2026–27 Japan Football League

Japan Football League
Season2026–27
Dates29 August 2026 – 23 May 2027[1]
← 2025
2027–28 →

The 2026–27 Japan Football League is the upcoming 28th season of JFL, since its establishment in 1999. This will be also the thirteenth season of the league having a fourth-tier status in Japanese football since 2014.

Overview

General

This marked the first Japan Football League season scheduled with a summer-to-spring format with 16 teams will compete in the league – the thirteen teams from the previous season, one team relegated from the J3 League and two teams promoted from Regional Leagues.

The league's champion team earns automatic promotion to the J3 League, while the 2nd place team competes in a promotion/relegation play-off against the 19th-placed team from the J3 League. Meanwhile, the relegation playoff between the 15th-placed team in the JFL and the second-placed team in the JRFCL has been abolished and starting from this season the bottom two teams (15th and 16th) will be relegated directly to the fifth division depending on the region of origin of the team.

Teams promoted from Japanese Regional Leagues

J-Lease became the first team to be promoted on 24 November 2025 after defeating Tokyo United in the final round and at the same time as Veroskronos Tsuno lost to Vonds Ichihara where both matches ended with a score of 1-0.

Vonds Ichihara became the second team to be promoted on 30 November 2025, after defeating Atletico Suzuka in the JFL/Japanese Regional Leagues playoffs.[2] Both promoted teams will compete in the fourth division for the first time in their respective histories.

Teams relegated to Japanese Regional Leagues

Asuka became the first team to be relegated after a draw against Maruyasu Okazaki on 15 November 2025. Asuka was relegated to Kansai Soccer League Division 1 after spending one season in the fourth division.

Atletico Suzuka became the second team to be relegated after losing to Vonds Ichihara in the JFL/Japanese Regional Leagues playoffs on 30 November 2025. Atletico Suzuka was relegated to the Tōkai Soccer League Division 1 after spending six seasons in the fourth division.

Result from playoff

Reilac Shiga became the only team to be promoted to the J3 League because Honda, who were last season's champions and does not intend to gain promotion to the J. League. Reilac Shiga ended their 12-season stay in the fourth division by defeating Azul Claro Numazu in the J3/JFL playoffs with a 4-3 aggregate score on 14 December 2025. For Azul Claro Numazu, this result returned them to the fourth division after spending eight seasons in the third division.[3]

Teams

Teams changes

The following teams changed division since the 2025 season.

To JFL
Relegated from J3 League
Promoted from Regional Leagues
From JFL
Promoted to J3 League
Relegated to Regional Leagues

Locations and stadiums

Locations of teams in the 2026–27 Japan Football League.
Team Location Stadium Capacity 2025 season Notes1
Azul Claro Numazu↓ Numazu Ashitaka Park Stadium 10,000 20th in J3 J2 license holders
Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa Urayasu Daiichi Cutter Field 2,100 3rd in JFL
Criacao Shinjuku2 Shinjuku Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka 7,258 12th in JFL J3 license holders
Honda Hamamatsu Honda Miyakoda Soccer Stadium 2,506 1st in JFL
Iwate Grulla Morioka Morioka Iwagin Stadium 9,892 9th in JFL J1 license holders
J-Lease↑ Ōita Oita Athletic Stadium 15,943 1st in JRFCL
Maruyasu Okazaki Okazaki Maruyasu Okazaki Ryuhoku Stadium 5,000 11th in JFL
Minebea Mitsumi Miyazaki Hinata Stadium 20,000 10th in JFL
Okinawa Okinawa3 Okinawa Athletic Park Stadium 12,270 8th in JFL
ReinMeer Aomori Aomori Kakuhiro Group Athletic Stadium 20,809 5th in JFL J3 license holders
Tiamo Hirakata Hirakata Tamayura Athletic Stadium 2,500 4th in JFL
Veertien Mie Tōin4 La Pita Toin Stadium 5,077 7th in JFL J3 license holders
Verspah Oita Ōita5 Resonac Soccer/Rugby Field 4,700 6th in JFL J3 license holders
Vonds Ichihara2↑ Ichihara ZA Oripri Stadium 14,051 2nd in JRFCL
Yokogawa Musashino Musashino Musashino Municipal Athletic Stadium 5,188 14th in JFL
YSCC Yokohama Yokohama NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium 15,454 13th in JFL J2 license holders
↓ Relegated from the J3 League
↑ Promoted from the Japanese Regional Leagues
Notes
  1. ^ The teams which possess (or are applicants of) promotion-enabling licenses are highlighted in green in the table.
  2. ^ Having J.League 100 Year Plan club status.
  3. ^ Also based at Tomigusuku and Uruma.
  4. ^ Mainly based at Kuwana and Yokkaichi.
  5. ^ Mainly based at Beppu and Yufu.[4]

