company operates four core business units: the Pacific Rim Cup international soccer tournament in Hawaii, the Blue United eFC professional esports team, the Blue United FC Academy NYC youth soccer school, and customized international business development services for sports organizations, leagues, clubs, and athletes. It also runs the Sports Business Laboratory knowledge platform and the PIA Sports Business Program education initiative.

Product overview

Blue United Corporation operates a diversified sports business portfolio centered around four main pillars: professional esports team Blue United eFC (formerly powered by Manchester City), international soccer tournament Pacific Rim Cup, New York-based soccer academy Blue United FC Academy NYC, and the Sports Business Laboratory knowledge platform. The company also provides international business development services and sports business education programs. The portfolio is unified by its focus on bridging Japan and global sports markets through both digital (esports) and physical (soccer) platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pacific Rim Cup: International professional soccer tournament held in Hawaii
• BLU eFC

Products and services

• Blue United eFC Professional esports team specializing in FIFA/EA SPORTS FC competitive gaming, founded in 2018. The team is the only Asian team with official jersey featured in EA SPORTS FC games for 6 consecutive years, was formerly powered by Manchester City FC, and competes in international eSports tournaments including FIFAe Club World Cup. Revenue from sponsorship deals, merchandise, and prize winnings.
• Sports Business Laboratory (SBL) Cross-industry sports business knowledge platform featuring interviews with industry leaders, curated global sports business news, and specialized case studies for the Japanese sports market. Operated in strategic alliance with Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting and provides educational content including PIA Sports Business Program collaboration with Barça Innovation Hub.
• Pacific Rim Cup International professional soccer tournament and youth Keiki Soccer Clinic property held in Hawaii, originally launched in 2018. Currently focused on annual Keiki Soccer Clinics for children ages 2-15 featuring 90-minute training sessions and autograph sessions with professional players, with the full professional tournament slated to resume after Aloha Stadium reconstruction. Includes title sponsorship deals (MIXI, Inc. for 2025 and 2026) and partnership with Outrigger Resorts & Hotels.
• Blue United FC Academy NYC New York-based soccer school and the first Japanese-owned soccer academy in NYC. Provides high-quality Japanese-style coaching for children of all ages and backgrounds, combining soccer skills with Japanese cultural values. Operates at Socceroof Long Island City with active partnerships including Weee!, the largest Asian online grocer in North America.
• International Business Development Services Customized international business development services for companies, leagues, clubs, and athletes seeking to expand globally and broaden their international perspective. Provides cross-border market entry strategy, partnership facilitation, and international network access leveraging the founder's MLS and FC Barcelona experience.
• PIA Sports Business Program Educational program jointly operated with PIA Corporation to cultivate ready-to-work professionals in the sports industry. Blue United serves as Strategic Academy Partner with President Takehiko Nakamura as Lead Instructor. Includes North America study tours and collaboration with Barça Innovation Hub, delivered through a three-phase curriculum: foundations, case studies, and practical application.

