Criacao

What Criacao does

Criacao (株式会社Criacao) is a private, founder-led Japanese sports organization incorporated in 2012 that operates the Criacao Shinjuku professional football club competing in the Japan Football League (JFL), the top tier below the J-League. The team was originally founded in 2005 and progressed from the Tokyo Metropolitan Social League to the Kanto Soccer League before reaching JFL, with the stated vision of becoming "the world's number one football club while enriching society through sports."

The company's primary product is professional football match operations (JFL league and cup matches, including fixtures at AGF Field and National Stadium/MUFG Stadium), but the business model is materially differentiated from a conventional football club. Criacao positions itself as a community hub for Shinjuku Ward — the first sports organization to sign a comprehensive partnership agreement with the municipal government (November 2020) — operating approximately 305 community activities per year across 7 social value themes. Revenue is generated across five streams: ticket sales (advance ¥1,600/day-of ¥2,200 for adults), three-tier membership subscriptions (Gold ¥35,000, Standard ¥5,000, Light ¥3,000), official merchandise (online store and match venues), corporate partnerships (40+ partners including uniform sponsors Nichizei Group, SOMPO Group, PMG, and consulting partner KPMG), and education/youth services including a Criacao Shinjuku Academy and the atama plus tutoring franchise. The company has formal strategic cooperation agreements with Tokyo Fuji University and Nihon Ishitsu for industry-academia collaboration.

Go-to-market is community-led and direct-to-consumer: players operate in dual athlete/business roles (選手兼営業部, 選手兼地域共創部), enabling authentic relationship-building with corporate partners and residents. Distribution runs through owned channels (official app, online store, CRIACAO FLAT community space in Yotsuya, match venue box offices) and licensed ticket platforms (PIA, MORETIGET). The company is headquartered in Yotsuya, Shinjuku, Tokyo, with no external institutional investors disclosed.

Name

Criacao

Legal name

株式会社Criacao

Website

https://criacao.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Criacao operates the Criacao Shinjuku JFL football club in Tokyo, integrating professional sports with a community hub model serving Shinjuku Ward residents, 40+ corporate partners, and youth through academy and tutoring programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Football Club Operations

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Fan Club, Community & CRM Management (MPAIAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Data, Analytics & CRM Services (Fan Data, Insights, Audience Development) (MPAKAKAO), Player Support & Community Operations (Customer Support, Moderation, CRM) (MPAFAKAD)

Keywords

• Professional football club
• Youth football academy
• Sports community programs
• Corporate sports partnerships
• Football merchandise sales

Headquarters

HQ city

Shinjuku

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 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. Ticket Sales: Revenue from matchday tickets (advance and day-of sales), season tickets, and cup tournament tickets. Ticket channels include PIA, MORETIGET, and match venue box offices. Junior high school students and above require tickets; elementary school students use free Dream Pass; preschool children free with guardian.
2. Official Goods and Merchandise: Sale of official merchandise including uniforms, goods, and mascot (くりあにゃん) products via the online store (store.criacao.co.jp) and match-day venues. Delivery within 1 week of order.
3. Membership Programs: Three-tiered membership programs (Gold Plan 35,000 yen, Standard Plan 5,000 yen, Light Plan 3,000 yen) providing season tickets, uniforms, and game ticket bundles depending on tier.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Revenue or in-kind support from corporate partners who gain logo placement on uniforms, match sponsorship, blind football training, community co-creation projects, and employee engagement programs. 40+ corporate partners as of 2025.
5. Academy and Education Programs: Revenue from academy operations and tutoring school (運営 / 進学個別 atama＋塾 中井校) providing football training and academic support for children.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Criacao operates the professional football club Criacao Shinjuku, which competes in the Japan Football League (JFL). The company sells match tickets, runs a tiered fan membership program, operates an official merchandise store, runs a youth football academy, hosts community events in partnership with Shinjuku Ward, and provides corporate partnership programs including uniform sponsorships and employee engagement.