Personnel and kits

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and coaches may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Kit sponsors
Main Other(s)
Azul Claro Numazu Norihisa Shimizu Athleta usui
List
    • Front: Meiden
    • Back: Suruga Bank, OKI
    • Sleeves: Mitsuboshi
    • Shorts: Kawata Construction
Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa Satoshi Tsunami Jogarbola Urata
List
    • Front: Claudio, Sanwa
    • Back: Manavis, Shoei
    • Sleeves: Univership Brokers, Urayasu, Ichikawa
    • Shorts: Kyoei, Lion Heart Clinic
Criacao Shinjuku Hideaki Kitajima MC Fashion Assetlead
List
Honda Shota Itokazu Umbro Honda
List
Iwate Grulla Morioka Kei Hoshikawa Umbro Nova
List
    • Front: Wiseman
    • Back: Palco Home
    • Sleeves: Iwate
    • Shorts: Ninomiya Clinic
J-Lease Masaki Yanagawa Puma J-Lease
List
    • Front: Carebank, Kasuga Ryokka
    • Back: Medicare Otsuka, Kijima Kogen
    • Sleeves: Financial Design
    • Shorts: Oita Shiroya, Honda Cars Oita-Chuo
Maruyasu Okazaki Hiroyasu Ibata Athleta Maruyasu
List
    • Front: Hoei
    • Back: Tokai Tokyo Securities, Meiji Yasuda Life
    • Sleeves: Hirotec Engineering
    • Shorts: None
Minebea Mitsumi Hideaki Kitajima Umbro MinebeaMitsumi
List
    • Front: None
    • Back: None
    • Sleeves: None
    • Shorts: None
Okinawa Rei Onogi
List
    • Front: None
    • Back: None
    • Sleeves: None
    • Shorts: None
ReinMeer Aomori Masato Harasaki Umbro Towa
List
    • Front: Kakuhiro, KBS
    • Back: Happy Drug, Nishidagumi
    • Sleeves: None
    • Shorts: None
Tiamo Hirakata Takahiro Futagawa Jogarbola Izawa Towel
List
    • Front: Fukui, Himuro
    • Back: SCO Group, Zero Crest
    • Sleeves: Kakimaru
    • Shorts: None
Veertien Mie Shuichi Mase Tres Daihatsu Mie
List
    • Front: San ju San Bank
    • Back: Shinnihon, Tado Green Farm
    • Sleeves: None
    • Shorts: Taki Shoun
Verspah Oita Takashi Yamahashi Yasuda Hoyo
List
    • Front: Rilno, Kyoei
    • Back: Soitax Japan, Nver
    • Sleeves: Beppu, Yufu, Oita
    • Shorts: Axions
Vonds Ichihara Seiya Mukoyama Vinculum Pulchra
List
Yokogawa Musashino Hisayuki Ikegami Puma Yokogawa Electric
List
    • Front: Koshin Shoji
    • Back: Komoju, Edit Study
    • Sleeves: Musashi-Sakai Driving School
    • Shorts: Environmental Control Center
YSCC Yokohama Tsuyoshi Omatsu Penalty My Basket
List
    • Front: Remain In, Taiko
    • Back: Sanshin, YKA Dance Studio
    • Sleeves: Honmoku, Yokohama
    • Shorts: None

Managerial changes

Pre-season

Team Outgoing head coach Manner Date of vacancy Replaced by Date of arrival
Azul Claro Numazu Hideto Suzuki Resigned 16 December 2025[5] Norihisa Shimizu 17 January 2026[6]

During the season

Team Outgoing Manner Exit date Position in table Incoming Incoming date
Announced on Departed on Announced on Arrived on

Foreign players

Team Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Player 4 Former players
Azul Claro Numazu
Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa
Criacao Shinjuku
Honda
Iwate Grulla Morioka Sillas Cédric Toussaint Ryu Se-gun Won Tae-rang
J-Lease
Maruyasu Okazaki
Minebea Mitsumi
Okinawa
ReinMeer Aomori Arthur Bessa Luiz Fernando Han Yong-gi Park Yong-ji
Tiamo Hirakata Kim Sung-kon Thanakrit Laorkai
Veertien Mie Kim Song-sun Ryang Hyon-ju
Verspah Oita
Vonds Ichihara
Yokogawa Musashino Kim Tae-uk Park Kwan-gyu
YSCC Yokohama Onye Ogochukwu Kim Yong-u Park Si-eon

Foreign players by confederation

Foreign players by confederation
AFC
CAF
CONCACAF
CONMEBOL
OFC
UEFA

Standings

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Azul Claro Numazu 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Promotion to J3 League[a]
2 Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification for promotion playoff
3 Criacao Shinjuku 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Honda 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Iwate Grulla Morioka 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 J-Lease 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Maruyasu Okazaki 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Minebea Mitsumi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Okinawa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 ReinMeer Aomori 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 Tiamo Hirakata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 Veertien Mie 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13 Verspah Oita 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
14 Vonds Ichihara 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15 Yokogawa Musashino 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Relegation to Regional Leagues
16 YSCC Yokohama 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played: 29 August 2026. Source: Japan Football League
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 goal scored; 7) Fair-play points.
Notes:
  1. ^ Dependent on obtaining a J.League license.

