J.League

{{Short description|Association football league in Japan}} {{More citations needed|date=May 2023}} {{Infobox football league | name = J.League | logo = J new logo.png | pixels = 120px | caption = | country = Japan | confed = [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] | founded = {{start date and age|1991|11|1|df=yes}} | first = [[1993 J.League|1993]] | teams = 60 | levels = [[Japanese association football league system#Overview|1–3]] | divisions = [[J1 League]] [[J2 League]] [[J3 League]] | domest_cup = [[Emperor's Cup]] [[Japanese Super Cup|Fujifilm Super Cup]] | league_cup = [[J.League Cup|J.League YBC Levain Cup]] | confed_cup = [[AFC Champions League Elite]] [[AFC Champions League Two]] | champions = {{nowrap|J1: [[Kashima Antlers]] (9th title)}} J2: [[Mito HollyHock]] (1st title) J3: [[Tochigi City FC|Tochigi City]] (1st title) | season = 2025 season | most_champs = J1: [[Kashima Antlers]] (9 titles) J2: [[Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo]] (3 titles) J3: [[Blaublitz Akita]] (2 titles)  | tv = J1: [[DAZN]] J2: DAZN J3: DAZN/[[Lemino]] | website = {{Official website|www.jleague.co}} | current = [[2026–27 J1 League]]; 8–9 August 2026 – 5–6 June 2027 [[2026–27 J2 League]]; 8–9 August 2026 – 22–23 May 2027 [[2026–27 J3 League]]; 8–9 August 2026 – 22–23 May 2027 }} The {{Nihongo|'''Japan Professional Football League'''|日本プロサッカーリーグ|Nihon Puro Sakkā Rīgu|lead=yes<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jfa.jp/documents/faq/terminology.html |script-title=ja:サッカー用語集 |trans-title=Football glossary |date=January 25, 2017 |website=JFA |publisher=[[Japan Football Association]] |language=ja |access-date=February 24, 2019 |script-quote=ja:「日本プロサッカーリーグ」の読みは、「にほんプロサッカーリーグ」。 |archive-date=February 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213030539/http://www.jfa.jp/documents/faq/terminology.html |url-status=live }}</ref>}}, {{a.k.a.}} {{Nihongo|'''J.League'''|Jリーグ|Jē Rīgu|lead=yes}}, and officially known as the {{Nihongo|'''Meiji Yasuda J.League'''|明治安田Jリーグ||lead=yes}} for sponsorship with [[Meiji Yasuda Life]], is the association football league in [[Japan]]. It is responsible for organizing Japan's major professional football competitions, including the [[J1 League|J1]], [[J2 League|J2]] and [[J3 League|J3]] leagues. Established in 1993 as Japan's first professional football league, it has been one of the most successful leagues in Asia. Originally founded as a single division, in 1999, the second division J2 League was established, followed by the third division J3 League in 2013.

==History== {{for-multi|the history of Japanese club association football before the inception of the professional league in 1993|Japan Soccer League|a detailed history of the J2 League|J2 League#History}}

===Before the professional league (pre-1992)===

Before the inception of the J.League, the highest level of club football was the [[Japan Soccer League]] (JSL), which consisted of amateur clubs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=107/edition=4735/news/newsid=101705.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213043252/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=107/edition=4735/news/newsid=101705.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |title=Football finds a home in Japan |publisher=FIFA.com |date=December 12, 2005 |access-date=December 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily/997-July-2010/5577-how-japan-created-a-successful-league |title=When Saturday Comes - How Japan created a successful league |publisher=Wsc.co.uk |date=July 18, 2010 |access-date=December 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809201118/http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily/997-July-2010/5577-how-japan-created-a-successful-league |archive-date=August 9, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Despite being well-attended during the boom of the late 1960s and early 1970s (when Japan's national team [[Football at the 1968 Summer Olympics|won the Olympic bronze medal]] at the [[1968 Summer Olympics|1968 games in Mexico]]), the JSL went into decline in the 1980s, in general line with the deteriorating situation worldwide. Fans were few, the grounds were not of the highest quality, and the Japan national team was not on a par with the other Asian powerhouses. To raise the level of play domestically, to attempt to garner more fans, and to strengthen the national team, the [[Japan Football Association]] (JFA) decided to form a professional league. During this era, Japanese football investors traveled exclusively to Europe to find a possible model; eventually, the Japanese embraced the model of Germany's [[Bundesliga]] to develop its own professional league.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1681906-the-german-bundesligas-importance-to-japanese-football|title = German Bundesliga, Japanese Football Share Mutually Beneficial Relationship|website = [[Bleacher Report]]|access-date = 2020-09-19|archive-date = 2021-01-30|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210130032112/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1681906-the-german-bundesligas-importance-to-japanese-football|url-status = live}}</ref>

The professional association football league, J.League was formed in 1992, with eight clubs drawn from the JSL First Division, one from the Second Division, and the newly formed [[Shimizu S-Pulse]]. At the same time, JSL changed its name to [[Japan Football League (former)|Japan Football League]], becoming a semi-professional league. Although the J.League did not officially launch until 1993, the [[J. League Cup|Yamazaki Nabisco Cup]] competition was held between the ten clubs in 1992 to prepare for the inaugural season.

===Inaugural season and J.League boom (1993–1995)=== J.League officially kicked off its first season with ten clubs on 15 May 1993, when [[Tokyo Verdy|Verdy Kawasaki]] hosted [[Yokohama F. Marinos|Yokohama Marinos]] at the [[National Stadium (Tokyo, 1958)|Tokyo National Stadium]].

===After the boom (1996–1999)=== Despite the success in the first three years, in early 1996 the league attendance declined rapidly, coincided with the [[Lost Decade (Japan)|economic slump of Japan]]. In 1997, the average attendance was 10,131, compared to more than 19,000 in 1994. [[Yokohama Flügels]] were merged with Yokohama Marinos due to the withdrawal of one of their major sponsors, right after they became the winners of the [[1998 Emperor's Cup]] on 1 January 1999.

===Change of infrastructure and game formats (1999–2004)=== {{Main|J2 League}} The league's management realized that they were heading in the wrong direction. In order to solve the problem, the management came out with two solutions.

First, they announced the J.League Hundred Year Vision, in which they aim to make 100 professional association football clubs in the nation of Japan by 2092, which would be the hundredth season. The league also encouraged the clubs to promote football or non-football related sports and health activities, to acquire local sponsorships, and to build good relationships with their hometowns at the grass-root level. The league believed that this would allow the clubs to bond with their respective cities and towns and get support from local government, companies, and citizens. In other words, clubs would be able to rely on the locals, rather than major national sponsors.

Second, the infrastructure of the league was heavily changed in 1999. The league acquired nine clubs from the semi-professional [[Japan Football League (former)|JFL]] and one club from J. League to create a two-division system. The top flight became the J.League Division 1 (J1) with 16 clubs while J.League Division 2 (J2) was launched with ten clubs in 1999. The second-tier [[Japan Football League (former)]], now became third-tier [[Japan Football League]].

Also, until 2004 (with the exception of [[1996 J.League|1996 season]]), the J1 season was [[Apertura and Clausura|divided into two]]. At the end of each full season, the champion from each half played a [[J.League Championship|two-legged series]] to determine the overall season winner and runners-up. [[Júbilo Iwata]] in 2002, and [[Yokohama F. Marinos|Yokohama F. Marinos]] in 2003, won both "halves" of the respective seasons, thus eliminating the need for the playoff series. This was the part of the reason the league abolished the split-season system starting from 2005.

===European League Format & AFC Champions League (2005–2008)=== Since the [[2005 J.League Division 1|2005 season]], J.League Division 1 consisted of 18 clubs (from 16 in 2004) and the season format became similar to the European club football. The number of relegated clubs also increased from 2 to 2.5, with the third-from-bottom club going into [[J.League Promotion / relegation Series|Promotion / relegation Series]] with the third-placed J2 club. Since then, other than minor adjustments, the top flight has stayed consistent.

