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The relationship between Japanese and Italian volleyball is about to take another step forward.
The Suntory Sunbirds Osaka have announced that they will travel to Italy from October 4 to October 13, 2026, for a series of exhibition matches against clubs from Italy’s top division, Serie A. The exact opponents, venues and match dates have not yet been announced, with further details expected in the coming weeks.
The tour is part of the ongoing partnership between Suntory and Sir Susa Scai Perugia, originally signed in January 2025.
The agreement was created not only with sporting objectives in mind, but also to encourage a broader exchange of knowledge between the two organisations, including team development and expertise in the organisation and management of home matches.
The first major result of that partnership came less than a year later.
In October 2025, Perugia travelled to Japan for the Qoo10 presents World Challenge Series 2025, facing the Suntory Sunbirds at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.
The event became much more than a pair of preseason matches, as the two games attracted a combined audience of around 28,000 spectators, turning the encounter between the Italian and Japanese champions into a major international showcase for the sport.
Perugia won both matches.
In the opening game on October 7, the Italian side came from behind to defeat the reigning Japanese champions 3–1 (20:25, 25:21, 26:24, 25:21). Yuki Ishikawa, the Japanese captain who was playing for Perugia, added an intriguing personal dimension to the occasion, facing a club whose players included several of his national-team teammates.
The following day, Perugia completed the sweep with another convincing victory, winning 3–0 (25:19, 25:21, 25:18). Simone Giannelli was among the protagonists, while Ran Takahashi, captain of Suntory and one of the leading faces of Japanese volleyball, represented the home side.
The scale of the Tokyo event also demonstrated how far the partnership could reach beyond the court. The matches were broadcast nationally in Japan, while the event attracted extensive coverage from television networks, newspapers and online media. Perugia’s visit was accompanied by promotional activities, meetings and institutional events, highlighting the growing commercial and cultural connection between Italian and Japanese volleyball.
Now the direction of travel is being reversed.
This time, it will be the Suntory Sunbirds Osaka travelling to Italy, where they will have the opportunity to measure themselves against some of the leading teams in one of the world’s strongest domestic leagues.
For the Japanese side, the matches will provide valuable competitive preparation as well as an opportunity to experience the tactical, physical and organisational environment of Italian professional volleyball.
For Perugia and Suntory, meanwhile, the Italian tour represents another stage in a partnership that is gradually becoming something larger than a traditional club-to-club agreement. What began with conversations around volleyball and team development has already produced a major international event in Tokyo; now, the same exchange will move to Italy.
And with the Japanese champions set to spend nine days in the country, the list of Serie A clubs that will get the chance to face them could make for some particularly interesting preseason encounters.
The schedule is still to come.
The first date, however, is already fixed: October 4, when the Suntory Sunbirds will leave Japan for their Italian adventure!
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