The press conference announcing the organisation of Paris Saint-Germain Handball’s 2026 Japan Tour was held at Zeekstar Tokyo office in Tokyo. In attendance were: Yasufumi Kanemaru, President of the Japan Handball Association (JHA), Hidenori Miyamoto, Executive Director of the JHA, as well as several leading figures in Japanese handball, including Toni Gerona (head coach of the Japan national team), Tomohito Sato (head coach of Zeekstar Tokyo) and Hiroyasu Tamakawa (player for Zeekstar Tokyo). Luc Abalo, a Paris Saint-Germain Handball legend, former Zeekstar Tokyo player and now an advisor to the club, was also present.
Building on the success of previous tours, Paris Saint-Germain Handball will return to Tokyo for what is now firmly established as a highlight of the club's pre-season calendar. Les Rouge et Bleu will use this trip to continue their build-up ahead of the official start of the season, with several training sessions and two prestigious friendly matches.
Both matches will be played at iconic Tokyo venue, the Ariake Arena:
Tuesday 4 August 2026: against Zeekstar Tokyo
Wednesday 5 August 2026: against the Japan Next National team
Following a visit to the Japanese capital in early May with ‘Ici C’est Paris La Maison Tokyo’, this latest tour confirms Paris Saint-Germain’s growing presence in Japan’s sporting and cultural landscape. Season after season, the Japan Tour helps to strengthen the ties between the Club and its local supporters, whilst supporting the development of handball in Japan.
Beyond the sporting aspect, this tour will also be a key moment for team-building in the Parisian squad. In an environment conducive to hard work, performance and camaraderie, it will give the coaching staff and players a chance to lay the collective foundations for the 2026–2027 season. In keeping with the spirit of previous iterations, this trip will also feature meet-and-greets with fans, local events and initiatives dedicated to promoting handball.
“We are delighted to return to Tokyo for another edition of the Japan Tour. Year after year, this tour has established itself as a key part of our summer preparations and our international development strategy. Japan holds a special place in the recent history of Paris Saint-Germain Handball, thanks to the exceptional welcome the team has received and the growing enthusiasm surrounding our visits. This event allows us to both provide our players with ideal training conditions and to continue contributing to the popularity of handball among the Japanese public.”
“We are truly honored to welcome Paris Saint-Germain Handball back to Japan for the Paris Saint-Germain Handball Japan Tour 2026. PSG is one of the world’s premier handball clubs, with a long-standing presence at the forefront of European handball. We are confident that this tour will give Japanese handball fans a remarkable opportunity to witness world-class skill and athleticism up close. As part of our development program aimed at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, this event will feature Japan’s Next National Men’s Team — a squad of next-generation players representing the future of Japanese handball. We believe that competing against a club of PSG’s caliber will serve as an invaluable experience for these young athletes and a meaningful step forward for the growth of handball in Japan. We look forward to welcoming you all.”
“We are honoured to welcome Paris Saint-Germain Handball back to Tokyo for the 2026 Japan Tour. Over the years, this tour has become a major event for Japanese handball. The visit of a club as prestigious as Paris Saint-Germain offers our fans matches of the very highest standard and is a real source of inspiration for our players and young talents. We thank Paris Saint-Germain Handball for their continued trust, and we are convinced that the 2026 edition will help strengthen our ties and further the development of handball in Japan.”
“Japan is a country that holds a very special place in my life. I now live here, having ended my career at Zeekstar Tokyo, and I continue to dedicate myself every day to the development of handball here. Seeing Paris Saint-Germain Handball return to Tokyo every year is a real source of pride. This kind of event has a tangible impact; it inspires young players, helps to structure the sport and strengthens the ties between two cultures that share the same passion for sport.”