Japanese teams did not treat the Asian Champions League that seriously in the early years, in part due to the distances travelled and teams played. However, in the 2008 Champions League, three Japanese sides made the quarter-finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/14/asia/2008/08/11/813727/asian-debate-is-japan-becoming-asias-leader|title=Asian Debate: Is Japan Becoming Asia's Leader?|last=John Duerden|date=August 11, 2008|publisher=Goal.com|access-date=August 19, 2012|archive-date=January 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121030930/http://www.goal.com/en/news/14/asia/2008/08/11/813727/asian-debate-is-japan-becoming-asias-leader|url-status=live}}</ref>

However, in the recent years, with the inclusion of the [[A-League]] in Eastern Asia, the introduction of [[FIFA Club World Cup]], and increased marketability in the Asian continent, both the league and the clubs paid more attention to Asian competition. For example, [[Kawasaki Frontale]] built up a notable fan base in [[Hong Kong]], owing to their participation in the AFC Champions League during the [[2007 AFC Champions League|2007 season]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nikkansports.com/soccer/news/p-sc-tp0-20080308-332738.html | script-title=ja:川崎Ｆが香港でブレーク中、生中継で火 | language=ja | publisher=NikkanSports | date=March 8, 2008 | access-date=March 8, 2008 | archive-date=March 12, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312102039/http://www.nikkansports.com/soccer/news/p-sc-tp0-20080308-332738.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Continuous effort led to the success of [[Urawa Red Diamonds]] in 2007 and [[Gamba Osaka]] in 2008. Thanks to excellent league management and competitiveness in Asian competition, the AFC awarded J.League the highest league ranking and a total of four slots starting from the [[2009 AFC Champions League|2009 season]]. The league took this as an opportunity to sell TV broadcasting rights to foreign countries, especially in Asia.

Also starting the 2008 season, Emperor's Cup Winner was allowed to participate in the upcoming Champions League season, rather than waiting a whole year (i.e. [[2005 Emperor's Cup]] winner, [[Tokyo Verdy]], participated in the 2007 ACL season, instead of the 2006 season). In order to fix this one-year lag issue, the [[2007 Emperor's Cup]] winner, [[Kashima Antlers]]' turn was waived. Nonetheless, Kashima Antlers ended up participating in the 2009 ACL season by winning the J.League title in the [[2008 J.League Division 1|2008 season]].

===Modern phase (2009–2014)=== Three major changes were seen starting in the [[2009 J.League Division 1|2009 season]]. First, starting that season, four clubs entered the AFC Champions League. Secondly, the number of relegation slots increased to three. Finally, the AFC Player slot was implemented starting this season. Each club will be allowed to have a total of four foreign players; however, one slot is reserved for a player that derives from an AFC country other than Japan. Also, as a requirement of being a member of the [[Asian Football Confederation]], the J.League Club License regulations started in 2012 as one criterion of whether a club was allowed to stay in its division or to be promoted to a higher tier in the professional level league. No major changes happened to J.League Division 1 as the number of clubs stayed at 18.

===Three-stage system (2015–present)=== From 2015 the J.League system changed to a three-stage system. The year is split into first and second league stages, followed by a third and final championship stage. The third stage is composed of stage one and two's total point champions and up to four other teams. These additional four teams consist of the following: Stage one and stage two's top point accumulator, and stage one and two's second placed points accumulator. These five teams then take part in a championship playoff stage to decide the winner of the league trophy.

