There has been a growing chorus of voices hoping for a live concert at the National Stadium

Since yesterday, social media timelines where people discuss MCZ have been increasingly filled with talk about a live show at the National Stadium. This was triggered by an announcement made at an idol group =LOVE concert held over the weekend at Yokohama Arena, revealing that they will perform live at MUFG Stadium for two days on June 20 and June 21. MUFG Stadium is the name used for the new National Stadium under a naming rights agreement.

Before the Tokyo Olympics, the old National Stadium was demolished for reconstruction. Only two female idol groups ever held live concerts at the old National Stadium: MCZ and AKB48. In contrast, at the new National Stadium, newly built in 2020 and also known as MUFG Stadium, three female groups will now have performed live: Sakurazaka46, TWICE, and =LOVE.

Among Mononofu fans, there remains a strong and persistent hope to see another live concert at the National Stadium. Only two groups, MCZ and AKB48, have the potential career distinction of having performed live at both the old and the new National Stadiums.

In recent years, there has also been a move away from holding summer stadium concerts, which has further fueled expectations for a rekindling of that past excitement once again.