
It’s January, February, and March madness!
The long-running franchise that is One Piece has dominated manga, anime, video games, card games, live action TV, and Times Square. Recently, it’s even had its sights set on many of the USA’s biggest sports, with the most recent being NCAA basketball, which is getting the One Piece treatment at not just one but 15 games between January and March 2026.
One Piece College Basketball: US Voyage will bring fun activities and limited-edition merch to teams and schools from coast to coast, starting with Rutgers University in New Jersey and Gozanga University in Washington, from late January to early February. It can also be experienced at St. John’s University in New York throughout February. The latter half of February and early March will see events take place at the University of Houston in Texas and the University of Illinois. A full schedule can be found at the end of this article.
Three One Piece-themed games will be held at each venue, and one of those three will feature a special halftime show. Attendees at those games will be treated to a special performance of the theme song “We are!” by the schools’ marching bands and cheerleading squads, while limited-edition T-shirts will be launched into the stands. And speaking of T-shirts, students of the participating schools who attend games will receive free T-shirts featuring Luffy and their school’s logo.
All spectators will receive a similar image of Luffy flexing his stuff by a team logo for each school in the form of a poster given away for free.
Not only that, but they’ll also receive a very limited One Piece College Basketball: US Voyage card for the One Piece Card Game.
Much like in past sports collaborations, the venues will be decked out in One Piece displays to give them a whole new look. Also, before the Rutgers game on 23 January and during a timeout of the St. John’s game on 6 February, a video shout-out by cast members of the live-action One Piece series will be shown.
▼ I wonder if my fellow Guinness Record holders Emily Rudd and Mackenyu Maeda will be a part of the video.
Now, with NCAA basketball another notch in One Piece’s scabbard, its conquering of American sports is nearly complete. We’ll be sure to let you know when it eventually reaches the shores of NHL, FIFA, and International Sports Onigoko Federation games.
Game Schedule
Friday, 23 January
Rutgers University vs Indiana University (with special halftime show)
Saturday, 24 January
Goznga University vs University of San Francisco
Tuesday, 27 January
Rutgers University vs Michigan State University
Saturday, 31 January
Gozanga University vs Saint Mary’s College of California (with special halftime show)
Friday, 6 February
St. John’s University vs University of Connecticut (with special show)
Saturday, 7 February
Rutgers University vs University of Nebraska
Monday, 9 February
St. John’s University vs Xavier University
Tuesday, 10 February
Gozanga University vs Washington State University
Saturday, 14 February
University of Houston vs Kansas State University (with special halftime show)
Sunday, 15 February
University of Illinois vs Indiana University
Saturday, 21 February
University of Houston vs University of Arizona
Friday, 27 February
University of Illinois vs University of Michigan (with special halftime show)
Saturday, 28 February
St. John’s University vs Villanova University
Tuesday, 3 March
University of Illinois vs University of Oregon
Wednesday, 4 March
University of Houston vs Baylor University
Related: One Piece College Basketball: US Voyage
Images: ©Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha, ©Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha, Toei Animation, ©Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., ©SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!





One Piece teams up with the Los Angeles Lakers for pirate anime/pro basketball crossover
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Taco Spaghetti appears in Japan, and our taco fan rushes to try it[Taste test]
Krispy Kreme Japan releases new fruit doughnuts…that taste better cold
Japanese man’s gross conveyor belt sushi social media prank video gets him a 500,000-yen fine
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
The adorable, delicious joy of the Totoro cream puff gift box[Taste test]
Beautiful new dangling Totoro socks let the Ghibli mascot sway with every step[Photos]
Japan’s Mos Burger goes super-premium for summer with eel burgers that require pre-orders
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Starbucks Japan creates special drink bottle bags, adorable stickers for all 47 prefectures[Pics]
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
“Phantom Egg Shop” opens in Japan, with a dozen rare Japanese varieties
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]