2026–27 J1 League
| Season | 2026–27 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 7 August 2026 – 6 June 2027[1] |
| Matches | 120 |
| Goals | 357 (2.98 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | |
| Biggest home win | FC Tokyo 6–0 Mito HollyHock (25 October 2026) |
| Biggest away win | Shimizu S-Pulse 0–5 Machida Zelvia (21 October 2026) |
| Highest scoring | Yokohama F. Marinos 3–4 Kashima Antlers (7 August 2026) Gamba Osaka 4–3 Urawa Reds (7 August 2026) Sanfrecce Hiroshima 6–1 Cerezo Osaka (12 September 2026) |
| Longest winning run | 5 FC Tokyo, Vissel Kobe |
| Longest unbeaten run | 11 FC Tokyo |
| Longest winless run | 11 Tokyo Verdy |
| Longest losing run | 6 Mito HollyHock |
2027–28 →
All statistics correct as of 25 October 2026. | |
The 2026–27 J1 League, also known as the 2026/27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League (Japanese: 2026/27シーズン 明治安田J1リーグ, Hepburn: 2026/27 Shīzun Meiji Yasuda J1 Rīgu) for sponsorship reasons, is the 34th season of J1 League, the top Japanese professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1992. This is the 12th season of the league since its rebrand from J.League Division 1 and the first to have encompassed two calendar years, having switched from the single-year season format.
Kashima Antlers are the defending champions, having won a record-extending ninth J.League title on the last matchday of the 2025 season. It was their record-breaking ninth top flight title, their first trophy since winning the 2018 AFC Champions League, and the first league title since 2016.[2]
Overview
[edit]This is the first J.League season played in two calendar years from summer to spring, having always played in a whole calendar year from late winter to early winter since its inaugural season in 1993.[3]
Changes from the previous season
[edit]Three teams were relegated to the 2026–27 J2 League. Yokohama FC, Shonan Bellmare, and Albirex Niigata, were relegated as they finished 18th, 19th, and 20th respectively in the 2025 season, ending their one, eight, and three-year stays in the top flight respectively.
Three teams were promoted from the 2025 J2 League: Mito HollyHock, who won the title and play top flight football for the first time ever and second team from Ibaraki Prefecture in J1 League, V-Varen Nagasaki, who finished second, play only its second ever season in the J1 after seven seasons playing in the J2 League, and JEF United Chiba, who finished third and won the play-offs to play their first season in the top tier since their most recent relegation in 2008.
Clubs
[edit]Personnel and kits
[edit]Managerial changes
[edit]| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in the table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yokohama F. Marinos | Sacked | 3 June 2026[24] | Pre-season | 21 June 2026[25] | ||
| Kyoto Sanga | End of interim spell | 7 June 2026[26] | 8 June 2026[27] | |||
| Urawa Reds | 16 June 2026 | 16 June 2026[28] | ||||
| Cerezo Osaka | Resigned | 3 July 2026[29] | 3 July 2026[30] | |||
| Gamba Osaka | Resigned | 10 July 2026 [31] | 18 July 2026 [32] | |||
| Tokyo Verdy | Sacked | 5 October 2026 [33] | 19th | 8 October 2026 [34] | ||
| Mito HollyHock | Sacked | 26 October 2026 [35] | 17th | 26 October 2026 [36] | ||
Foreign players
[edit]From the 2019 season, there are no limitations on signing foreign players, but clubs can only register up to five of them for a single matchday squad.[37] Players from J.League partner nations (Thailand, Vietnam, Morocco, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia) were exempted from these restrictions.
- Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.
