Machida Zelvia

Machida Zelvia is a professional football club based in Machida, Japan. Machida Zelvia was founded in 1989 as the club named Machida Club. Initially, it operated as a university-affiliated team, and its primary focus was on amateur and university-level football. In 2006, Machida Club earned promotion to the Japan Football League (JFL), which is the fourth tier of the Japanese football league system. This marked a significant step for the club, transitioning from the amateur ranks to a semi-professional level. In 2012, the club underwent a significant change, including a name change to FC Machida Zelvia and a shift towards professionalization. The name "Zelvia" is derived from the words "Zel" and "Via," representing the zeal and vision of the club. FC Machida Zelvia aimed to further elevate its status, and in 2014, the club gained entry into the professional ranks by joining the J. League. It started competing in J3 League, which is the third tier of Japanese professional football. The club continued its progress, and in 2016, FC Machida Zelvia achieved promotion to J2 League, the second tier of Japanese professional football. This was a significant milestone for the club, reaching a higher level within the Japanese football hierarchy. FC Machida Zelvia plays its home matches at the Nozuta Stadium in Machida, Tokyo.