Quantifiable outcome

• FIFAe Club World Cup 2021 Zone 2 (East Asia) Champion
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BASE FOOD, Inc.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 January 2026Official supplier partnership providing complete nutritious meals to BLU eFC athletes. Partnership includes nutrition and sports performance education initiatives. BASE FOOD supports players' physical and mental health with their complete nutrition products.
• ATHLETA Co., Ltd.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 October 2025Uniform supplier for Blue United eFC since 2023-24 season. ATHLETA provides jerseys and athletic wear for professional esports team, continuing partnership through 2025-26 season. Supports team unity and brand visibility among fans and partners.
• MIXI, Inc.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 May 2025Title sponsor of Pacific Rim Cup Keiki Soccer Clinic 2025 and 2026. MIXI, a major Japanese entertainment and internet company, supports the event's mission of creating meaningful connections through sports. The partnership aligns with MIXI's purpose of enriching communication and inspiring moments of joy.
• Deloitte Tohmatsu ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Strategic alliance to expand sports business in Japan and co-create value. Deloitte serves as operating partner for Sports Business Laboratory platform and conducts SROI analysis for Pacific Rim Cup events. Joint efforts include sports business community initiatives and industry research.
• PIA CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operation of PIA Sports Business Program, a talent development initiative for sports industry professionals. Blue United serves as Strategic Academy Partner, with President Nakamura as Lead Instructor. Programs include North America study tours and collaboration with Barça Innovation Hub.
• Pacific League MarketingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperational support for Pacific League Marketing's professional development partnership with UMass McCormack Sport Management Program. Blue United assists with program design, operations, and faculty coordination. Program has trained over 300 Pacific League staff members.
• Manchester City FCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration from 2020-2026 as official esports partner. Blue United eFC operated as 'powered by Manchester City' esports team, gaining access to elite sporting culture and winning mentality. Collaboration ended January 2026 after approximately 5 years.
• Outrigger Resorts & HotelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Hotel Partner for Pacific Rim Cup events, providing accommodation for participants and staff during Hawaii tournaments.
• JINS Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEyewear partnership with Blue United eFC, providing products for professional esports team.
• Weee!minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with largest Asian online grocer in North America for Blue United FC soccer academy in New York.
• HartzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with leading North American pet care brand for Blue United FC operations.
• Red Bull BragantinominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership including Yanmar Day event activations and collaborative marketing initiatives.
• Sevilla FCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenewed partnership for international collaboration and sports business exchange.
• FC BarcelonaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial agency agreement for Barça Legends brand, facilitating legacy and exhibition events.
• AuB Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerConditioning support partnership providing aub BASE products for Blue United eFC players' daily health management.
• WE LEAGUEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenewed partnership supporting women's football in Japan through collaborative initiatives.
• Azusa Sekkei Co., Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for stadium and arena business development initiatives and industry conferences.
• Barça Innovation HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership providing PIA Sports Business Program participants access to world-class sports business insights and methodologies.
• SPORTS TECH TOKYOminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for sports technology innovation and market expansion in Tokyo.
• ぴあ (PIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partner for sports business programs and North America study tours; one of Japan's largest ticketing platforms.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Excel Sports Management: Sports talent representation and marketing agency with soccer practice among others, comparable in business model to Blue United's athlete and league advisory work.
• CAA Sports: Sports division of Creative Artists Agency that handles athlete representation, media rights, and team consulting; competes with Blue United in the high-end cross-border sports advisory space.
• Lagardère Sports: International sports marketing agency operating across consulting, athlete representation, event management, and content — a comparable global sports intermediary model to Blue United's multi-pillar approach.
• Wasserman: Global sports marketing, consulting, and talent management firm serving leagues, brands, and athletes — closely comparable consulting and representation offering, though much broader scale.
• Octagon: Global sports marketing and events agency offering services, content, and consulting across leagues, brands, and athletes — closely comparable to Blue United's international business development and event management business, but at much larger scale.

Emerging players

• Fnatic: Global professional esports organization with sponsorship, merchandise, and competitive teams — directly comparable to Blue United eFC as an esports team operator relying on sponsorship and brand IP.
• Team Heretics: European/Iberian esports organization with multi-title competitive teams and brand partnerships — relevant peer to Blue United eFC's esports team model and partnership approach.
• Socios.com: Sports fan engagement and digital platform with tokenized fan communities across multiple clubs — thematically adjacent to Blue United's combination of esports, content, and sponsorship/IP-driven audience monetization.

Regional players

• Sevilla FC: Spanish football club with renewed partnership with Blue United; comparable as a regional soccer incumbent that engages Blue United for international business development support.

Broad incumbents

• FC Barcelona: Global football club and a Barça Innovation Hub partner of Blue United; comparable as a soccer ecosystem incumbent whose international and commercial operations Blue United partially serves and aspires to bridge.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BlueUnitedeFC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@blueunited5675
• Facebookfacebook.com/blueutd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blue-united-corporation
• Instagraminstagram.com/blueutd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Blue United Corporation