- Player's name in italics indicates the player has Japanese nationality in addition to their FIFA nationality, holds the nationality of a J.League partner nation, or is exempt from being treated as a foreign player due to having been born in Japan and being enrolled in, or having graduated from an approved type of school in the country.[38]
Foreign players by confederation
[edit]| Foreign players by confederation | |
|---|---|
| CONMEBOL (55) | |
| AFC (27) | |
| UEFA (23) | |
| CAF (4) | |
| CONCACAF (2) | |
| Total foreign players: 116 | |
League table
[edit]| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Machida Zelvia | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 30 | 10 | +20 | 27 | Qualification for the AFC Champions League Elite league stage |
| 2 | FC Tokyo | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 27 | 8 | +19 | 27 | |
| 3 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 29 | 10 | +19 | 26 | |
| 4 | Kashiwa Reysol | 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 25 | 19 | +6 | 25 | Qualification for the AFC Champions League Elite playoff round |
| 5 | Vissel Kobe | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 18 | 11 | +7 | 23 | |
| 6 | Kawasaki Frontale | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 25 | 18 | +7 | 22 | |
| 7 | Urawa Red Diamonds | 12 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 21 | 23 | −2 | 21 | |
| 8 | Kashima Antlers | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 25 | 21 | +4 | 20 | |
| 9 | Yokohama F. Marinos | 12 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 16 | 12 | +4 | 18 | |
| 10 | Fagiano Okayama | 12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 17 | −2 | 16 | |
| 11 | Nagoya Grampus | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 18 | −4 | 14 | |
| 12 | Cerezo Osaka | 12 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 19 | −7 | 14 | |
| 13 | Shimizu S-Pulse | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 20 | −10 | 14 | |
| 14 | V-Varen Nagasaki | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 15 | 19 | −4 | 12 | |
| 15 | Gamba Osaka | 12 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 21 | −7 | 11 | |
| 16 | Kyoto Sanga | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 23 | −8 | 10 | |
| 17 | Mito HollyHock | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 22 | −10 | 9 | |
| 18 | Tokyo Verdy | 12 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 21 | −12 | 8 | Relegation to the J2 League |
| 19 | Avispa Fukuoka | 12 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 21 | −8 | 7 | |
| 20 | JEF United Chiba | 12 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 24 | −12 | 7 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head goals scored; 7) Fewer disciplinary points.
Results
[edit]Season statistics
[edit]Top scorers
[edit]- As of 11 October 2026
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals[39] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kashima Antlers | 11 | |
| 2 | Kashiwa Reysol | 8 | |
| 3 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 7 | |
| 4 | Kawasaki Frontale | 6 | |
| Yokohama F. Marinos | |||
| FC Tokyo | |||
| 7 | Mito HollyHock | 5 | |
| Kyoto Sanga | |||
| 9 | Kashima Antlers | 4 | |
| Urawa Reds | |||
| Urawa Reds | |||
| FC Tokyo |
Hat-tricks
[edit]| Player | For | Against | Result | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mito HollyHock | Kashima Antlers | 4–2 (H) | 2 September 2026 | [40] | |
| Fagiano Okayama | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 3–2 (H) | 6 September 2026 | [41] | |
| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | Cerezo Osaka | 6–1 (H) | 12 September 2026 | [42] |
Awards
[edit]Monthly MVP
[edit]| Month | Player | Pos. | Club | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August | FW | Kashima Antlers | [43] | |
| September | MF | Kashiwa Reysol | [44] |
Goal of the Month
[edit]| Month | Player | Pos. | Club | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August | FW | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | [43] | |
| September | FW | Kawasaki Frontale | [44] |
Young Player of the Month
[edit]| Month | Player | Pos. | Club | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August | MF | Yokohama F. Marinos | [43] | |
| September | MF | Shimizu S-Pulse | [44] |
Save of the Month
[edit]| Month | Player | Club | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| August | Cerezo Osaka | [43] | |
| September | Cerezo Osaka | [44] |
Manager of the Month
[edit]| Month | Manager | Club | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| August | Kashiwa Reysol | [43] | |
| September | Vissel Kobe | [44] |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "2026/27シーズン 明治安田Jリーグの開催期間を決定" [2026/27 Season Meiji Yasuda J-League held period decided]. JLeague.jp (in Japanese). Japan Professional Football League. 28 October 2025. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
- ↑ "J1 League Match Week 38 Recap: Kashima celebrate ninth title after victory over Yokohama F・M". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 7 December 2025. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
