On July 7th, Chiba Lotte Marines and the CHIBA LOTTE MARINES CUP 2026 Executive Committee announced that they will be holding the "CHIBA LOTTE MARINES CUP 2026 Chiba Prefecture Junior High School Hardball baseball Tournament supported by Daiyu Home (" The Marines Cup 2026"), an exchange tournament for 56 teams belonging to the four junior high school hardball baseball leagues in Chiba Prefecture (Little Senior, Boys League, Pony League, and Young League), starting from July 11th.

The Marines The Cup 2026 is a tournament where junior high school hardball teams from across Chiba Prefecture come together, transcending the boundaries of their respective leagues. The Marines The Cup was first held in 2010 and was held for 10 consecutive years through 2019.This marks the 16th edition of the tournament (the 2020 tournament was not held to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and the 2021 tournament was canceled after the second round).Last year’s 2025 tournament champion was Kisarazu Little Senior. Matches are scheduled to take place starting July 25 at various locations throughout Chiba Prefecture (ball park), with the final and closing ceremony set for August 22 at Zozo Marine Stadium.

▼ The Marines Cup 2026 Overview

[Organizers] Chiba Lotte Marines Co., Ltd., CHIBA LOTTE MARINES CUP 2026 Executive Committee

[Organizing Committee Member Organizations] NPO Krensa Sports Academy, Japan Little Senior Junior High School Hardball baseball Association (Little Senior), Japan Boys baseball Federation (Boys League), Japan Pony Baseball Association (Pony League), All Japan Boys Hardball baseball Federation (Young League), Chiba Lotte Marines Co., Ltd.

[Purpose] To contribute to exchange among hardball baseball clubs in Chiba Prefecture, healthy youth development, and the popularization and development of baseball

[Dates] July 11th - August 22nd

*Final match: August 22nd (Zozo Marine Stadium), closing ceremony after the match.

[Venue] Zozo Marine Stadium and other ball park in Chiba Prefecture

[Participating Teams] Japan Little Senior Junior High School Hardball baseball Association (Little Senior): 29 teams, Japan Boys baseball Federation (Boys League): 18 teams, Japan Pony Baseball Association (Pony League): 7 teams, All Japan Boys Hardball baseball Federation (Young League): 2 teams