Tokyo Yakult Swallows cancel sponsored event amid fan backlash

The Tokyo Yakult Swallows announced the sudden cancellation of the ‘Champagne Le Reve Brillant Day’ event scheduled for September 14, 2026, at Meiji Jingu Stadium during their game against Hiroshima. While the baseball game proceeded as planned, the sponsored festivities—including a special booth, giveaway of 20,000 original fans, and a ceremonial first pitch—were scrapped.

The cancellation followed significant backlash from fans regarding the selection of participants. The event featured the group ‘CHANCE GALS,’ a collective originating from an ABEMA variety program consisting of former idols and individuals from the nightlife industry. Specifically, influencer KIHO was slated to perform the ceremonial first pitch.

Critics expressed concerns regarding the appropriateness of featuring nightlife-related personalities in a venue frequented by families and children. Additional friction arose from social media promotional content where group members appeared in team uniforms in a manner that some fans deemed disrespectful to the club’s brand and mascot, Tsubakuro. The club cited ‘various circumstances’ for the decision without providing further specific details.