- ↑ "J.League season timing to transition from 2026/27 season". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
- ↑ "2026/27シーズン キャプテン・副キャプテン決定のお知らせ". アビスパ福岡公式サイト | AVISPA FUKUOKA Official Website (in Japanese). 26 July 2026. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "2026/27シーズン キャプテン、副キャプテン決定のお知らせ". セレッソ大阪オフィシャルウェブサイト | Cerezo OSAKA (in Japanese). 1 August 2026. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "2026/27シーズン キャプテン・副キャプテン決定のお知らせ | ファジアーノ岡山 FAGIANO OKAYAMA". ファジアーノ岡山[Fagiano OKAYAMA]公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "2026/27シーズン キャプテン決定のお知らせ|ニュース|FC東京オフィシャルホームページ". FC-Tokyo (in Japanese). 29 July 2026. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "2026/27シーズン キャプテン・リーダーシップグループ決定のお知らせ". ガンバ大阪オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "2026/27シーズンキャプテン・副キャプテンについて|ニュース|ジェフユナイテッド市原・千葉 公式ウェブサイト". ジェフユナイテッド市原・千葉 公式ウェブサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "Announcement of Captain, Vice-Captain, and Player Representative for the 2026/27 Season". 鹿島アントラーズ オフィシャルサイト. 22 July 2026. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "柏レイソル Official Site". 柏レイソル Official site (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "2026/27シーズン「キャプテン・副キャプテン」決定のお知らせ | KAWASAKI FRONTALE". 川崎フロンターレ オフィシャルWEBサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "キャプテン・副キャプテン決定のお知らせ". 京都サンガF.C.|オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "2026/27シーズン キャプテン・副キャプテン決定のお知らせ | お知らせ | FC町田ゼルビア" (in Japanese). 22 July 2026. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "2026/27シーズン キャプテン・副キャプテン 決定のお知らせ". 水戸ホーリーホック公式サイト (in Japanese). 26 July 2026. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "2026/27シーズン 名古屋グランパス キャプテン・副キャプテン決定のお知らせ|ニュース|名古屋グランパス公式サイト". 名古屋グランパス公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "2026/27明治安田J1リーグ リーダーグループ決定のお知らせ". サンフレッチェ広島 オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). 4 August 2026. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "2026/27 シーズン キャプテン・副キャプテン決定のお知らせ". 清水エスパルス公式WEBサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "2026/27シーズン キャプテンについて". URAWA RED DIAMONDS OFFICIAL WEBSITE (in Japanese). 5 August 2026. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "【公式】V・ファーレン長崎". 【公式】V・ファーレン長崎 (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "2026/27 シーズン キャプテン・副キャプテン決定のお知らせ | ニュース". 横浜F・マリノス 公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "大島 秀夫監督 解任のお知らせ".
- ↑ "Yokohama F. Marinos Name Steve Corica as New Manager".
- ↑ "曺貴裁監督との契約について" [Regarding the contract with manager Cho Kwi-jae]. Sanga-FC.jp (in Japanese). Kyoto Sanga. 15 May 2026. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ "ランコ・ポポヴィッチ氏 監督就任のお知らせ".
- ↑ "Announcement of the appointment of Mr. Cho Kwi-jae as manager".
- ↑ "アーサー パパス監督 退任のお知らせ". 5 July 2026.
- ↑ "パブロ マチン氏 監督就任のお知らせ".
- ↑ "イェンス・ヴィッシング監督 退任のお知らせ".
- ↑ "明神 智和コーチ 監督就任のお知らせ".
- ↑ "城福 浩 監督 契約解除のお知らせ | 東京ヴェルディ / Tokyo Verdy". www.verdy.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 October 2026.
- ↑ "相馬直樹 監督 就任のお知らせ | 東京ヴェルディ / Tokyo Verdy". www.verdy.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 October 2026.
- ↑ "樹森大介監督 解任のお知らせ". 水戸ホーリーホック公式サイト (in Japanese). 26 October 2026. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- ↑ "森直樹監督 就任のお知らせ". 水戸ホーリーホック公式サイト (in Japanese). 26 October 2026. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- ↑ "「ホームグロウン制度」の導入と「外国籍選手枠」の変更について" [About the introduction of the "homegrown system" and the change of the "foreign player quota"]. JLeague.jp (in Japanese). Japan Professional Football League. 20 November 2018. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018.
- ↑ "プロサッカー選手の契約、登録および移籍に関する規則" [Rules for contracting, registering and transferring professional soccer players] (PDF). JFA.jp (in Japanese). Japan Football Association. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ↑ "2026/27 Season - Top scorers | J1 League Player Stats | Official Website of J.LEAGUE". The official Website of J.LEAGUE. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ "Match Results & Data for Mito vs Kashima (MEIJI YASUDA J1 League - 2 Sep 2026 (JST)) | Official Website of J.LEAGUE". The official Website of J.LEAGUE. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ "Match Results & Data for Okayama vs Hiroshima (MEIJI YASUDA J1 League - 6 Sep 2026 (JST)) | Official Website of J.LEAGUE". The official Website of J.LEAGUE. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ "Match Results & Data for Hiroshima vs C-Osaka (MEIJI YASUDA J1 League - 12 Sep 2026 (JST)) | Official Website of J.LEAGUE". The official Website of J.LEAGUE. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "【公式】2026/27シーズン8月度受賞者 明治安田J1リーグ月間表彰". Jリーグ公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "【公式】2026/27シーズン9月度受賞者 明治安田J1リーグ月間表彰". Jリーグ公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 October 2026.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Official website (in Japanese)
- J.League Data Site
- J.League Data Site (in Japanese)