Supporting Soccer Talent for Global Success with English: Native Camp Becomes Yokohama FC's Official Partner for 2026–2027 Season

Native Camp Co., Ltd. (Shibuya, Tokyo; CEO: Kunihiro Tanikawa), operator of the unlimited-lesson online English conversation service 'Native Camp English Conversation,' announces its appointment as the official partner of Yokohama FC, the professional soccer team operated by Yokohama Frie Sports Club Co., Ltd., for the 2026–2027 season. The company will begin providing English learning support to players and staff associated with Yokohama FC.

Under this initiative, online English conversation lessons will be offered to the following groups: Yokohama FC first-team players and staff, Yokohama FC Youth (U-18), Yokohama FC Junior Youth (U-15), academy staff, Yokohama FC Seagulls players and staff, business department staff, and participants in the Japan-Europe Sports Business Program.

Native Camp will support the development of English communication skills essential for international challenges, internal and external team communication, and the sports business environment.

Background of the Official Partnership: 'The Power of Connection Through English' to Expand Soccer's Potential

Soccer is a sport that connects people across countries and regions, with frequent needs for English communication during overseas play, international tours, and team collaboration.

English proficiency is a crucial skill not only for first-team players but also for youth players, women's teams, academy staff, and business personnel, as it opens doors to future opportunities.

However, soccer players and team staff often face challenges in maintaining consistent study schedules due to daily training, matches, travel, conditioning management, and work responsibilities.

Native Camp enables immediate, reservation-free lessons, allowing busy athletes and staff to utilize spare moments for English learning.

As Yokohama FC’s official partner for the 2026–2027 season, Native Camp will provide broad support ranging from first-team players and staff to youth and junior youth teams, academy staff, Yokohama FC Seagulls, business department staff, and the Japan-Europe Sports Business Program.

Native Camp will support English learning for all individuals involved with Yokohama FC, promoting enhanced communication skills across competition, youth development, operations, and sports business, ensuring English is no longer a barrier to success at home or abroad.

Target Recipients of Support

- Yokohama FC First-Team Players and Staff

- Yokohama FC Youth (U-18)

- Yokohama FC Junior Youth (U-15)

- Academy Staff

- Yokohama FC Seagulls Players and Staff

- Business Department Staff

- Japan-Europe Sports Business Program

Comment from Mr. Kazuhiro Ue, President & CEO, Yokohama Frie Sports Club Co., Ltd.

'We are delighted to establish a new partnership with Native Camp Co., Ltd., the provider of the online English conversation service 'Native Camp.'

Since late 2022, Yokohama FC has implemented a Multi-Club Ownership (MCO) model with Portugal’s UD Oliveirense, creating pathways for players and staff to challenge themselves in Europe. During this process, we have keenly felt that language is one of the first major hurdles when competing on the global stage.

Receiving strong support from Native Camp is extremely reassuring for our club, and we sincerely express our gratitude.

In the rapidly globalizing world of soccer, mastering world-class language skills is an essential requirement—not only for young talents in the Yokohama FC Academy but also for the business professionals supporting the club. Through this partnership, we are confident that everyone associated with our club will overcome language barriers and significantly expand their future possibilities on the global stage.'

Comment from Mr. Kunihiro Tanikawa, CEO, Native Camp Co., Ltd.

'We are deeply honored to become the official partner of Yokohama FC, operated by Yokohama Frie Sports Club Co., Ltd., for the 2026–2027 season.

Soccer is a sport that transcends borders and connects people. We believe English is a vital force that expands possibilities—not only for players’ personal challenges but also for the activities of those supporting teams and clubs.

However, it is not easy for athletes and staff to consistently allocate time for English learning amid their demanding competition and work schedules. Native Camp leverages its unique features—no reservation required and unlimited lessons—to provide an accessible learning environment even for the busiest individuals.

Through this partnership, we will support the aspirations of players and a wide range of individuals associated with Yokohama FC through English language education.'

About Yokohama Frie Sports Club Co., Ltd.

Yokohama FC is a professional soccer club in the J.League, based in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Founded by supporters as a citizen-led club to inherit the spirit of Yokohama Flügels, which dissolved in 1998, the club operates across multiple levels—from the first team to youth development and women’s teams—focusing on community contribution and talent development through sports. In 2022, its parent company ONODERA GROUP acquired Portuguese professional soccer club UD Oliveirense SAD, launching a Multi-Club Ownership (MCO) initiative to support young players and staff in challenging Europe.

Features of Native Camp https://nativecamp.net/

1. Unlimited lessons with native speakers

2. 24/7 immediate lessons

3. Accessible anytime, anywhere via PC, smartphone, or tablet

4. Instructors from over 140 countries worldwide

5. Rich curriculum including the Callan Method

6. NC×AI All-in-One English Learning App

7. Family plan available for 1,980 yen (tax included)

With these seven key features, Native Camp offers conversation lessons with over 15,000 diverse instructors and more than 32,000 teaching materials, surpassing 80 million cumulative lessons and serving a wide user base.

・Native Camp Kids https://nativecamp.net/kids

A dedicated online English service for children, featuring original materials such as picture books and songs. Kids can take unlimited, reservation-free lessons with virtual instructors and teachers from over 140 countries.

・Native Camp Business https://nativecamp.net/business

An online English service chosen by business professionals. With unlimited lessons and no reservation required, even busy professionals can consistently improve their English.

・Native Camp Japanese https://ja.nativecamp.net/?cc=prtimes

A Japanese language learning platform where users can take unlimited online conversation lessons with native Japanese-speaking instructors. Lessons are available anytime without reservation.

・Native Camp Study Abroad http