In 2017, the single-table format returned due to a negative reaction from hardcore fans and a failure to appeal to casual fans.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Promotion and relegation between J3 and the JFL began in the 2023 season.<ref>{{cite press release |date=January 6, 2023 |title=Promotion and Relegation between J3 and JFL from 2023 Season |url=https://aboutj.jleague.jp/corporate/en/release/promotion-and-relegation-between-j3-and-jfl-from-2023-season/ |publisher=J.League |access-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-date=January 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106095846/https://aboutj.jleague.jp/corporate/en/release/promotion-and-relegation-between-j3-and-jfl-from-2023-season/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The J.League will transition to a fall–spring calendar beginning in the 2026–27 season to align with European competitions and the Asian Champions League as well as avoid summer matches and conflicts with international tournaments. The change was approved on December 19, 2023, following a vote of the 60 J.League clubs.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 20, 2023 |title=J. League board approves August start to season from 2026 |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2023/12/20/soccer/j-league/j-league-calendar-change/ |work=[[The Japan Times]] |agency=Kyodo News |access-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220075237/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2023/12/20/soccer/j-league/j-league-calendar-change/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Timeline=== {|class="wikitable" |- !Year !Important events !# J clubs (J1/J2/J3) !# ACL clubs !{{Tooltip|Rel. slots (J1/J2)|Number of relegation slots}} |- |1989 | *[[Japan Football Association|JFA]] forms a professional league assessment committee. | | | |- |1990 | *The committee decides the criteria for professional clubs *Fifteen to twenty clubs from [[Japan Soccer League]] applies for the professional league membership | | | |- |1991 | | | | |- |1992 | *The professional league, J.League is formed with the following 10 clubs: **'''[[Gamba Osaka]]''', '''[[JEF United Chiba|JEF United Ichihara]]''', '''[[Nagoya Grampus|Nagoya Grampus Eight]]''', '''[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]''', '''[[Urawa Red Diamonds]]''', '''[[Tokyo Verdy|Verdy Kawasaki]]''', '''[[Yokohama Flügels]]''', and '''[[Yokohama F. Marinos|Yokohama Marinos]]''' (pre-existing from the old JSL First Division) **'''[[Kashima Antlers]]''' (promoted from the old Second Division) **'''[[Shimizu S-Pulse]]''' (newly formed, non-company club). *[[Japan Soccer League]] becomes second-tier [[Japan Football League (1992–1998)|Japan Football League (former)]] *J.League hosts the first [[J.League Cup|domestic league cup competition]] with the ten clubs | | | |- |1993 | *The J.League officially kicks off its first season |10 | | |- |1994 | *Following clubs are promoted from Japan Football League: '''[[Júbilo Iwata]]''' and '''[[Shonan Bellmare|Bellmare Hiratsuka]]''' |12 | | |- |1995 | *Following clubs are promoted from Japan Football League: '''[[Cerezo Osaka]]''' and '''[[Kashiwa Reysol]]''' *The points system is introduced for the first time: a club receives 3 pts for any win, 1 pts for PK loss, and 0 pts for regulation or extra time loss. |14 | | |- |1996 | *Following clubs are promoted from Japan Football League: '''[[Kyoto Sanga FC|Kyoto Purple Sanga]]''' and '''[[Avispa Fukuoka]]''' *The league adopts single season format *J.League average attendance hits the record low 10,131 |16 | | |- |1997 | *Following club is promoted from Japan Football League: '''[[Vissel Kobe]]''' *The league goes back to split-season format *The points system changes: a club receives 3 pts for the regulation win, 2 pts for extra-time win, 1 pt for PK win, and 0 pts for any loss. |17 | | |- |1998 | *Following club is promoted from Japan Football League: '''[[Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo|Consadole Sapporo]]''' *'''Yokohama Flügels''' announce that they will be dissolved into crosstown rivals '''Yokohama Marinos''' for the 1999 season *The league announces the J.League Hundred Year Vision *The league announces incorporation of two-division system for the 1999 season *The league hosts J.League Promotion Tournament to decide to promote and/or relegate clubs. As a result, '''Consadole Sapporo''' becomes the first club be to relegated. |18 | | |- |1999 | *The J.League adopts two divisions, as nine clubs from the former [[Japan Football League (1992–98)|Japan Football League]] join Division 2, along with the relegated Consadole Sapporo: '''Montedio Yamagata''', '''Vegalta Sendai''', '''Omiya Ardija''', '''Kawasaki Frontale''', '''Ventforet Kofu''', '''Sagan Tosu''', '''FC Tokyo''', '''Albirex Niigata''', and '''Oita Trinita''' *Yokohama Marinos merge with Yokohama Flügels to become '''Yokohama F. Marinos''' *[[Penalty shootout (football)|Penalty kick shootouts]] are abolished in both divisions; however, golden goal extra-time rules stayed *The points system changes: a club receives 3 pts for a regulation win, 2 pts for an extra time win, and 1 pt for a tie *[[Japan Football League (1992–1998)|Japan Football League (former)]] is also restructured, as it becomes the 3rd-tier [[Japan Football League]]. :Note: To distinguish between the former and the current JFL, the new JFL is pronounced ''Nihon Football League'' in Japanese. |16/10 | |2 |- |2000 | |16/11 | |2 |- |2001 | |16/12 | |2 |- |2002 | |16/12 |rowspan="2"|2 |2 |- |2003 | *[[Extra time]] is abolished in Division 1 and traditional 3–1–0 points system is adopted |16/12 |2 |- |2004 | *No automatic relegation this season, as the top flight expands to 18 clubs in the following season *Inception of the two-legged [[J.League Promotion / relegation Series|Promotion / relegation Series]] |16/12 |2 |0.5 |- |2005 | *J.League Division 1 expands to 18 clubs *J.League Division 1 adopts singles-season format |18/12 |2 |2.5 |- |2006 | *[[Away goals rule]] is adopted in [[Yamazaki Nabisco Cup]] and [[J.League Promotion / relegation Series|Promotion / relegation Series]] *The league forms J.League expansion committee *The league reintroduces [[J.League Associate Membership]] |18/13 |2 |2.5 |- |2007 | *J.League champion qualifies to the [[FIFA Club World Cup]] as the host for next two seasons :Note: If a Japanese club wins the [[AFC Champions League]], the host loses its right. *'''Urawa Red Diamonds''' becomes the first Japanese club to win the [[AFC Champions League]] since its rebranding in [[2002-03 AFC Champions League|2002]]. |18/13 |2 |2.5 |- |2008 | *'''Gamba Osaka''' wins the [[2008 AFC Champions League]], the second straight championship by a J.League club. |18/15 |2 + 1 |2.5 |- |2009 | *Four clubs enter AFC Champions League. *Implementation of a 4th foreign player slot, a.k.a. AFC player slot *[[J.League Promotion / relegation Series|Promotion / relegation Series]] is eliminated and 16th-place club is now relegated by default. |18/18 |4 |3 |- |2010 | |18/19 |4 |3 |- |2011 | *J.League champion qualifies to the [[FIFA Club World Cup]] as the host for next two seasons again |18/20 |4 |3 |- |2012 | |18/22 |4 |3/1 |- |2013 | |18/22 |4 |3/0.5 |- |2014 | *The J.League adopts three divisions, as the following clubs join Division 3: **'''Gainare Tottori''' (relegated from [[J2 League]]). **'''Blaublitz Akita''', '''Fukushima United''', '''Fujieda MYFC''', '''Nagano Parceiro''', '''FC Ryukyu''', '''SC Sagamihara''', '''YSCC Yokohama''', '''FC Machida Zelvia''', and '''Zweigen Kanazawa''' (pre-existing from [[Japan Football League]]). **'''Grulla Morioka''' (promoted directly from [[Japanese Regional Leagues]]' [[Tohoku Soccer League]]). *A J.League U-22 Selection is also included, composed of the best J1 and J2 youngsters to prepare them for the [[2016 Olympics]]. *The Japan Football League becomes the nationwide fourth tier, and first tier for amateur clubs. |18/22/12 |4 |3/1.5 |- |2015 | *J1 League goes back to split-season format |18/22/13 |3+1 |3/1.5 |- |2016 | *J.League champion qualifies to the [[FIFA Club World Cup]] as the host. *'''Kashima Antlers''' became the first Asian team to reach the FIFA Club World Cup final. |18/22/16 |3+1 |3/1.5 |- |2017 | *J1 League resumes single-season format |18/22/17 |3+1 |3/1 |- |2018 | *[[J.League Promotion / relegation Series|Promotion / relegation Series]] is established again. [[J.League Cup]] changes to a 20-team format. |18/22/17 |3+1 |2.5/2 |- |2019 | |18/22/18 |2+2 |2.5/2 |- |2020 |J.League is disrupted due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Japan]], thus relegation slots have been reduced |18/22/19 |2+2 |0/0 |- |2021 |J1 League expands to 20 teams and J3 contracts to 15, both for the 2021 season only |20/22/15 |3+1 → 4 |4/4 |- |2022 |J1 League reduced to 18 teams and J3 expands to 18 for 2022 season only |18/22/18 |3+1 |2.5/2 |}

{|class="wikitable" |- !Year !Important events !# J clubs (J1/J2/J3) !# ACL Elite clubs !# ACL Two clubs !{{Tooltip|Rel. slots (J1/J2/J3)|Number of relegation slots}} |- |2023 |J3 expands to 20 for 2023 season *relegation J3 to JFL will be introduced. *J1 expand and J2 reduce to 20 teams each in J. League from 2024. |align=center|18/22/20 |align=center|3+1 |align=center|- |align=center|1/2/0–2 |- |2024 |J1 expand return and J2 reduced to 20 teams since 2021 and 2011 respectively from 2024 season on. *The three divisions of the J. Leagues will consist of 20 teams for the 2024 season |align=center|20/20/20 |align=center|2+1 |align=center|1 |align=center|3/3/0–2 |}

== Stance in the Japanese football pyramid == {{Main|Japanese football league system}}

{|class="wikitable" style="float:right" |+2025 season |- !Level(s) !League(s)/Division(s) |- |align=center| '''I''' |'''[[J1 League]]''' ''20 clubs'' |- |align=center| '''II''' |'''[[J2 League]]''' ''20 clubs'' |- |align=center| '''III''' |'''[[J3 League]]''' ''20 clubs'' |}

Since the inception of the second division in 1999, promotion and relegation follow a pattern similar to the European leagues, where the two bottom clubs of J1 and the top two clubs of J2 are guaranteed to move. From the 2004 to 2008 season, the third-placed J2 club entered the [[J.League Promotion / relegation Series|Promotion / relegation Series]] against the sixteenth-placed J1 club and the winner had a right to play in the top flight in the following year. Starting on the 2009 season, the top three J2 clubs receives J1 promotion by default in place of three bottom J1 clubs. However, promotion or right to play the now-defunct pro/rel series relies on the J2 clubs meeting the requirements for J1 franchise status set by the league. This has generally not been a hindrance; in fact, no club has yet been denied promotion due to not meeting the J1 criteria.

Until the 2004 season, the J1 season was divided into [[Apertura and Clausura|two halves]], with an annual [[J.League Championship|championship series]] involving the champions from each half (with the exception of the 1996 season). However, from the 2005 season, the single-season format is adopted as the top flight was expanded to eighteen clubs. Currently, 18 clubs compete in double round robin, home and away. Starting on the 2008 season, the top three clubs, along with the Emperor's Cup winner receive [[AFC Champions League|ACL]] berths for the following season. If the [[Emperor's Cup]] winner happens to be one of the top three J1 finishers, the 4th-place club receives the final berth. Starting on the 2009 season, the bottom three clubs are relegated to Division 2 at the end of the year. The two-halves format returned in 2015 but was abandoned again after 2016.

Starting in 2012, Division 2 established promotion playoffs for the clubs ranked 3rd to 6th, in a manner similar to the [[EFL Championship]] in England, the [[Serie B]] in Italy and the [[Segunda División]] in Spain. However, the semifinals would be only one leg and all matches that ended in draws would enable the higher ranked club in the table to advance or be promoted.

