is a Japanese football club based in Okayama, the capital of Okayama Prefecture. The club currently plays in the J1 League, which is the top tier of football in the country.
The origins of the club trace back to 1975 with the establishment of the old Kawasaki Steel Football Club who then moved to Kobe starting a new identity now known as Vissel Kobe. With the club now gaining a new identity, they are formed as a new club known as the "River Free Kickers" (RFK)
Following structural changes within the club and the broader development of professional football in Japan, the team was reorganised in the early 2000s as part of efforts to establish a professional club representing Okayama Prefecture. In 2004, the club adopted the name Fagiano Okayama. The name âÂÂFagianoâ comes from the Italian word for âÂÂpheasant,â a bird associated with the folklore and symbolism of the Okayama region. The club continued its development through the regional league system and gained promotion to the Japan Football League, the highest amateur tier at the time. After strong performances and meeting the licensing requirements for professional football, Fagiano Okayama secured entry into the professional league structure.
In 2005, Fagiano Okayama were promoted into the Chugoku Regional League. In July 2007, Fagiano became the first club ever to attain the J.League Associate Membership while still playing in a division below the JFL. On 2 December 2007, Fagiano gained promotion to the JFL courtesy of winning the first place in the regional playoff games.
In 2008, they secured 4th place in the last JFL match week, thereby qualifying for J.League Division 2 promotion below Tochigi SC and Kataller Toyama. On 1 December 2008, promotion was made official by J.League and Okayama competed in J.League Division 2 for the first time in their history from 2009 season.
In 2009, Fagiano Okayama joined the J2 League for the first time, marking the clubâÂÂs debut in the professional divisions of the J.League. The step up to the national professional level proved challenging, and the club finished near the bottom of the table in its inaugural season.
Despite the early struggles, participation in the J2 League represented a significant milestone for football in Okayama Prefecture, establishing the club as the regionâÂÂs representative in the national professional league system.
During the 2010s era, Fagiano Okayama gradually established themselves as a competitive club in the J2 League. The team improved its performances season by season and began to challenge for promotion places.
One of the clubâÂÂs most notable seasons came in 2016 when Fagiano finished in the top six of the J2 standings and qualified for the promotion play-offs for the first time in their history. Although they were unable to secure promotion to the J1 League, the season marked a major step forward for the club.
Throughout the decade, Fagiano built a reputation for developing domestic players and maintaining strong support within Okayama Prefecture.
In the early 2020s, Fagiano Okayama continued to compete in the J2 League while pursuing their ambition of reaching the top division. The club remained competitive in the league and continued to strengthen its organisational structure and youth development programmes.
On 7 December 2024, Fagiano Okayama secured promotion to the J1 League for the first time in their history after defeating Vegalta Sendai 2âÂÂ0 in the promotion play-off final, ending their 16-years stay in the J2 League.
Fagiano () is a reference to the pheasant that was a companion of local legend character Momotarà Â.
Their mascot Fagimaru is based on the specific species native to Japan, the green pheasant.
Fagiano Okayama also shares a local rivalry with Kamatamare Sanuki. The clubs are located on opposite sides of the Seto Inland Sea and have faced each other frequently in the J2 League and lower divisions.
The rivalry is driven largely by geographic proximity and regional pride, with supporters from both sides traveling across the Seto Inland Sea region to attend matches. Encounters between the clubs are often seen as important fixtures for fans in the surrounding areas.
The main regional rivalry of Fagiano Okayama is with neighbouring club Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Matches between the two sides are often referred to as the Chà «goku Derby, reflecting the geographic rivalry within the Chà «goku region.
Although both clubs have spent much of their history in the different divisions of the J.League, encounters between them are particularly in cup competitions such as the Emperor's Cup which have attracted strong regional interest. The rivalry represents competition between the prefectures of Okayama Prefecture and Hiroshima Prefecture.
JFE Harenokuni Stadium is the home ground of Fagiano Okayama. The stadium is located in Okayama City and has a seating capacity of approximately 15,479 spectators. Opened in 2003, the venue is a multi-purpose stadium primarily used for football and athletics. It serves as the main home venue for Fagiano OkayamaâÂÂs matches in the J.League competitions, including the J2 League, as well as domestic cup tournaments such as the Emperor's Cup. Fagiano formerly played at the Tsuyama Stadium in Tsuyama before moving to the current JFE Harenokuni Stadium.
Training grounds are at the Masada Soccer Stadium and Prefecture Kanzakiyama Park Athletics Stadium, both are in Okayama City.
Fagiano main sponsor is Okayama Gas and their back sponsor is the Sanyo Shinbun, a local newspaper in Okayama.
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Club staff for 2025 season
Bold is for those competition that are currently active.