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Ivy Leaguers To Play For Global Bragging Rights In $1.4B Olympic Stadium At Dream Japan Bowl

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A sideline official sports an Ivy League logo during a football game.

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An awesome college football experience awaits Ivy League players as they aim for bragging rights in the Dream Japan Bowl. The matchup pits various contributors from conference member rosters against a Japanese all-star team.

The US team won the inaugural contest, squeaking by with a 24-20 victory. They’ll look to hold onto the title with national pride on the line.

Led by Brown coach James Perry, the Ivy Leaguers arrived in Japan this week. After getting settled from the long flight to Tokyo, the team held its first official practice.

That US squad boasts 52 players from the likes of Harvard, Princeton, Dartmouth, and more, and they’ll have less than a week to prepare for their opponent. Each of those players is either a senior or grad student.

Not only does the contest present an opportunity to flex their muscles on the field, but the Ivy League contributors will get a chance to explore the area and learn about the culture.

The Ivy League delegation will arrive in Tokyo on January 14 and balance its time between preparation for the game along with several Japanese cultural and educational events, including a planned visit to the historical city of Kamakura, a visit to the US embassy, interaction with Ivy League alumni, discussions with Japanese students and social exchanges with the Japanese team.

The team has already started those off-field adventures, taking a trip through Kamakura on Monday.

Dream Japan Bowl to be played in $1.4B Olympic Stadium

@thelarachannel 🏟️ Japan National Stadium Tour 🎌 This is one of the coolest things you can do in Tokyo! During the Japan National Stadium tour, you get to experience the legacy of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic & Paralympic Games. There are plenty of mini activities you can enjoy on this self-paced tour. If you’re traveling alone, you don’t even have to worry because there are numerous photo spots with phone stands available. Moreover, there are signs in both Japanese and English, making it easy for you to navigate the stadium. I had a lot of fun during the tour, and my favorite part was reaching the top deck. I literally got goosebumps when I viewed the panoramic stadium from above. This tour is a real treat not only for sports enthusiasts and Olympic & Paralympic fans but also for those with a passion for architecture. Japan’s National Stadium is a masterpiece of architectural design, and you’ll undoubtedly appreciate its stunning aesthetics and impressive engineering during your visit. 💴 ADMISSION Adult: ¥1,800(w/tax) Children: ¥1,000(w/tax) *May be accompanied by up to two children 6 and under for free 🚉 ACCESS Nearest Station: Kokuritsu-Kyogijo Station 2nd Nearest Station: Sendagaya Station Check out @kokuritu.tours website to check the schedule and purchase yout tickets. Tag someone you’d visit here with! 🥰 #pr #国立競技場 #国立競技場スタジアムツアー #japannationalstadium #japantravel #tokyotrip #whattodointokyo ♬ original sound – Laraララちゃん🌸 – Lara | Japan Travel

Site of the 2020 Summer Olympic ceremonies, National Stadium in Japan offers incredible scenes.

The 68,000-seat venue cost $1.4 billion to build, and plays host to soccer, rugby, and track and field events as well. And it was constructed with the gameday experience at the forefront.

“The beautiful stadium was built with both practicality and style in mind: Japan’s opportunity to showcase its advanced technology and eye for design,” a note on the Japan Travel’s website reads. “The three stories slope steeply so that even those in higher seats can feel the buzz of the games on the field.”

Football-goers will feel that firsthand when the Dream Japan Bowl kicks off on Saturday. Last year’s edition certainly didn’t disappoint.

Can the US make it two in a row?