The Story Behind the “2026 – Dallas Is Home” Split Kit
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
This one means a lot to us.
What started as individual trips across the world turned into something much bigger than we could have imagined. Between 2024 and 2026, multiple members of the Dallas Beer Guardians found themselves in Japan, taking in J-League matches, experiencing supporter culture firsthand, and building a real appreciation for the passion, precision, and pride that define the game there. Those weren’t just trips. They were the beginning of a connection.
Fast forward to the World Cup draw. When it was announced that Dallas would host group stage matches and that Japan would play two of their three games here, it immediately felt personal. This wasn’t just another host city assignment. This was an opportunity to return the hospitality, the respect, and the culture that our members had experienced abroad.
Not long after, that connection became real. In March 2026, Asahi Ueda, one of the leaders of Ultras Nippon, visited Dallas. From the moment we met, it clicked. No awkward introductions, no figuring things out. Just mutual respect, shared values, and a love for supporter culture that translated instantly. It didn’t take long to realize that this wasn’t going to be a one-off meeting. This was the start of a real friendship.
From there, everything moved naturally.
We began talking about what 2026 could look like. Not just matches, but the full experience; what it means to truly welcome supporters into your city. We knew we wanted Dallas to feel like home for the hundreds of Japan National Team supporters making the trip. That meant creating spaces, building community, and doing it the right way. That’s where our friends at Peticolas Brewing Company came in.
Already a cornerstone of our culture in Dallas, Peticolas quickly became part of this story as well. Asahi connected with the team there just as naturally, and it didn’t take long for it to feel like a shared home base. A place where supporters could gather, connect, and experience Dallas the way it is meant to be—together.
Somewhere along the way, the idea for the kit was born. We didn’t want to just say “welcome.” We wanted to create something that showed it.
Working alongside Asahi, who ultimately designed the kit, we brought together both identities into a single piece. A true split down the middle: Dallas and Japan, side by side. Not blended, not diluted, each with its own identity, equally represented. Because that’s what this is. Not one culture absorbing another, but two coming together in mutual respect.
The result is the “2026 – Dallas Is Home” split kit.
It’s more than a jersey.
It’s a reflection of shared experiences.
It’s a symbol of friendship that crossed an ocean.
And it’s a promise—that when supporters from Japan arrive in Dallas, they won’t just be visiting.
They’ll be home.
ダラスへようこそ — Welcome to Dallas.
*The "2026 - Dallas Is Home" Split Kit is available for pre-order only through April 30. Buy yours today!
Comments