In 2013 the J3 League was established and while its champion was promoted automatically, the runner-up had to play a promotion/relegation series until 2017. From 2018 to 2023 two clubs was promoted automatically. From 2024 onwards, Division 3 established promotion playoffs for the clubs ranked 3rd to 6th respectively and winner playoff entered third team promotion.

From 2023 onwards, J. League introduce promotion and relegation between J3 and JFL.

The three divisions of the J. League will consist of 20 teams from 2024 season.

== Crest ==

<gallery class="center"> Image:J.League.svg|{{nowrap|Non sponsored logo}} File:J.League (local).png|{{nowrap|This logo was used from 2015 to 2018}} Image:2019 J.League logo.png|{{nowrap|Japanese version logo}} </gallery>

== Clubs == === Membership requirements === The requirements for joining the J. League include items such as the stadium, management status and team management status. Regarding team management, not only the team itself that actually participates in the J. League game, but also the management obligation of the club youth team by the training organization (subordinate organization) are stipulated. From the 2013 season, the J. League club license system was launched and the system for judging whether or not to join the J.League and the division that can join was updated.

In addition since 2006, it has been decided to certify clubs that meet the criteria for joining the J. League after 2014, it will be called [[J. League 100 Year Plan club status]] instead.

=== List of member clubs === Club categories and listing order based on club composition for 2024 season.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.jleague.jp/news/article/24180/|title=2023 Jリーグクラブ編成|publisher=日本プロサッカーリーグ|date=2022-12-20|access-date=2022-12-21|archive-date=2022-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220225822/https://www.jleague.jp/news/article/24180/|url-status=live}}</ref> As for the home stadium, the stadium shown on the J. League corporate site as of 2024 is described.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aboutj.jleague.jp/corporate/stadium/list/|title=スタジアム情報一覧|website=日本プロサッカーリーグ（Jリーグ）組織・経営情報|access-date=2023-07-26|archive-date=2023-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606221038/https://aboutj.jleague.jp/corporate/stadium/list/|url-status=live}}</ref> Regarding the descriptions in multiple materials, based on the description of the club guide on the J. League official website, the stadium name was based on the naming rights (see the article of each stadium for the handling of naming rights)

