2016/10/11 16:00
2016 J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP Retains GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Title For “Longest Sponsorship of a Professional Football Competition”
Recognised in 2013 as the longest continuous sponsorship of a professional soccer tournament by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS, J.League Cup (presently known as the J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP) title sponsor Yamazaki Biscuit Corporation (Shinjuku, Tokyo, CEO Shigeaki IIJIMA) have been reconfirmed as GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title holders following the company’s September 1 rebranding.
– Details –
■GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Summary
“Longest sponsorship of a professional football competition”
Recognised Period of Time: 24 Years
Date of Certification: September 4, 2016
■The J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP is a league cup tournament held since 1992, with the exception of 1995.
Since its inaugural year it has received special sponsorship from Yamazaki Biscuit Co Ltd. (known as Yamazaki Nabisco Co Ltd. through September 1, 2016), and until June 2016 was known as the J.League Yamazaki Nabisco CUP. The tournament was renamed to the “J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP” beginning with 2016 Knockout Stage on August 31. This year marks the competition’s 24th edition.
<Statement by J.LEAGUE Chairman Mitsuru MURAI on GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Title>
We are incredibly pleased to learn that the J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP has retained its GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title of the “Longest sponsorship of a professional football competition.” We would like to thank title sponsors Yamazaki Biscuit Co Ltd., who have offered their special cooperation since 1992, as well as the players, officials, fans, and supporters who have participated in the tournament throughout the years.
During this year’s edition, we faced the incredible task of a mid-tournament title change. As Yamazaki Biscuit wagered the company’s fortunes on a rebranding following the conclusion of the Nabisco license, the J.League chose to recognise the company’s patronage over the years by changing the name of the competition.
The last match remaining in this year’s tournament is the October 15 Final at Saitama Stadium 2002. That result will determine which team will be named the first “J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP” champion, and we hope that fans and supporters will look forward to the climax of a this history-making tournament.
[Reference] J.League-related GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Titles
Most consecutive football (soccer) hat-tricks – Masashi Nakayama (4)
Striker Masashi Nakayama, for Jubilo Iwata, scored hat tricks in four straight J.League 1st Stage matches between April 15 and April 29, 1998. His achievement was duly recognised by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS.
* GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ is a registered trademark of Guinness World Records Ltd.