Product overview

Criacao (株式会社Criacao) operates as a comprehensive sports organization centered around its professional football club Criacao Shinjuku competing in the Japan Football League. The product portfolio includes: the core football team and match events; the Academy (アカデミー) for youth player development; CRIACAO FLAT as a community/business networking space; an official merchandise store; membership programs with tiered benefits; and the mascot brand Kurianyan. The club's mobile app enables fan engagement. This is a sports-focused organization, not a technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CRIACAO FLAT: A community space opened in Yotsuya for business exchange events and networking.
• くりあにゃん (Kuri任何n)
• クリアソン新宿アカデミー (Criacao Shinjuku Academy)
• プロクリアル (Procriar)

Products and services

• Criacao Shinjuku Professional Football Club (クリアソン新宿) Professional football club competing in the Japan Football League (JFL), the top tier below the J-League professional system. Features professional players, JFL and cup match events, and serves as the flagship brand. Players serve dual roles as athletes and business/community staff.
• Criacao Shinjuku Academy (クリアソン新宿アカデミー) Youth football academy providing training programs for young players, operating in partnership with educational institutions including atama plus tutoring school and collaborative programs with Japan Medical College.
• CRIACAO FLAT (クリアソン・フラット) Community and business networking space in Yotsuya used for executive community sessions (Clearson New壇), business networking events (経営者交流会), and community co-creation activities.
• Official Merchandise Store (公式グッズ) Online store at store.criacao.co.jp selling official club merchandise including uniforms, goods, mascot items, and limited edition items with delivery within one week of order.
• Membership Program (メンバーシップ) Three-tier official fan club membership: Gold Plan (35,000 yen with season ticket, official uniform, and 4 game tickets), Standard Plan (5,000 yen with 4 home game tickets), and Light Plan (3,000 yen with 2 home game tickets), billed annually.
• Criacao Shinjuku Official App Official smartphone application for iOS and Android built on the Yappli platform, providing ticketing, merchandise access, membership management, news, and partner services including NTT Docomo d Point integration.
• Kurianyan Mascot Brand (くりあにゃん) Official club mascot brand of Criacao Shinjuku, featured across merchandise, match-day experiences, and community events.
• Procriar Professional Player Development (プロクリアル) Professional player development initiative supporting players' dual careers as both athletes and business/community staff at corporate partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 305 community activities conducted across 7 social value themes in 2024, with ~13,500 total participants across all programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 株式会社TEMPERminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 July 2026Partnership contract announced July 2026. Details of the partnership scope were not specified in the available source material.
• 株式会社ルネサンスminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 July 2026Partnership contract announced July 2026.
• ピーエムジー株式会社 (PMGホールディングス)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 July 2026Partnership arrangement with PMG Holdings subsidiary ピーエムジー株式会社. Logo newly displayed on the right hem of the official uniform as of the 2026/27 season.
• 株式会社ユニフィットminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 June 2026Partnership contract announced June 2026.
• 株式会社アプリックスminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 June 2026Partnership contract announced June 2026.
• Rplus株式会社minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Partnership contract announced June 2026.
• 株式会社NEOminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 May 2026Partnership contract announced May 2026.
• 小島屋乳業製菓株式会社minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 May 2026Partnership contract announced May 2026.
• 株式会社セキュアminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 May 2026Partnership contract announced May 2026.
• 株式会社ワークアズライフminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 May 2026Partnership contract announced May 2026.
• 株式会社ポートminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 April 2026Partnership contract announced April 2026.
• TR＆Associates律师事务所 (TR&Associates)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 April 2026Partnership contract announced April 2026.
• 株式会社NTT DocomominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 April 2026App customization partnership: d Points earned from shopping can be donated as 5% support to Criacao Shinjuku through the official app customization feature.
• 学校法人敬心学園 日本医専minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2026Industry-academia co-creation educational program partnership. Collaborative program between Criacao Shinjuku Academy and Japan Medical College for occupational therapy students.
• 株式会社イーストクルーminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 April 2026Partnership contract announced April 2026.
• インタセクト・コミュニケーションズ株式会社minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 April 2026Partnership contract announced April 2026.
• 株式会社丸一minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 March 2026Partnership contract announced March 2026.
• 松本商事有限会社minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 March 2026Partnership contract announced March 2026.
• 株式会社PeopleX JapanminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 March 2026Partnership contract announced March 2026.
• 株式会社BEYOND AGEminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 March 2026Partnership contract announced March 2026.