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ !Area !!Club Name (Name) !!Activity area/Hometown (Home stadium) !League !Year Joined |- |align=center |[[Hokkaido]] |[[Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo]] |All roads centered on [[Sapporo]], [[Hokkaido]] ([[Sapporo Dome]], [[Toyohira-ku, Sapporo|Toyohira ward]], Sapporo) |J1 |1998 |- |rowspan="7" align=center |[[Tōhoku region|Tōhoku]] |[[Vanraure Hachinohe]] |[[Hachinohe]], [[Aomori Prefecture|Aomori]] ([[Prifoods Stadium]], Hachinohe) |J3 |2019 |- |[[Iwate Grulla Morioka]] |[[Morioka]], [[Iwate Prefecture|Iwate]] ([[Iwagin Stadium]], Morioka) |J3 |2014 |- |[[Vegalta Sendai]] |[[Sendai]], [[Miyagi Prefecture|Miyagi]] ([[Yurtec Stadium Sendai]], [[Izumi-ku, Sendai|Izumi Ward]], Sendai) |J2 |1999 |- |[[Blaublitz Akita]] |[[Akita (city)|Akita]], [[Akita Prefecture|Akita]] ([[Soyu Stadium]], Akita) |J2 |2014 |- |[[Montedio Yamagata]] |[[Tendo, Yamagata|Tendo]], [[Yamagata Prefecture|Yamagata]] ([[ND Soft Stadium]], Yamagata) |J2 |1999 |- |[[Fukushima United FC|Fukushima United]] |[[Fukushima, Fukushima|Fukushima]], [[Fukushima Prefecture|Fukushima]] ([[Toho Stadium]], Fukushima) |J3 |2014 |- |[[Iwaki FC]] |[[Iwaki, Fukushima|Iwaki]], Fukushima ([[J-Village Stadium]], Iwaki [[Iwaki Greenfield Stadium]], Iwaki) |J2 |2022 |- |rowspan="18" align=center |[[Kantō region|Kantō]] |[[Kashima Antlers]] |[[Kashima, Ibaraki|Kashima]], [[Ibaraki Prefecture|Ibaraki]] ([[Kashima Soccer Stadium]], Kashima) |J1 |1993 |- |[[Mito HollyHock]] |[[Mito, Ibaraki|Mito]], Ibaraki ([[K's denki Stadium Mito]], Mito) |J2 |2000 |- |[[Tochigi SC]] |[[Utsunomiya]], [[Tochigi Prefecture|Tochigi]] ([[Kanseki Stadium Tochigi]], Utsunomiya) |J2 |2009 |- |[[Thespa Gunma]] |[[Maebashi]], [[Gunma Prefecture|Gunma]] ([[Shoda Shoyu Stadium Gunma]], Maebashi) |J2 |2005 |- |[[Urawa Red Diamonds]] |[[Saitama (city)|Saitama]], [[Saitama Prefecture|Saitama]] ([[Saitama Stadium 2002]], Saitama) |J1 |1991 |- |[[Omiya Ardija]] |[[Ōmiya-ku, Saitama|Ōmiya]], [[Saitama Prefecture|Saitama]] ([[NACK5 Stadium Ōmiya]], Ōmiya) |J3 |1999 |- |[[JEF United Chiba]] |[[Chiba (city)|Chiba]], [[Chiba Prefecture|Chiba]] ([[Fukuda Denshi Arena]], Chiba) |J2 |1991 |- |[[Kashiwa Reysol]] |[[Kashiwa]], [[Chiba Prefecture|Chiba]] ([[Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium]], Kashiwa) |J1 |1995 |- |[[FC Tokyo]] |[[Chōfu]], [[Tokyo]] ([[Ajinomoto Stadium]], Chōfu) |J1 |1999 |- |[[Tokyo Verdy]] |[[Inagi]], [[Tokyo]] (Ajinomoto Stadium, Chōfu) |J1 |1991 |- |[[FC Machida Zelvia|Machida Zelvia]] |[[Machida, Tokyo|Machida]], [[Tokyo]] ([[Machida GION Stadium]], Machida) |J1 |2012 |- |[[Kawasaki Frontale]] |[[Kawasaki, Kanagawa|Kawasaki]], [[Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]] ([[Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium]], Kawasaki) |J1 |1991 |- |[[Yokohama F. Marinos]] |[[Yokohama]], Kanagawa ([[Nissan Stadium (Yokohama)|Nissan Stadium]], Yokohama) |J1 |1991 |- |[[Yokohama FC]] |Yokohama, Kanagawa ([[NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium|Mitsuzawa Stadium]], [[Kanagawa-ku]], Yokohama) |J2 |2001 |- |[[YSCC Yokohama]] |Yokohama, Kanagawa (Mitsuzawa Stadium, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama) |J2 |2014 |- |[[Shonan Bellmare]] |[[Hiratsuka]], Kanagawa ([[Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka]], Hiratsuka) |J1 |1994 |- |[[SC Sagamihara]] |[[Sagamihara]], Kanagawa ([[Sagamihara Gion Stadium]], Sagamihara) |J3 |2014 |- |[[Ventforet Kofu]] |[[Kōfu]], [[Yamanashi Prefecture|Yamanashi]] ([[JIT Recycle Ink Stadium]], Kōfu) |J2 |1999 |- |rowspan="5" align=center |[[Hokuriku region|Hokuriku]] and [[Shin'etsu region|Shin'etsu]] ↓ Hokushinetsu |[[Matsumoto Yamaga FC|Matsumoto Yamaga]] |[[Matsumoto, Nagano|Matsumoto]], [[Nagano Prefecture|Nagano]] ([[Sunpro Alwin]], Matsumoto) |J3 |2012 |- |[[AC Nagano Parceiro|Nagano Parceiro]] |[[Nagano (city)|Nagano]], Nagano ([[Nagano U Stadium]], Nagano) |J3 |2014 |- |[[Albirex Niigata]] |[[Niigata (city)|Niigata]], [[Niigata Prefecture|Niigata]] ([[Denka Big Swan Stadium]], Niigata) |J1 |1999 |- |[[Kataller Toyama]] |[[Toyama (city)|Toyama]], [[Toyama Prefecture|Toyama]] ([[Toyama Stadium]], Toyama) |J3 |2009 |- |[[Zweigen Kanazawa]] |[[Kanazawa]], [[Ishikawa Prefecture|Ishikawa]] ([[Ishikawa Athletics Stadium]], Kanazawa) |J3 |2014 |- |rowspan="6" align=center |[[Tōkai region|Tōkai]] |[[Shimizu S-Pulse]] |[[Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka|Shimizu-ku]], [[Shizuoka (city)|Shizuoka]], [[Shizuoka Prefecture|Shizuoka]] ([[IAI Stadium Nihondaira]], Shimizu) |J2 |1991 |- |[[Jubilo Iwata]] |[[Iwata, Shizuoka|Iwata]], [[Shizuoka Prefecture|Shizuoka]] ([[Yamaha Stadium]], Iwata) |J1 |1994 |- |[[Fujieda MYFC]] |[[Fujieda, Shizuoka|Fujieda]], [[Shizuoka Prefecture|Shizuoka]] ([[Fujieda Soccer Stadium]], Fujieda) |J2 |2014 |- |[[Azul Claro Numazu]] | [[Numazu, Shizuoka|Numazu]], [[Shizuoka Prefecture|Shizuoka]] ([[Shizuoka Ashitaka Athletic Stadium]], Numazu) |J3 |2017 |- |[[Nagoya Grampus]] |[[Nagoya]], [[Aichi Prefecture|Aichi]] ([[Paloma Mizuho Stadium]], Nagoya [[Toyota Stadium (Japan)|Toyota Stadium]], [[Toyota, Aichi|Toyota]]) |J1 |1991 |- |[[FC Gifu]] |[[Gifu, Gifu|Gifu]], [[Gifu Prefecture|Gifu]] ([[Gifu Nagaragawa Stadium]], Gifu) |J3 |2008 |- |rowspan="6" align=center |[[Kansai region|Kansai]] |[[Kyoto Sanga FC|Kyoto Sanga]] |[[Kyoto]], [[Kyoto Prefecture|Kyoto]] ([[Sanga Stadium by Kyocera]], [[Kameoka, Kyoto|Kameoka]]) |J1 |1996 |- |[[Gamba Osaka]] |[[Suita]], [[Osaka Prefecture|Osaka]] ([[Panasonic Stadium Suita]], Suita) |J1 |1991 |- |[[Cerezo Osaka]] |[[Osaka]], Osaka ([[Nagai Stadium|Yanmar Stadium Nagai]], Osaka [[Yodoko Sakura Stadium]], [[Nagai Park]], [[Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka|Higashisumiyoshi ward]], Osaka) |J1 |1995 |- |[[FC Osaka]] |[[Higashiōsaka, Osaka|Higashiōsaka]], Osaka (J-Green Sakai Main Field, [[Hattori Ryokuchi Park]], [[Toyonaka]], Osaka [[Hanazono Rugby Stadium]], Higashiōsaka) |J3 |2023 |- |[[Vissel Kobe]] |[[Kobe]], [[Hyōgo Prefecture|Hyōgo]] ([[Noevir Stadium Kobe]], Kobe) |J1 |1997 |- |[[Nara Club]] |[[Nara, Nara|Nara]], [[Nara Prefecture|Nara]] ([[Rohto Field Nara]], Nara) |J3 |2023 |- |rowspan="4" align=center |[[Chūgoku region|Chūgoku]] |[[Gainare Tottori]] |[[Tottori (city)|Tottori]], [[Tottori Prefecture|Tottori]] ([[Axis Bird Stadium]], Tottori) |J3 |2011 |- |[[Fagiano Okayama]] |[[Okayama]], [[Okayama Prefecture|Okayama]] ([[City Light Stadium]], Okayama) |J2 |2009 |- |[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] |[[Hiroshima]], [[Hiroshima Prefecture|Hiroshima]] ([[Edion Stadium Hiroshima]], [[Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima|Asaminami Ward]]) |J1 |1991 |- |[[Renofa Yamaguchi FC|Renofa Yamaguchi]] |[[Yamaguchi (city)|Yamaguchi]], [[Yamaguchi Prefecture|Yamaguchi]] ([[Ishin Me-Life Stadium]], Yamaguchi) |J2 |2015 |- |rowspan="4" align=center |[[Shikoku region|Shikoku]] |[[Kamatamare Sanuki]] |[[Takamatsu]], [[Kagawa Prefecture|Kagawa]] ([[Pikara Stadium]], [[Marugame, Kagawa|Marugame]]) |J3 |2014 |- |[[Tokushima Vortis]] |[[Tokushima (city)|Tokushima]], [[Tokushima Prefecture|Tokushima]] ([[Pocarisweat Stadium]], [[Naruto, Tokushima|Naruto]]) |J2 |2005 |- |[[Ehime FC]] |[[Matsuyama]], [[Ehime Prefecture|Ehime]] ([[Ningineer Stadium]], Matsuyama) |J2 |2006 |- |[[FC Imabari]] |[[Imabari, Ehime|Imabari]], Ehime ([[ASICS Satoyama Stadium]], Imabari) |J3 |2020 |- |rowspan="9" align=center |[[Kyushu region|Kyushu]] |[[Avispa Fukuoka]] |[[Fukuoka]], [[Fukuoka Prefecture|Fukuoka]] ([[Best Denki Stadium]], [[Hakata-ku, Fukuoka|Hakata ward]]) |J1 |1996 |- |[[Giravanz Kitakyushu]] |[[Kitakyushu, Fukuoka|Kitakyushu]], Fukuoka ([[Mikuni World Stadium Kitakyushu]], [[Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyūshū|Kokurakita Ward]]) |J3 |2010 |- |[[Sagan Tosu]] |[[Tosu, Saga|Tosu]], [[Saga Prefecture|Saga]] ([[Ekimae Real Estate Stadium]], Tosu) |J1 |1999 |- |[[V-Varen Nagasaki]] |[[Nagasaki]], [[Nagasaki Prefecture|Nagasaki]] ([[Transcosmos Stadium Nagasaki]], [[Isahaya, Nagasaki|Isahaya]]) |J2 |2013 |- |[[Roasso Kumamoto]] |[[Kumamoto]], [[Kumamoto Prefecture|Kumamoto]] ([[Egao Kenko Stadium]], [[Higashi-ku, Kumamoto|Higashi Ward]]) |J2 |2008 |- |[[Oita Trinita]] |[[Oita (city)|Oita]], [[Oita Prefecture|Oita]] ([[Resonac Dome Oita]], Oita) |J2 |1999 |- |[[Tegevajaro Miyazaki]] |[[Miyazaki (city)|Miyazaki]], [[Miyazaki Prefecture|Miyazaki]] ([[Unilever Stadium Shintomi]], [[Shintomi, Miyazaki|Shintomi]]) |J3 |2021 |- |[[Kagoshima United FC|Kagoshima United]] |[[Kagoshima]], [[Kagoshima Prefecture|Kagoshima]] ([[Shiranami Stadium]], Kagoshima) |J2 |2016 |- |[[FC Ryukyu]] |[[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] ([[Tapic Kenso Hiyagon Stadium]], [[Okinawa, Okinawa|Okinawa]]) |J3 |2014 |}

=== Clubs with J3 licenses === Clubs that have not joined the J. League but have been granted a J3 license for the 2023 season (including the J. League 100 year concept club).

