International Touch returns to Japan in October 2026

Utsunomiya is famous for its gyoza (or dumplings) and is the largest city in the Tochigi Prefecture. It is located approximately one hour north of Tokyo and is easily accessible from Tokyo's two airports. Utsunomiya has a range of accommodation options and is approximately 15 minutes from the grounds at Tochigi Sports Park.

Speaking on behalf of the hosts JTA, Board Director, Shigeru Mizukami said:

“JTA is delighted to be able to work with the Federation of International Touch to bring an international touch event back to Japan. We have waited a long time for this opportunity and are excited to be able to welcome international teams from across the Asia-Pacific region to our country

“Being only an hour away from Tokyo, the host city of Utsunomiya provides an easily accessible destination for overseas visitors, and the Utsunomiya government office has been very supportive in helping to bring the event to Japan. JTA would like to thank them and FIT for entrusting us to organise the first Asia Pacific Seniors Touch Cup. Our aspiration is to make this the best touch event in Asia, but we know we have a lot of work to do to make this possible.”

It’s been over 20 years since FIT last hosted an event in Japan and that was the World Cup back in 2003 when 27 teams from nine nations competed across five categories of competition. FIT expects this event to be somewhat bigger, featuring more divisions and more nations:

“The game of Touch has changed a fair bit since 2003, hasn’t it? Last year’s World Cup had 187 teams from 39 nations in it and our most recent youth event in Ireland had 45 teams from 12 nations. We think there’s demand for more regular international competition, something we have seen develop in Europe in particular. We’re hopeful to have most categories from the last World Cup represented and could get as many as 40 to 50 teams participating”, said FIT Chief Operations Officer, Chris Simon.

Chris, who visited the venue in May this year, is excited about heading back to Japan to take the inaugural event to Utsunomiya:

“I was lucky enough to meet members of the JTA in May following the Asia Pacific Youth event and had a thorough look around the venue. It’s impressive, with multiple stadia, large grass spaces for the outer fields and all the ancillary facilities and services needed. The transfer from Tokyo was quick and easy and Utsunomiya has a range of accommodation options to host teams.

“Following the success of the Asia Pacific youth event this year, we wanted to develop an open and seniors equivalent. We announced last month that the first Open’s event will be hosted by Touch Football Australia in Moreton Bay in April next year, and we are delighted that we will be able to take the seniors to Japan in October. I’d like to thank Shigeru Mizukami and the rest of the team at the JTA for agreeing to host and identifying such a great location. We are really looking forward to working with them over the next 12 months or so.”

The first Asia Pacific Seniors Touch Cup will be a Tier 2A event and is open to all FIT Member Nations, although priority will be given to those based in the Asia Pacific region.  FIT and the JTA are offering competition in all categories that we think will be viable but will consider removing or adding categories if we feel this will add value to the tournament and/or enhance the experience for those attending.

To better understand the scale of the event, it would help FIT and the JTA if NTOs could give an indication of the likely teams they expect to enter. Please note this will NOT commit you to anything or guarantee your inclusion. The Expression of Interest form can be found here.

It is expected that entry for this event will open later in 2025.

For further information please contact FIT Chief Operations Officer, Chris Simon by emailing [email protected].