SV.LEAGUE Signs MOU with Italy’s Lega Pallavolo Serie A Men’s League Advancing Collaboration to Enhance Competitive Excellence, Business Strength, and Global Value

April 17, 2026, Tokyo, Japan — The SV.LEAGUE (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: Masaaki Okawa; hereinafter “SV.LEAGUE”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Lega Pallavolo Serie A Men’s League (hereinafter “Lega Pallavolo”), the professional volleyball league in Italy, regarding mutual cooperation and exchange.

TThis MOU aims to strengthen collaboration between the two leagues in order to enhance the level of competition, improve league operations and business management capabilities, and increase their presence in the global market. It also seeks to contribute to the sustainable development of the volleyball communities in both countries.

Under this agreement, the SV.LEAGUE and the Lega Pallavolo will explore and promote collaboration primarily in the following areas:

• Enhancement of the level of competition and the competitive environment through player exchange
• Sharing of knowledge and expertise related to league operations, fan engagement, youth development, and the management of competitions and events
• Joint organization of various events, including competitions featuring teams from both leagues, youth tournaments and clinics, and exchange programs for coaches and trainers, as well as the implementation of other initiatives that contribute to the development of both leagues

Specific implementation details and conditions (including the handling of commercial rights) will be separately discussed and determined between the parties at a later stage.

In conjunction with the signing of this MOU, Mr. Massimo Righi, President of the Lega Pallavolo, visited Japan on April 17, 2026, and a signing ceremony was held at the Embassy of Italy in Japan. The ceremony was also attended by H.E. Mario Andrea Vattani, Ambassador of Italy to Japan.

From left: President Massimo Righi, Ambassodor H.E. Mariano Mario Andrea Vattani, Chairman Masaaki Okawa  ©SV.LEAGUE

H.E. Mario Andrea Vattani, Ambassador of Italy to Japan

“This year marks the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and Japan, a milestone year during which we are placing strong emphasis on sports diplomacy. In volleyball—one of the most globally recognized sports—both Italy and Japan are among the world’s top-level nations.

Last year, a match between Perugia and SUNTORY SUNBIRDS OSAKA was held at Ariake Arena, drawing a full-capacity crowd. In Japan, Italian players and coaches are actively contributing to the success of top teams such as HOKKAIDO YELLOW STARS and WOLFDOGS NAGOYA. Meanwhile, Japanese players such as Yuki Ishikawa and Mayu Ishikawa, who compete in Italy, served as ambassadors for the Italian Pavilion at last year’s Osaka Expo.

Volleyball plays a significant role in the economies of both Italy and Japan, generating substantial brand value. Many Japanese companies sponsor Italian league teams, and some Japanese players have become key brand ambassadors for Italian companies.

It is a great pleasure to see Lega Pallavolo and the SV.LEAGUE form this partnership in such a meaningful year.”

Masaaki Okawa, Chairman, SV.LEAGUE

“First, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to hold today’s press conference at the Embassy of Italy—a wonderful venue where Italian and Japanese cultures come together.

We visited Italy in December last year and again this February. Today, we are honored to welcome Mr. Massimo Righi, President of the Serie A Men’s League, who has traveled from Italy to Japan to make this ceremony possible.

The SV League was launched with the goal of becoming one of the world’s top leagues by 2030. Throughout this journey, Lega Pallavolo has always been our benchmark. Beyond exchanges at the top-team level, we are committed to strengthening collaboration in coaching and youth development, and we look forward to growing together.

Finally, we share a common vision with Lega Pallavolo: to elevate volleyball as a sport. Volleyball is said to have one of the largest player bases in the world, and we aim to further develop it from a business perspective, making it a sport loved by fans worldwide. Together, Lega Pallavolo and the SV.LEAGUE will join forces to lead the global volleyball landscape. With that vision in mind, we are excited to move forward and ask for your continued support as we roll out various initiatives in the future.”

Massimo Righi, President, Lega Pallavolo

“I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to hold this ceremony at the historic Embassy of Italy in Japan. It is highly meaningful to sign this memorandum between the top leagues of our two countries in this milestone year marking the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Italy.

This memorandum aims to promote dialogue and collaboration within the international volleyball community, further enhancing the value of both leagues. Based on a foundation of vision, transparency, and courage, we will actively contribute to the development of both organizations.

From our very first meeting, Chairman Okawa and I shared a strong mutual understanding, and a natural willingness to build a cooperative relationship through the exchange of experience and knowledge. As Lega Pallavolo, we are also committed to sharing the expertise we have developed over the years on a global scale, contributing to the overall growth of volleyball.

While Lega Pallavolo is often regarded as one of the world’s top volleyball leagues, we believe it is not meaningful for only one league to hold that position. The sport becomes truly exciting when multiple leagues across different countries reach the highest level and compete to determine the very best. Through this partnership, we aim to help make that vision a reality.

We have great expectations for the remarkable growth of the SV.LEAGUE. In particular, its event operations are outstanding and offer many valuable lessons. Through this collaboration, we are confident that it will generate significant results for both parties across organizational management, communications, competition, and business operations.”

The SV.LEAGUE positions this MOU as a key component of its global strategy and aims to establish itself as a leader in the international market through its partnership with the Lega Pallavolo, one of the world’s top volleyball leagues. At the same time, the SV.LEAGUE will continue to strive for further enhancement of the competitive level of Japanese volleyball and sustainable business growth, while strengthening its international presence.