FC Machida Zelvia (フットボールクラブ町田ゼルビア, Futtobōru Kurabu Machida Zerubia) was one of the twelve teams chosen (the 'original-11', plus the J-League under 22 selection squad[1]) to participate in the 2014 inaugural season of the professional J3 LeagueJapanese football competition.

[2][3] The team was already licensed for the J2 league, having already played in that league for the 2013 season before being relegated.

This meant they were one of only four teams in the league licensed for the J2 League, and therefore eligible to promotion to J2 at the end of the season.

[3][4] Having finished in last place in the J2 League in 2013, Machida faced relegation out of the J-League altogether, dropping to the semi-professional JFL league.

In part to "rescue" Machida from this ignominious fate, support for the establishment of a new J3 League developed.