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ !Area !!Club Name (Name) !!Activity area/Hometown (Home stadium) !League !Year Approval !Year Withdrawal |- |[[Tohoku region|Tohoku]] |[[ReinMeer Aomori]] |[[Aomori]], [[Aomori Prefecture]] (New Aomori Prefecture General Sports Park) |rowspan="4"|[[Japan Football League|JFL]] |2019 |rowspan="4"|2023 |- |[[Tokai region|Tokai]] |[[Veertien Mie]] |[[Kuwana, Mie|Kuwana]], [[Mie Prefecture]] (Toin Stadium, Yokkaichi Central Greenery Stadium) |2019 |- |[[Shikoku region|Shikoku]] |[[Kochi United SC|Kochi United]] |[[Kōchi, Kōchi|Kōchi]], [[Kōchi Prefecture]] (Kochi Haruno Athletic Stadium) |2019 |- |[[Kyushu region|Kyushu]] |[[Verspah Oita]] |[[Ōita (city)|Ōita]], [[Ōita Prefecture]] (Ōita Sports Park) |2019 |}

=== J.League 100 Year Plan Club === The home stadium is at the time of approval of the 100-year plan club and at the time of J3 admission examination in 2020 Based on the official J. League release.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.jleague.jp/release/post-57826/|title=Jリーグ百年構想クラブ審査結果について|publisher=日本プロサッカーリーグ|date=2019-02-19|access-date=2020-11-17|archive-date=2021-05-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512023334/https://www.jleague.jp/release/post-57826/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.jleague.jp/release/post-65160/|title=Jリーグ入会審査 (J3) 結果について|publisher=日本プロサッカーリーグ|date=2019-11-17|access-date=2020-11-17|archive-date=2020-11-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117083555/https://www.jleague.jp/release/post-65160/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ !Area !!Club Name (Name) !!Activity area/Hometown (Home stadium) !League !Year Approval |- |rowspan="5" align=center |[[Kantō region|Kantō]] |[[Tochigi City FC]] |[[Tochigi (city)|Tochigi]], [[Tochigi Prefecture|Tochigi]] (City Football Station, Tochigi) |rowspan="4"|[[Kantō Soccer League]] Div. 1 |2014 |- |[[Vonds Ichihara]] |[[Ichihara, Chiba|Ichihara]], [[Chiba Prefecture|Chiba]] ([[Ichihara Seaside Stadium]], Ichihara) |rowspan="2"|2020 |- |[[Nankatsu SC]] |[[Katsushika]], [[Tokyo]] (Okudo Sports Center Park, Katsushika) |- |[[Tokyo 23 FC]] |[[Special wards of Tokyo]] ([[Edogawa Stadium]], [[Edogawa, Tokyo|Edogawa]]) |2022 |- |[[Criacao Shinjuku]] |[[Shinjuku]], Tokyo (AGF Field, Tokyo) |[[Japan Football League|JFL]] |2021 |}

=== Former clubs that were regular members of the J.League === {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ !Club Name (Name) !Activity area/Hometown (Home stadium) !Year |- |[[Yokohama Flügels]] |[[Yokohama]], [[Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]] ([[NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium|Mitsuzawa Stadium]], Yokohama) |1991–1998 |}

=== Clubs that were former J.League associate members, associate members and Centennial Clubs === {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ !Club Name (Name) !!Activity area/Hometown (Home stadium) !Year |- |[[Tosu Futures]] |[[Tosu, Saga|Tosu]], [[Saga Prefecture|Saga]] ([[Ekimae Real Estate Stadium]], Tosu) |1994–1996 |- |Hamamatsu FC |[[Hamamatsu]], [[Shizuoka Prefecture|Shizuoka]] ([[Honda Miyakoda Soccer Stadium]], [[Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu|Hamana Ward]]) |1997 |- |[[Tonan Maebashi]] |[[Maebashi]], [[Gunma Prefecture|Gunma]] ([[Maebashi Athletic Stadium]], Maebashi) |2013–2019 |- |[[Tokyo Musashino City FC]] |[[Musashino, Tokyo|Musashino]], [[Tokyo]] ([[Musashino Municipal Athletic Stadium]], Musashino) |2016–2020 |- |[[Suzuka Point Getters]] |[[Suzuka, Mie|Suzuka]], [[Mie Prefecture|Mie]] ([[Mie Suzuka Sports Garden]], Mie) |2021–2022 |- |[[Cobaltore Onagawa]] |[[Onagawa, Miyagi|Onagawa]], [[Miyagi Prefecture|Miyagi]] Onagawa Town Comprehensive Athletic Park, Onagawa |2022 |- |[[Okinawa SV]] |[[Tomigusuku, Okinawa|Tomigusuku]] and [[Uruma]], [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] (''various'' in Okinawa) |2022–2023 |}

== Champions == {{see also|List of Japanese football champions|List of winners of J2 League and predecessors|List of winners of J3 League and predecessors}} {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! J1 Champions ! J2 Champions ! J3 Champions |- |{{center| [[1993 in Japanese football|1993]]}} || [[Tokyo Verdy|Verdy Kawasaki]] ||rowspan="6" align="center"|(Old [[Japan Football League (1992–98)|JFL]]) ||align="center"|(Old [[Japan Football League (1992–98)|JFL]] Div. 2) |- |{{center| [[1994 in Japanese football|1994]]}} || [[Tokyo Verdy|Verdy Kawasaki]] ||rowspan="5" align="center"|No national third tier |- |{{center| [[1995 in Japanese football|1995]]}} || [[Yokohama F. Marinos|Yokohama Marinos]] |- |{{center| [[1996 in Japanese football|1996]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] |- |{{center| [[1997 in Japanese football|1997]]}} || [[Júbilo Iwata]] |- |{{center| [[1998 in Japanese football|1998]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] |- |{{center| [[1999 in Japanese football|1999]]}} || [[Júbilo Iwata]] || [[Kawasaki Frontale]] ||rowspan="15" align="center|(New [[Japan Football League|JFL]]) |- |{{center| [[2000 in Japanese football|2000]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] || [[Consadole Sapporo]] |- |{{center| [[2001 in Japanese football|2001]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] || [[Kyoto Purple Sanga]] |- |{{center| [[2002 in Japanese football|2002]]}} || [[Júbilo Iwata]] || [[Oita Trinita]] |- |{{center| [[2003 in Japanese football|2003]]}} || [[Yokohama F. Marinos]] || [[Albirex Niigata]] |- |{{center| [[2004 in Japanese football|2004]]}} || [[Yokohama F. Marinos]] || [[Kawasaki Frontale]] |- |{{center| [[2005 in Japanese football|2005]]}} || [[Gamba Osaka]] || [[Kyoto Purple Sanga]] |- |{{center| [[2006 in Japanese football|2006]]}} || [[Urawa Red Diamonds]] || [[Yokohama FC]] |- |{{center| [[2007 in Japanese football|2007]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] || [[Consadole Sapporo]] |- |{{center| [[2008 in Japanese football|2008]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] || [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] |- |{{center| [[2009 in Japanese football|2009]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] || [[Vegalta Sendai]] |- |{{center| [[2010 in Japanese football|2010]]}} || [[Nagoya Grampus]] || [[Kashiwa Reysol]] |- |{{center| [[2011 in Japanese football|2011]]}} || [[Kashiwa Reysol]] || [[FC Tokyo]] |- |{{center| [[2012 in Japanese football|2012]]}} || [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] || [[Ventforet Kofu]] |- |{{center| [[2013 in Japanese football|2013]]}} || [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] || [[Gamba Osaka]] |- |{{center| [[2014 in Japanese football|2014]]}} || [[Gamba Osaka]] || [[Shonan Bellmare]] || [[Zweigen Kanazawa]] |- |{{center| [[2015 in Japanese football|2015]]}} || [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] || [[Omiya Ardija]] || [[Renofa Yamaguchi]] |- |{{center| [[2016 in Japanese football|2016]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] || [[Consadole Sapporo]] || [[Oita Trinita]] |- |{{center| [[2017 in Japanese football|2017]]}} || [[Kawasaki Frontale]] || [[Shonan Bellmare]] || [[Blaublitz Akita]] |- |{{center| [[2018 in Japanese football|2018]]}} || [[Kawasaki Frontale]] || [[Matsumoto Yamaga]] || [[FC Ryukyu]] |- |{{center| [[2019 in Japanese football|2019]]}} || [[Yokohama F. Marinos]] || [[Kashiwa Reysol]] || [[Giravanz Kitakyushu]] |- |{{center| [[2020 in Japanese football|2020]]}} || [[Kawasaki Frontale]] || [[Tokushima Vortis]] || [[Blaublitz Akita]] |- |{{center| [[2021 in Japanese football|2021]]}} || [[Kawasaki Frontale]] || [[Júbilo Iwata]] || [[Roasso Kumamoto]] |- |{{center| [[2022 in Japanese football|2022]]}} || [[Yokohama F. Marinos]] || [[Albirex Niigata]] || [[Iwaki FC]] |- |{{center| [[2023 in Japanese football|2023]]}} || [[Vissel Kobe]] || [[FC Machida Zelvia|Machida Zelvia]] || [[Ehime FC]] |- |{{center| [[2024 in Japanese football|2024]]}} || [[Vissel Kobe]] || [[Shimizu S-Pulse]] || [[Omiya Ardija]] |- |{{center| [[2025 in Japanese football|2025]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] || [[Mito HollyHock]] || [[Tochigi City FC|Tochigi City]] |}

