On July 11 (Sat) & 12 (Sun), 2026, SpongeBob SquarePants and friends are coming to Ikebukuro Sunshine City, Fountain Plaza!
PLAZA is hosting a real-life event called “Welcome to GLOVE WORLD!” — themed around the iconic SpongeBob episode “Rock Bottom,” and it’s going to be an absolute dream for fans 🎉
We’ve rounded up everything you need to know — Meet & Greet lottery, exclusive merch, and more!
📖 What’s in This Article 📖
☝️ Event dates, location & full schedule for SpongeBob’s “Welcome to GLOVE WORLD!”
✌️ How to enter the LINE Meet & Greet lottery + what to expect on the day
🤟 Exclusive venue merch & how to score the free limited-edition pin badges
SpongeBob “Welcome to GLOVE WORLD!” Ikebukuro Event 2026 – Overview ✨
This event is themed around one of the most beloved SpongeBob SquarePants episodes ever — “Rock Bottom” — and it’s an absolute must for any fan 🎪
It’s organized by Styling Life Holdings Plaza Style Company, the team behind PLAZA, and they’ve gone all out!
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Welcome to GLOVE WORLD! |
| Dates | July 11 (Sat) & 12 (Sun), 2026 |
| Hours | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Merchandise sales: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM) |
| Venue | Ikebukuro Sunshine City, Fountain Plaza |
| Admission | Free (conditions apply for merchandise & novelty gifts) |
| Organizer | Styling Life Holdings Plaza Style Company |
Since it’s a free, indoor event, you can enjoy it comfortably even on a scorching summer day ☀️
Ikebukuro Sunshine City is super easy to get to, making it the perfect destination for a summer memory!
Meet & Greet Schedule for July 11 (Sat) & 12 (Sun), 2026 🐠
SpongeBob, Patrick, and Squidward will all be appearing at the Meet & Greet — held 4 times a day! Here are the times 👇
- 🕐 11:30 AM (approx. 20 min)
- 🕑 1:00 PM (approx. 20 min)
- 🕒 3:00 PM (approx. 20 min)
- 🕓 4:30 PM (approx. 20 min)
Photo sessions aren’t open to everyone — only LINE lottery winners get to participate 🎯
Winners get the super rare chance to snap a photo right alongside SpongeBob — how amazing is that?!
How to Enter the Meet & Greet LINE Lottery 📱
To enter, you’ll need to add the “PLAZA Event Reception” LINE account as a friend.
Applications opened on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM — if you haven’t signed up yet, go check it out now!
Winning isn’t guaranteed, but even if you don’t get picked, the venue has photo spots and AR filters set up too — so you’ll still have an amazing time either way 📸✨
SpongeBob Exclusive Venue Merch & Novelty Gift Info 🛍️
Venue-Exclusive “Rock Bottom” Episode-Themed Apparel & Goods
The venue will feature original apparel and accessories themed around the “Rock Bottom” episode, available as a venue-exclusive early release 👕✨
“Rock Bottom” is the iconic episode where SpongeBob gets stranded in a bizarre underground world — known for its uniquely dark and surreal atmosphere!
Merch based on THAT episode?! Honestly, that alone makes this event so hype 😭
Merchandise sales run from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, so we’d recommend heading straight there when it opens — it’s going to be busy!
Popular items are likely to sell out fast, so get there as early as you can 💨
![[Prices may differ from when this link was created.]](https://hbb.afl.rakuten.co.jp/hgb/5442c272.74c824d9.5442c273.879c29c4/?me_id=1399543&item_id=10004649&pc=https%3A%2F%2Fthumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp%2F%400_mall%2Fpop-mart-japan%2Fcabinet%2F12460215%2F12515489%2F13151025%2F1.jpg%3F_ex%3D240x240&s=240x240&t=picttext "[Prices may differ from when this link was created.]")
👉 Find SpongeBob Bikini Bottom Buddies Funny Plush Series 2 on Amazon 🔍
PLAZA PASS Members Only! How to Get All 8 Exclusive Pin Badge Designs 🏅
Here’s another sweet perk for PLAZA PASS full members — you can score an exclusive novelty gift 🎁
Spend ¥3,000 or more (tax included) at the venue and you’ll receive a capsule toy medal — use it to spin for a random pin badge!
- 🎀 Pin badge designs: 8 total (random)
- ⚠️ Limited quantity: 400 per day
- 📌 Eligible: PLAZA PASS full members only
If you’re going for all 8 designs, the quickest strategy is to spend ¥3,000+ on both days 👀
With only 400 available each day, it’s strictly first come, first served — don’t sleep on it!!
Happening Nationwide Too! “GLOVE WORLD! The Wacky Ride” PLAZA Promotion 🎪
Running alongside the Ikebukuro event, the related promotion “GLOVE WORLD! The Wacky Ride” is rolling out across PLAZA stores nationwide and the PLAZA online store 🌈
- 📅 Period: June 26 (Fri) – July 16 (Thu), 2026
- 🏬 Where: All PLAZA stores nationwide + PLAZA Online Store
Even if you can’t make it to Ikebukuro, you can still grab SpongeBob SquarePants goodies at your local PLAZA or online! SpongeBob fans, do NOT miss this window 🐚
And did you know — July 14th is actually SpongeBob’s birthday?! 🎂 There’ll be a birthday message board at the venue, so leaving him a little note would be the cutest thing ever 🎉
Check Out the PLAZA Online Store!
July 14th is SpongeBob’s birthday, so I definitely want to leave a message for him at the venue! And I’m dreaming of completing all 8 pin badge designs 🎂
🌈 Wrap-Up 🌈
✅ SpongeBob’s “Welcome to GLOVE WORLD!” real-life event is being held FREE at Ikebukuro Sunshine City on July 11 & 12, 2026!
✅ Meet & Greet photo sessions run 4 times a day via LINE pre-lottery — if you haven’t entered yet, hurry!
✅ PLAZA PASS full members who spend ¥3,000+ can receive a capsule toy medal to spin for any of the 8 exclusive pin badge designs (limited to 400 per day)
🔗 Source: PR TIMES | Styling Life Holdings Plaza Style Company Press Release
🔗 Official Details: PLAZA Official Website – Event Page
© 2026 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. SpongeBob SquarePants and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.
SpongeBob is literally coming to Ikebukuro?!
And the theme is “Rock Bottom” — that is such an iconic episode choice, fans are going to LOVE this 🐚 You seriously have to enter the Meet & Greet lottery!!