500 Drones Light Up Hanazono
Hanazono Rugby Stadium looks to the skies October 3–4 as 500 drones take flight in an ultra-low-altitude nighttime spectacle. Add a glowing bubble show, live entertainment and a free food festival, and one of Osaka's great sporting venues becomes an entirely different kind of arena.
Hanazono Rugby Stadium is famous for what happens on its grass. For two nights this October, the action moves into the sky.
Hanazono Drone Show Festa 2026 takes over the historic Higashiosaka stadium on October 3–4, sending 500 illuminated drones into the night above the arena. And rather than creating a distant display on the horizon, organizers are promising an unusually close encounter, with ultra-low-altitude flight designed to bring the formations dramatically closer to spectators below.
The main show is produced by RED CLIFF, the drone entertainment company behind large-scale displays at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. Hundreds of individually controlled points of light will move together above Hanazono, transforming the stadium sky into a giant animated canvas.
But the drones are only part of the spectacle. A Night Bubble Show brings together 10 performers for a combination of bubbles, colored light and music, adding another layer of visual entertainment inside the stadium. The two experiences are paired for spectators in the main S, A and B viewing areas, while lower-priced C seating provides admission to the drone show alone.
The festival begins well before darkness falls. From 16:00, the surrounding Fountain Square becomes a free-entry festival area, with around 20 food trucks joined by live artists, street performers and festival-style activities. That turns the evening into more than a 19:30 show: visitors can arrive in the afternoon, eat and explore the entertainment before heading into the stadium as night falls.
It’s a very different use for a venue synonymous with Japanese rugby. Hanazono opened in 1929 as Japan’s first dedicated rugby stadium and remains one of the sport’s most storied grounds, best known nationally as the home of the annual high school rugby championship. For one October weekend, however, the grandstands aren’t looking toward a try line. They’re looking up.
And getting inside matters. Because the drones will operate at unusually low altitude, organizers have established a protected flight zone and say the display cannot be viewed from the free festival area. A paid stadium ticket is required to see the drone show, with several seating levels offering different views and experiences.
The result promises to turn an Osaka sporting landmark into something altogether different: part festival, part light show and part futuristic nighttime theater — with 500 drones taking center stage above Hanazono.
Sky Takes Center Stage — Watch 500 illuminated drones transform the night above Hanazono Rugby Stadium.
Up-Close Flight — Ultra-low-altitude formations bring the drone spectacle unusually close to spectators inside the stadium.
Bubbles After Dark — Ten performers combine bubbles, colored light and music in a separate Night Bubble Show.
Festival Before Nightfall — Arrive early for around 20 food trucks, live performers and festival activities in the free-entry Fountain Square.
A Stadium Transformed — Experience one of Japan’s most storied rugby grounds turned into a nighttime arena of drones, light and entertainment.
Photos: Official Hanazono Drone Show Website
Maps
Contact
Opening Hours
THE SCENE: FAQ’s
ACCESS
Venue: Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium
Address: 1-1-1 Matsubaraminami, Higashiosaka, Osaka 578-0923
Trains:
Kintetsu Nara Line → Higashi-Hanazono Station → approx. 10–12 minutes on foot
From Osaka-Namba, take the Kintetsu Nara Line toward Nara and get off at Higashi-Hanazono Station. From the station, head north toward Hanazono Central Park and follow the approach to Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium.
Subways:
Metro Sennichimae Line → Namba Station ↔ Kintetsu Osaka-Namba Station → Kintetsu Nara Line → Higashi-Hanazono Station
From Namba, follow signs through the underground station complex to Kintetsu Osaka-Namba Station. Transfer to the Kintetsu Nara Line toward Nara and get off at Higashi-Hanazono Station, then walk approximately 10–12 minutes to the stadium.
Visitors traveling on the Metro Chuo Line can also connect with Kintetsu services via Nagata, but the Namba ↔ Kintetsu Nara Line route is generally the simpler option when coming from central Osaka.
SCHEDULE
Dates: October 3–4, 2026
Event Hours: 16:00–21:00
Main Show: 19:30–
The festival begins at 16:00, with the free-entry area at Hanazono Central Park's Fountain Square offering food and entertainment before the main nighttime spectacle.
Free Festival Area
- Premium Food Festa with approximately 20 food trucks
- Live music performances
- Street performers
- Festival-game booths and other activities
Night Bubble Show
Ten performers combine bubbles, lighting and music in a nighttime performance for spectators with S, A and B tickets.
Drone Show — 19:30–
The main attraction sends 500 illuminated drones into ultra-low-altitude formations above Hanazono Rugby Stadium.
A detailed running order for the live performances, street entertainment and Night Bubble Show has not yet been announced.
There will be no fireworks at this event.
TICKETS
A paid ticket is required to watch the drone show inside Hanazono Rugby Stadium. Because of the ultra-low-altitude flight plan and required safety zone, organizers state that the drone show cannot be viewed from the free festival area.
