Who Will Be Crowned the Ultimate Sportsman?
Get ready for some serious muscle and mayhem—‘The Ultimate Sports Men’s Showdown’ (a.k.a. “Spo-dan”) is making its grand return on November 18 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. The fan-favorite competition, known for bringing together top-tier entertainment stars and elite athletes, is back with an expanded cast and roaring live audiences.
Idols Step Into the Ring
Joining the fray are familiar faces from the K-pop world. n.SSign’s Song Yoon, SEIYA from BUDDiiS, and Haruki Okubo of DXTEEN are stepping outside the rehearsal studio and onto the battlefield. It’s a flex-fest you won’t want to miss.
Other rookies making their “Spo-dan” debut include GAKU (from aoen) and EIKI from MAZZEL, who previously made waves on their own stages. Apparently, parkour and dance practice double as serious sports training—who knew?
Pro Athletes in the Mix
Of course, it’s not all about idol eye candy. The lineup also features legit sports legends. Olympic gold medalist Kim Jun-ho, a fencing champion; Yōichirō Kakitani, former soccer pro who repped Japan at the World Cup; and Riku Arai, a former national water polo player, are all set to compete. They’re bringing real-deal athletic grit to this high-pressure playground.
Cheer Squads and Fandom Power
Bringing the noise from the sidelines are A-list cheer squads. From n.SSign, Hanjun and Hyewon will cheer on their teammate, while FUMINORI, MORRIE, and SHOOT from BUDDiiS promise fan chants that can shake the arena.
Other guest supporters include KAIRYU and SEITO from MAZZEL, DXTEEN’s Taichi Taniguchi and Shotaro Tanaka, and even SASUKE legend Katsumi Yamada—a true fitness icon in Japan’s obstacle course history books.
Fan Experiences and Ticket Info
While the exact schedule of events is still under wraps, the battlefield will open at 3 PM, with the main event starting at 4 PM and wrapping up around 9 PM. Tickets are priced at 7,800 yen and include a fan-only upgrade lottery, where lucky winners will snag closer seats to the action.
The real draw? Limited-edition fan service moments with your favorite competitors and cheer guests—only available to in-person attendees.
Can Your Bias Survive the Gauntlet?
Whether you’re there for the idols, the athletes, or just the eye-candy-meets-gladiator-energy spectacle, “Spo-dan” is shaping up to be the ultimate crossover event in Japan’s entertainment calendar. Will your bias survive the gauntlet—snatching hearts and trophies in one go?
“The Ultimate Sports Men’s Showdown” kicks off on November 18th at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. Keep an eye on TBS’s official ticket site for updates and second-round lottery details.
