OANDA Japan has signed a sponsorship deal with Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath, one of Japan Rugby League One’s top clubs, marking the broker’s first foray into mainstream sports marketing in the country. The agreement took effect today and places OANDA’s brand alongside one of Japan’s most recognisable corporate teams.

OANDA, a global multi-asset broker long associated with professional traders and tight regulatory standards, said it aims to reach a broader audience in one of the world’s most competitive retail FX markets.

OANDA was founded in the 1990s and now operates under licences from regulators in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, Australia, Poland — and Japan, where OANDA Japan Co. Ltd. holds a Type I Financial Instruments Business licence (No. 2137) from the Kanto Local Finance Bureau. The subsidiary also maintains registration as a commodity-futures dealer.

The company’s ownership has changed hands over the years. CVC Capital Partners Asia Fund IV bought OANDA in 2018 and agreed in 2025 to sell it to FTMO, the Czech trading-platform group, with OANDA to continue operating independently. The broker has been expanding its product base into crypto markets, including a majority stake in Coinpass in 2023 and the rollout of a UK crypto app.

Against that backdrop, brand marketing in Japan takes on added importance. The country’s Financial Services Agency enforces stringent leverage and advertising rules, giving licensed brokers a commercial incentive to stress credibility and education rather than aggressive promotions.

Why Rugby Fits

Tokyo Sungoliath, owned by beverage giant Suntory, was founded in 1980 and is one of Japan’s most decorated rugby teams. It plays in Division 1 of Japan Rugby League One (JRLO), the professional competition launched in 2022 to replace the old Top League. JRLO matches now draw five-figure crowds, with more than 50,000 fans attending the 2025 final at the National Stadium.

Rugby’s audience profile — male-skewed, affluent, and highly engaged — aligns closely with the demographics targeted by retail brokers. The sport’s values of discipline and teamwork also make it an appealing backdrop for financial brands seeking trust and professionalism rather than hype.

Within Japan, rugby sponsorships have become a favoured path for finance-app names such as eToro and CMC Markets to boost mainstream awareness. OANDA’s entry follows that trend but carries a local-regulation edge: the firm’s licence allows it to highlight compliance and longevity, differentiating it from newer entrants.

Inside the Deal

Neither party disclosed financial terms, but similar JRLO partnerships typically include kit placement, training-ground signage, hospitality rights, and community programmes. League operator Japan Rugby Marketing (JRM), a joint venture between JRLO and the Japan Rugby Football Union, has encouraged teams to pursue multi-year, brand-education-style sponsorships as part of the union’s 2025-to-2028 growth plan.

OANDA plans to use the tie-up for outreach campaigns and trading-education content rather than direct product pushes, in keeping with FSA advertising limits. A link to Suntory’s community initiatives, such as junior-rugby clinics, would fit both sides’ messaging.