S Center Front — ¥5,000
Front-center seating for the Drone Show and Night Bubble Show.
SOLD OUT for October 3 and 4.
A Side Front — ¥4,000
Front-side seating for the Drone Show and Night Bubble Show.
SOLD OUT for October 3 and 4.
B General Admission — ¥3,000
General seating with access to both the Drone Show and Night Bubble Show.
C General Admission — ¥1,000
Lower-priced general seating for the Drone Show only.
Night Bubble Show not included.
Photographer Standing Stand — ¥6,000
Dedicated photography area. Tripods are permitted in this section.
Wheelchair Seat — ¥2,000
Dedicated viewing area for wheelchair users.
A ¥0 disability ticket is also available in association with B General Admission and requires accompaniment by a person holding a regular B ticket.
Early-Bird Discount:
B, C, Photographer and Wheelchair tickets are currently offered at 20% off through August 31, while limited discounted quantities remain.
Same-Day Tickets:
Same-day admission is ¥500 more than the listed advance price for ticket categories where same-day sales are offered.
Tickets are sold separately for October 3 and October 4 through LivePocket.
October 3 Tickets:
https://t.livepocket.jp/e/hanazono-drone1003
October 4 Tickets:
https://t.livepocket.jp/e/hanazono-drone1004
THE EXPERIENCE
A paid ticket is required to enter Hanazono Rugby Stadium and watch the Night Bubble Show and Drone Show. The free Fountain Square festival can be enjoyed without a ticket, but the Drone Show cannot be seen from the free area.
S Center Front — ¥5,000
Reserved center-front seating for the Night Bubble Show and Drone Show.
A Side Front — ¥4,000
Reserved front seating to the side of the center section.
B General Admission — ¥3,000
Unreserved seating for both the Night Bubble Show and Drone Show.
C General Admission — ¥1,000
Unreserved admission for the Drone Show only.
Photographer Standing Stand — ¥6,000
Dedicated photography area where tripods and selfie sticks are permitted.
Wheelchair Seat — ¥2,000
Dedicated wheelchair viewing area. One accompanying person is included at no additional charge.
Same-Day Tickets
When available, same-day tickets cost ¥500 more than advance tickets. Check current availability before traveling.
Children
Children age 3 and under may attend free when sitting on an accompanying adult’s lap. Children age 4 and older require a regular ticket.
Free Area
Fountain Square is free to enter, with food trucks, performances and festival activities. A paid stadium ticket is required to see the Drone Show.
Cancellations & Refunds
Tickets cannot normally be changed, cancelled or refunded after purchase. If organizers cancel the event in advance, tickets will be refunded. If the event begins and is later cancelled because of sudden weather or other conditions, refunds are not provided.
Purchase
Tickets are sold through LivePocket. Registration is required.
https://t.livepocket.jp/e/hanazono_drone_show_festa2026
INFO & TIPS
Arrive Early
The Drone Show begins at 19:30, but the event opens at 16:00 with food, live performances and other activities. Visitors with unreserved B or C tickets choose available seats after entering, so arriving earlier gives you more choice.
Free Area vs. Stadium
The Fountain Square festival area is free and includes food trucks, street performances and other activities. However, the Drone Show cannot be viewed from the free area. A paid ticket is required to enter Hanazono Rugby Stadium for the main performance.
Re-entry
Re-entry is permitted. Visitors receive a wristband at reception; keep it on if you plan to leave and return to the venue.
Rain & Weather
The event is scheduled to proceed in rain. Umbrellas and tents are prohibited, so bring a raincoat if wet weather is expected. Severe or sudden weather conditions can still cause the event to be cancelled.
Photography & Video
Personal photography and video recording are permitted, and visitors may share their footage on social media and YouTube. Livestreaming is prohibited. Tripods and selfie sticks may only be used in the dedicated Photographer area and are prohibited in regular seating.
Strollers & Children
Strollers may be brought into the venue but cannot be taken into the seating area. Leave them in the designated stroller/cart storage area before entering the stands. Baby-changing facilities are available in the restrooms.
Wheelchair Access
Dedicated wheelchair seating is available and includes one accompanying person at no additional charge. Visitors using wheelchairs who hold tickets for other seating areas must leave the wheelchair at the designated storage area and walk to their seats.
What to Bring
The main show takes place outdoors after dark. Dress for the evening temperature and bring rainwear when necessary. Regular seating areas do not permit leisure sheets, tripods or selfie sticks.
Social Media
Official Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/hanazono_droneshow_festa
Official Hashtag:
#花園ドローンショーフェスタ
Official Contact
Organizer: Higashiosaka Hanazono Revitalization Management Joint Venture
Planning / Operations: HOS Co., Ltd. / REMIC Co., Ltd.
Official Site:
https://drone-show-festa.com/
FAQ / Contact:
https://drone-show-festa.com/faq/
The organizer directs event inquiries through the official website or ticket-site inquiry form.