== Promotion and relegation == === Changes in the number of clubs promotion and relegation system ===

J1 Entry playoffs have been introduced from 2018, 2019 and 2022 respectively. Relegation from J1 to J2 introduced from 1999, J2 to J3 introduced from 2013 and J3 to JFL introduced from 2023. J1 Promotion playoff introduce from 2012 to 2017, reintroduced in 2023 onwards and J2 Promotion playoff to be introduce start from 2024.

In 1998, the J1 entry decision match was held. From 1999, a replacement system was introduced with the transition to a two-part system of J1 and J2. Since 2012, a replacement system has been introduced between J2 and the lower league ([[Japan Football League]] (JFL) in 2012, J3 after the 2013 postseason).

* Until the introduction of the J.League club license system in 2012, if a J2 club that obtained the right to be promoted to J1 through the examination by the J.League did not meet J1 standards, the promotion to J1 would be revoked, and the relegation to J2 from the 16th place in J1 would also be revoked. could have been used, but there have been no cases in which it has actually been applied. * If a club that has received a loan from the official match stable holding fund cannot repay it by the repayment date, the club belonging to J1 will be demoted to J2 even if it is in the order to remain in J1, and the club belonging to J2 will be promoted to J1. However, the promotion will be postponed. It is unknown whether promotion will be postponed even if it is a rank that can be promoted to J2 in the clubs belonging to J3. However, at the end of the 2021 season, the only cases in which this system could have been applied in the past were Oita in 2013. * After the 2012 postseason (entry in 2013), in order to enter the J1, J2 and J3 leagues, it is necessary to obtain a license for that league or higher under the club license system. * If the number of matches that have been completed does not reach 75% of the total number of matches scheduled for the year in the J1/J2/J3 league, or if the number of matches in the category to which one belongs falls short of 50% of the total number of matches scheduled for that year. If there is a club that does not exist, the tournament will be disqualified and no promotion or relegation will take place.

{| class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2"|Year ! rowspan="2"|Teams ! colspan="2"|J1 ! align=center|JFL ! rowspan="2"|Remarks |- ! Number !! JFL Relegation ! J League Entry |- |1993 |align=center|'''10''' |align=center|10 |rowspan="5" align=center|No Relegation |[[Shonan Bellmare|Hiratsuka]] [[Jubilo Iwata|Iwata]] |rowspan="5" align=center|Old [[Japan Football League (1992–1998)|JFL]] |- |1994 |align=center|'''12''' |align=center|12 |[[Cerezo Osaka|C Osaka]] [[Kashiwa Reysol|Kashiwa]] |- |1995 |align=center|'''14''' |align=center|14 |[[Avispa Fukuoka|Fukuoka]] [[Kyoto Sanga FC|Kyoto]] |- |1996 |align=center|'''16''' |align=center|16 |[[Vissel Kobe|Kobe]] |- |1997 |align=center|'''17''' |align=center|17 |[[Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo|Sapporo]] |- |}

{| class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2"|Year ! rowspan="2"|Teams ! colspan="2"|J1 ! colspan="3"|J2 ! align=center|JFL ! rowspan="2"|Remarks |- ! Number !! J2 Relegation ! J1 Promotion !! Number !! JFL Relegation ! J League Entry |- |1998 |align=center|'''18''' |align=center|18 |Sapporo |colspan="3" align=center|— |9 clubs from old JFL<ref group="nb">9 clubs: Vegalta Sendai, Montedio Yamagata, Omiya Ardija, FC Tokyo, Kawasaki Frontale, Ventforet Kofu, Albirex Niigata, Sagan Tosu and Oita Trinita.</ref> |align=center|J1 Entry playoff introduced |- |1999 |align=center|'''26''' |rowspan="6" align=center|16 |Urawa Red Diamonds Hiratsuka |Kawasaki Frontale FC Tokyo |10 |rowspan="13" align=center|No Relegation |Mito HollyHock |rowspan="5" align=center|2 teams automatically relegation from J1 to J2 |- |2000 |align=center|'''27''' |Kyoto Kawasaki |Sapporo Urawa |align=center|11 |Yokohama FC |- |2001 |rowspan="4" align=center|'''28''' |Fukuoka C Osaka |Kyoto Sendai |rowspan="5" align=center|12 |rowspan="3" align=center|— |- |2002 |Sanfrecce Hiroshima Sapporo |Oita Trinita Cerazo Osaka |- |2003 |Sendai Kyoto |Albirex Niigata Hiroshima |- |2004 |align=center|None |Kawasaki Omiya |Tokushima Vortis Thespa Gunma |align=center|J1-J2 Entry Playoffs to be introduced |- |2005 |align=center|'''30''' |rowspan="8" align=center|18 |Kashiwa† Tokyo Verdy Kobe |Kyoto Fukuoka Kofu† |Ehime FC |rowspan="4" align=center|Automatic replacement 2 clubs to J2 + J1/J2 playoff match |- |2006 |rowspan="2" align=center|'''31''' |Fukuoka† C Osaka Kyoto |Yokohama FC Kashiwa Kobe† |rowspan="2" align=center|13 |align=center|— |- |2007 |Hiroshima† Kofu Yokohama FC |Sapporo Tokyo Verdy Kyoto† |Roasso Kumamoto FC Gifu |- |2008 |align=center|'''33''' |Tokyo Verdy Sapporo |Hiroshima Montedio Yamagata |align=center|15 |Tochigi SC Kataller Toyama Fagiano Okayama |- |2009 |align=center|'''36''' |Kashiwa Oita JEF United Chiba |Sendai C Osaka Shonan |align=center|18 |Giravanz Kitakyushu |rowspan="3" align=center|Automatic replacement 3 clubs to J2 |- |2010 |align=center|'''37''' |FC Tokyo Kyoto Shonan |Kashiwa Kofu Fukuoka |align=center|19 |Gainare Tottori |- |2011 |align=center|'''38''' |Kofu Fukuoka Yamagata |FC Tokyo Sagan Tosu Sapporo |align=center|20 |FC Machida Zelvia Matsumoto Yamaga FC |2012 |align=center|'''40''' |Kobe Gamba Osaka Sapporo |Kofu Shonan Oita |align=center|22 |Machida |V-Varen Nagasaki |align=center|J1 promotion playoff start from 2013 |}

