The Ryukyu Golden Kings announced a comprehensive fundraising campaign and special uniform series titled “Shuri Castle Reconstruction 2026,” marking the upcoming November 2026 general public opening of the rebuilt Shuri Castle main hall in Okinawa, Japan. PR TIMES reported that the professional basketball club organized the initiative to thank supporters who contributed to the initial rebuilding efforts following the devastating October 2019 fire, while also directing renewed attention toward the prefecture-wide restoration milestones.
Shuri Castle Fire Recovery Milestones and Public Opening Schedule
The rebuilt Shuri Castle main hall is scheduled to welcome the general public on Monday, November 23, 2026, setting a concrete milestone nearly seven years after the historic complex suffered catastrophic fire damage on October 31, 2019. Throughout the rebuilding process, the Ryukyu Golden Kings maintained an active role in supporting local reconstruction initiatives, beginning immediately after the 2019 blaze by offering original fundraising stickers and organizing donation boxes at home games.
B.League Clubs and Fan Contributions Totaling Over Eight Million Yen
The fundraising initiatives expanded well beyond Okinawa through collaborative efforts involving the B.League and 21 basketball clubs across Japan. Records released by the organization show that total donations collected through club venues, special projects, and fan contributions reached 8,167,081 Japanese yen, which was subsequently delivered directly to the Okinawa prefectural government. The collaborative effort spanned multiple chronological phases, including initial support activities in November 2019, a formal presentation of rebuilding donations in June 2020, and a B.League crowdfunding sales presentation held in August 2022.
Special Shuri Castle Edition Uniforms and Home Game Schedule
As part of the 2026 awareness campaign, the Ryukyu Golden Kings will host two dedicated home fixtures at the Okinawa Arena. On Thursday, November 12, 2026, the team faces the Sunrockers Shibuya at 19:35 local time (UTC+9), followed by a match against the Toyama Grouses on Monday, November 16, 2026, also starting at 19:35 local time (UTC+9). During both fixtures, players will wear special “Shuri Castle Reconstruction 2026 Edition” uniforms, while team staff members will sport commemorative “Kings Kariyushi Wear Shuri Castle Model” shirts initially introduced in 2020.
Merchandise Release Dates and Arena Exhibition Details
The club scheduled retail releases for the commemorative apparel ahead of the November fixtures, offering items in limited quantities through official channels. Inside the Okinawa Arena during the designated November games, attendees will receive an exclusive original sticker and gain access to a dedicated exhibition booth detailing the historical significance and reconstruction timeline of Shuri Castle.
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