Omiya Ardija

Omiya Ardija (大宮アルディージャ) is a Japanese professional association football club based in Ōmiya, Saitama Prefecture. Its "hometown" as designated by the league is the whole of Saitama city, which is shared with neighbours Urawa Red Diamonds. The team currently competes in the J3 League from 2024, the Japanese third tier of professional football. After relegation from 2023 in second tier.

Their home field is Nack5 Stadium Ōmiya (Nack5スタジアム大宮): Ōmiya Football Stadium by the naming rights with occasional games being played at the Kumagaya Athletic Stadium.

Crest
Omiya Ardija's crest features a squirrel on the right, which is the animal of Omiya. On the left, there are 5 lines, which reference the historic roads that run through Omiya, including the famous Nakasendō, which runs to the Hikawa Shrine, right near Nack5 Stadium.

History
The team were founded in 1968 as NTT Saitama Soccer Selection in Urawa, Saitama and later known as the NTT Kantō Soccer Club in 1969. They were first promoted to the Japan Soccer League (JSL) Division 2 in 1987/88, and when the JSL folded, joined the former Japan Football League.

In 1998 it was separately incorporated as NTT Sport Community K.K. based in Ōmiya to participate in the J. League. The name "Ardija" is a transcription of the Spanish language ardilla (squirrel) which is the mascot of Ōmiya and the park in which their home stadium is located.

Their matches against Urawa Red Diamonds have been called the "Saitama derby".

In 2005–2007 most of Omiya's home matches were held at Saitama Stadium 2002 and Urawa Komaba Stadium due to expansion works at their home ground. In October 2007 the expansion was complete. On November 11, the re-opening match was held as a J. League season match between the Ardija and Ōita Trinita (1–2).

Omiya competed in the J1 League following an immediate promotion in 2015 after being relegated in 2014. Omiya was relegated again following the 2017 season. They competed in J1 2005 and continued to remain until 2014, following promotion from J2 in 2004 as the second placed team.

In 2023, Omiya were relegated to J3 League after six seasons stint in second division due to worst performance and will play third division football for the first time since 1993.

Mascots
Omiya Ardija has two squirrels as its mascots, named Ardi and Miya. Both wear the team kits. According to the club website, Miya is one size smaller than Ardi, being then, slightly shorter than him.

Record as a J. League member

 * Key
 * Pos. = Position in league; P = Games played; W = Games won; D = Games drawn; L = Games lost; F = Goals scored; A = Goals conceded; GD = Goals difference; Pts = Points gained
 * Attendance/G = Average home league attendance
 * † 2020 & 2021 seasons attendances reduced by COVID-19 worldwide pandemic.
 * Source: J. League Data Site

Out on loan

 * Past (and present) players who are the subjects of Wikipedia articles can be found here

Omiya Ardija U-18
The main U-18 team of Omiya Ardija currently plays in the Prince Takamado U-18 Premier League, the top-flight league for U-18 clubs in the country.