{| class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2"|Year ! rowspan="2"|Teams ! colspan="2"|J1 ! colspan="3"|J2 ! colspan="3"|J3 ! align=center|JFL ! rowspan="2"|Remarks |- ! Number !! J2 Relegation ! J1 Promotion !! Number !! J3 Relegation ! J2 Promotion !! Number !! JFL Relegation ! J League Entry |- |2013 |align=center|'''40''' |rowspan="8" align=center|18 |Shonan Iwata Oita |G Osaka Kobe Tokushima |rowspan="11" align=center|22 |Tottori |colspan="3" align=center|— |[[Kamatamare Sanuki|Sanuki]] 10 clubs from New [[Japan Football League|JFL]]<ref group="nb">9 clubs from the New JFL: [[Blaublitz Akita|Akita]], [[Fukushima United FC|Fukushima]], Machida, [[SC Sagamihara|Sagamihara]], [[YSCC Yokohama|YS Yokohama]], [[AC Nagano Parceiro|Nagano]], [[Zweigen Kanazawa|Kanazawa]], [[Fujieda MYFC|Fujieda]], [[FC Ryukyu|Ryukyu]] and one club from the [[Japanese Regional Leagues]], [[Iwate Grulla Morioka|Morioka]] (part of [[Tohoku Soccer League]]).</ref> |Sanuki is the result of the J2-JFL exchange match, 10 clubs enter J3 from JFL, that club automatically promotion from JFL to J2 from 2014 |- |2014 |align=center|'''51''' |Omiya C Osaka Tokushima |Shonan Matsumoto Yamagata |Toyama |[[Zweigen Kanazawa|Kanazawa]] |align=center|12 |rowspan="9" align=center|No Relegation |[[Renofa Yamaguchi FC|Yamaguchi]] |align=center|Introduction of J2-J3 replacement games |- |2015 |align=center|'''52''' |Matsumoto Shimizu Yamagata |Omiya Iwata Fukuoka |Oita† Tochigi |[[Renofa Yamaguchi FC|Yamaguchi]] Machida† |align=center|13 |[[Kagoshima United FC|Kagoshima]] |rowspan="2" align=center|None |- |2016 |align=center|'''53''' |Nagoya Shonan Fukuoka |Sapporo Shimizu C Osaka |Kitakyushu |Oita |align=center|16 |[[Azul Claro Numazu|Numazu]] |- |2017 |rowspan="2" align=center|'''54''' |Kofu Niigata Omiya |Shonan Nagasaki Nagoya |Gunma |Tochigi |rowspan="2" align=center|17 |align=center|— |align=center|J2-J3 replacement games has been abolished in 2017 |- |2018 |Kashiwa Nagasaki |Matsumoto Oita |Kumamoto Sanuki |Ryukyu Kagoshima |[[Vanraure Hachinohe|Hachinohe]] |align=center|J1 entry playoff start for 2018 |- |2019 |align=center|'''55''' |Matsumoto Iwata |Kashiwa Yokohama FC |Kagoshima Gifu |Kitakyushu Gunma |rowspan="2" align=center|18 |[[FC Imabari|Imabari]] |align=center|None |- |2020 |align=center|'''56''' |align=center|— |Tokushima Fukuoka |align=center|— |Akita Sagamihara |[[Tegevajaro Miyazaki|Miyazaki]] |align=center|No relegation and J1 entry playoffs from 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic. |- |2021 |align=center|'''57''' |align=center|20 |Tokushima Iwata Sendai Yokohama FC |Iwata Kyoto |Sagamihara Ehime Kitakyushu Matsumoto |Kumamoto Iwate |align=center|15 |[[Iwaki FC|Iwaki]] |align=center|No J1 entry playoffs for 2021 |- |2022 |align=center|'''58''' |rowspan="2" align=center|18 |Shimizu Iwata |Niigata Yokohama FC |Ryukyu Iwate |Iwaki Fujieda |align=center|18 |[[Nara Club|Nara]] [[FC Osaka]] |align=center|None |- |2023 |rowspan="4" align=center|'''60''' |Yokohama FC |Machida Zelvia Iwata Tokyo Verdy |Omiya Kanazawa |Ehime Kagoshima United |rowspan="4" align=center|20 |colspan="2" align=center|— |align=center|J1 promotion playoff return for 2023 onwards |- |2024 |rowspan="3" align=center|20 |Iwata Sapporo Tosu |Shimizu Yokohama FC Okayama |rowspan="3" align=center|20 |Tochigi SC Kagoshima Gunma |Omiya Imabari Toyama |Yokohama S&CC† Iwate |[[Tochigi City FC|Tochigi C]] [[Kochi United SC|Kochi]]† |align=center|J2 promotion playoff introduced from 2024 onwards |- |2025 |Yokohama FC Shonan Niigata |Mito Nagasaki Chiba |Kumamoto Yamaguchi Ehime |Tochigi C Hachinohe Miyazaki |Numazu† |[[Reilac Shiga FC|Shiga]]† | |- |2026–27 | | | | | | | |}

* Those with "†" are promotions and promotions based on the result of the shunting match. Remaining in the shunting and entry playoffs is not reflected. * The number of J3 teams includes the number of 2014 and 2015 J.League Under 22 teams and the number of U-23 teams from 2016 to 2020.

=== About the future === The J.League has announced a policy of setting a maximum of 20 teams for the J3 League and 60 teams for the total number of regular member teams including J1 and J2. According to interviews with people involved in the J.League, it has become clear that J1, J2 and J3 are proposing to have 20 teams each from 2024 at the earliest.

In conjunction with the increase in the number of teams, this is a new growth strategy that revises the ratio of equal distribution money and in particular, the policy of grading allocation centered on the top clubs of J1. It is said that the aim is to improve the value of the J. League by increasing the provision of high quality matches. If there are 20 teams in each class, in 2023, only the lowest (18th) club will be demoted from J1 to J2 and conversely, 3 clubs will be promoted from J2 to J1. It is said that there is.

After that, on 20 December 2022, based on the J League's two new growth strategies ("60 clubs shine in their respective regions" and "top tier shines as national (global) content"), From the 2024 season, J1, J2 and J3 will have 20 teams each and J. League cup games will officially be renewed to a knockout (tournament) format in which all 60 clubs from J1, J2 and J3 will participate was announced in.

== Branding == The first official J.League Anthem - "'''J'S THEME'''" debuted in 1993 and was composed by [[Michiya Haruhata]]. It was used during league broadcasts and as a prelude to kickoff at stadiums.

J.League and J.League clubs make the most out of their logos / emblems and [[List of J.League mascots|mascots]] for [[brand]]ing and [[marketing]].

==Awards== {{Main|List of J.League awards}} *[[J.League Manager of the Year|Manager of the Year Award]] *[[J.League Most Valuable Player|Most Valuable Player Award]] *[[J.League Top Scorer|Top Scorer Award]] *[[J.League Rookie of the Year|Rookie of the Year Award]] *[[J.League Best XI|Best XI Award]]

==See also== {{Portal|Asia|Japan|Sports|Association football}} * [[Japan Football Association]] (JFA) ;League * [[Japanese association football league system]] ** J.League *** [[J1 League]] *** [[J2 League]] *** [[J3 League]] ** [[Japan Football League]] ** [[Japanese Regional Leagues]] ;Cup * [[Japanese Super Cup|Fujifilm Super Cup]] * [[Emperor's Cup]] * [[J.League Cup|J.League YBC Levain Cup]]

==See also== *[[Japan Soccer League]]

== Notes == {{reflist|group=nb}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category|J. League}} * [http://www.jleague.co/ Official website]

[[Category:J.League| ]] [[Category:Men's football leagues in Japan|1-3]] [[Category:Professional sports leagues in Japan]] [[Category:1993 establishments in Japan]] [[Category:Sports leagues established in 1993]]