• 東急歌舞伎町タワー / 一般社団法人は歌舞伎町アクションcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2026Long-standing partner for 'Kabukicho Football LIVE powered by CRIACAO SHINJUKU' events. 2026 edition held March 8 at Tokyu Kabukicho Tower. Joint events create unique community experiences linking football and entertainment.
• 株式会社mayclassminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 February 2026Partnership contract announced February 2026.
• 株式会社アトminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 February 2026Partnership contract announced February 2026. Players experienced posting work firsthand at partner's Shinjuku office on January 21, 2025.
• 株式会社リアクションminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 February 2026Partnership contract announced February 2026.
• The Signage株式会社minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 February 2026Partnership contract announced February 2026.
• 株式会社カントリーオフィスminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 February 2026Partnership contract announced February 2026.
• 学校法人東京富士大学coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2025Comprehensive cooperation agreement signed June 16, 2025 for regional problem-solving and human resource development. Industry-academia collaboration.
• atama plus株式会社coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2025Tutoring school franchise partnership: 進学個別atama＋塾 中井校 operated by Criacao (opened 2025). First sports club franchisee for atama plus. AI-powered personalized learning for children. Partnership aims to support children in balancing football and academics.
• KPMGコンサルティング株式会社coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2025Social impact measurement project partner. Developed the 'clear business model' and 'value creation story' framework for the Impact Report. Joint sustainability co-creation project. DE&I ACTION DAY match sponsorship. First joint volunteer activity January 24, 2026.
• 日税グループcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 January 2025Uniform partner (背中にロゴ) since 2025. 6-year partnership history. Employee engagement through 'それぞれのエンゲージメント' interview program. Athlete employee 小屋原尚希 works at the company. Hosted asset-building seminar for players. Joint events including running教室 at National Stadium.
• 株式会社あいらいふ (and related: 株式会社クラーチ)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 October 2024First co-creation program held April 24, 2025 at クラーチ・ファミリア西新宿 (senior housing). Football bowling health program for elderly residents. Partnership signed 2024.
• 株式会社スープストックトーキョーcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2023Partnership since 2023. Shared mission of 'raising the temperature of society' (世の中の体温を上げる). Collaboration on community events. Company philosophy of 'Soup for all!' aligns with Criacao's values of diversity and inclusion.
• SOMPOグループcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 March 2023Logo on back of uniform. Multiple employees participated in blind football training. HR, PR, and sustainability departments interviewed about partnership value. Joint volunteer activities.
• 新宿区 (Shinjuku Ward Government)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2020Comprehensive partnership agreement signed November 24, 2020 — first sports organization to sign such agreement with Shinjuku Ward. Six collaboration areas: sports promotion, school-community ties, multicultural coexistence, health promotion, local commerce revitalization, and other mutually agreed matters. Based on shared goal of using sports to solve Shinjuku's social challenges.
• 大日本印刷株式会社 / 株式会社DNPコミュニケーションデザインcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 November 2020Corporate partner (法人パートナー). Joint initiatives include 'YORIP Walking Rally 2026' book donation to Shinjuku children, environmental education card game 'MyEarth Shinjuku/Kanda River Package', and food drive donations.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vanraure Hachinohe: JFL club with comparable community and corporate-partnership structure in a regional Japanese market — peer for sponsorship mix and operational scale.
• Iwate Grulla Morioka: JFL competitor that Criacao faced in the record-attendance Shinjuku Day match; a direct on-field peer at the same competitive tier.
• Reinmeer Aomori: JFL club that played against Criacao at the March 2026 National Stadium match; represents a directly comparable JFL-tier competitor.
• Y.S.C.C. Yokohama: Yokohama-based JFL club also competing in JFL CUP East Group; direct on-pitch peer to Criacao and benchmark for promotion economics.
• Tochigi SC: Kanto-based professional football club operating between J2 and JFL, giving Criacao the most direct sports-performance and corporate-sponsorship benchmark at the second tier.
• FC Osaka: Japan Football League / J-League aspiring club with strong community identity and corporate partner ecosystem — comparable to Criacao as a second-tier community-led pro club.
• Yokohama FC: Tokyo/Kanto-area professional football club promoted from JFL/J2 to J1; provides the template for Criacao's promotion path and a comparable market of corporate Tokyo sponsors.
• SC Sagamihara: JFL/Kanto-area professional football club pursuing promotion, with similar corporate-sponsorship and community-engagement profile to Criacao.

Emerging players

• Forest Green Rovers: UK football club widely recognized for community-and-sustainability-led value proposition with quantified impact reporting — international reference point for Criacao's Impact Report and ESG-narrative playbook.

Broad incumbents

• Tokyo Verdy: Long-established Tokyo/Kanto professional football club (J2/J1 history); comparable as a Tokyo-anchored football brand even though its scale exceeds Criacao.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CriacaoShinjuku
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/CriacaoShinjuku
• Facebookfacebook.com/criacao.soccer
• Instagraminstagram.com/criacao_shinjuku

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Criacao