Kobelco Kobe Steelers Win First Ever Rugby League One Championship! Kobe Shimbun NEXT Posts 'Championship Celebration & Thank You' Banner Ads

Kobe Shimbunsha (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Kobe) announced that its media partner rugby team, the Kobelco Kobe Steelers, won the final of the NTT Japan Rugby League One 2025-26 playoff tournament held on Sunday, June 7, at MUFG Stadium (National Stadium), achieving their first-ever League One championship. In celebration of this achievement, Kobe Shimbun's digital edition 'Kobe Shimbun NEXT' ran special banner ads commemorating the victory and expressing gratitude to fans.

PC version: Gate ad Smartphone version: Billboard ad (tracking type) that remains displayed at the top of the page even after scrolling.

Media: Kobe Shimbun NEXT https://www.kobe-np.co.jp/ PC gate ad: A gate-like creative that surrounds the article.

* Depending on screen size and resolution settings, the left and right ads may not be displayed, and the lower part may be cut off.

Smartphone billboard ad: Not a fixed frame; remains displayed as you scroll. ■ Link destination: Kobelco Kobe Steelers official site https://www.kobesteelers.com/ ■ Display period: June 7 (Sun) 18:00 – June 8 (Mon) 23:59

* Ads are displayed only when not logged in.

Fourth year of media partnership contract

As a media partner, with a sense of 'gratitude' to fans and citizens

Kobe Shimbunsha, as a regional media rooted in Kobe and Hyogo, considers the development of sports culture, including rugby, and regional revitalization as one of its missions. It has covered events such as the 'Kobelco Cup' aimed at fostering and popularizing high school rugby. After the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake 31 years ago, the Kobe Steel rugby club (as it was then known), rising with an indomitable spirit, gave courage to the citizens of Kobe who were hurt by the disaster. Since the 2022-23 season, the company has had a media partnership contract with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers. Through print, digital, and events, it has delivered the team's appeal and the excitement of rugby to the people of Hyogo and Kobe. In response to this historic first League One championship, the company expresses its warmest congratulations as a regional media and runs this ad with a sense of 'gratitude' to the fans and citizens who have continued to support the team.

Along with the jubilant city of Kobe, Kobe Shimbunsha will continue to support the challenges of the Kobelco Kobe Steelers and contribute to the promotion of regional sports culture.

<Reference> ■ Kobe Shimbunsha signs media partnership contract with rugby team 'Kobelco Kobe Steelers' https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000048.000006053.html (December 8, 2022)