Position by round

Promotion to the J3 League
Qualification for the promotion play-off
Relegation to the Regional Leagues
First match(es) will be played on 29 August 2026. Source: Japan Football League

Results

Fixtures and results

Home \ Away AZL BRI CRI HON GRU JLE MAR MIM OSV REI TIA VEE VRS VND YMS YSC
Azul Claro Numazu
Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa
Criacao Shinjuku
Honda
Iwate Grulla Morioka
J-Lease
Maruyasu Okazaki
Minebea Mitsumi
Okinawa
ReinMeer Aomori
Tiamo Hirakata
Veertien Mie
Verspah Oita
Vonds Ichihara
Yokogawa Musashino
YSCC Yokohama
First match(es) will be played: 29 August 2026. Source: Japan Football League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Results by round

First match(es) will be played on 29 August 2026. Source: Japan Football League

Attendances

Overall

Pos Team Total High Low Average Change
1 Azul Claro Numazu 0 0 0 0 n/a†
2 Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa 0 0 0 0 n/a†
3 Criacao Shinjuku 0 0 0 0 n/a†
4 Honda 0 0 0 0 n/a†
5 Iwate Grulla Morioka 0 0 0 0 n/a†
6 J-Lease 0 0 0 0 n/a‡
7 Maruyasu Okazaki 0 0 0 0 n/a†
8 Minebea Mitsumi 0 0 0 0 n/a†
9 Okinawa 0 0 0 0 n/a†
10 ReinMeer Aomori 0 0 0 0 n/a†
11 Tiamo Hirakata 0 0 0 0 n/a†
12 Veertien Mie 0 0 0 0 n/a†
13 Verspah Oita 0 0 0 0 n/a†
14 Vonds Ichihara 0 0 0 0 n/a‡
15 Yokogawa Musashino 0 0 0 0 n/a†
16 YSCC Yokohama 0 0 0 0 n/a†
League total 0 0 0 0 n/a†

Source: Japan Football League
Notes:
† Teams played previous season in J3 League
‡ Teams played previous season in Japanese Regional Leagues

Home match played

Team \ Match played 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Total
Azul Claro Numazu
Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa
Criacao Shinjuku
Honda
Iwate Grulla Morioka
J-Lease
Maruyasu Okazaki
Minebea Mitsumi
Okinawa
ReinMeer Aomori
Tiamo Hirakata
Veertien Mie
Verspah Oita
Vonds Ichihara
Yokogawa Musashino
YSCC Yokohama
League total 0

Source: Japan Football League

Number of teams by prefecture

Number Prefecture Team(s)
2  Chiba Prefecture Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa and Vonds Ichihara
 Ōita Prefecture J-Lease and Verspah Oita
 Shizuoka Prefecture Azul Claro Numazu and Honda
 Tokyo Criacao Shinjuku and Yokogawa Musashino
1  Aichi Prefecture Maruyasu Okazaki
 Aomori Prefecture ReinMeer Aomori
 Iwate Prefecture Iwate Grulla Morioka
 Kanagawa Prefecture YSCC Yokohama
 Mie Prefecture Veertien Mie
 Miyazaki Prefecture Minebea Mitsumi
 Okinawa Prefecture Okinawa
 Osaka Prefecture Tiamo Hirakata

See also

  • 2026 Japan Football League Cup
  • 2026 Japanese Super Cup
  • 2026–27 Emperor's Cup
  • 2026–27 J.League Cup
  • 2026–27 J1 League
  • 2026–27 J2 League
  • 2026–27 J3 League
  • 2026–27 Japanese Regional Leagues

References

  1. ^ "【ＪＦＬオフィシャルサイト】2026-2027年 日本フットボールリーグ開催期間のお知らせ". Japan Football League (in Japanese). 20 December 2025. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  2. ^ "【TOP】11/30(日)アトレチコ鈴鹿戦 試合結果". VONDS Ichihara (in Japanese). 1 December 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  3. ^ "【ＪＦＬオフィシャルサイト】2025年度 J3･JFL入れ替え戦 第2戦「滋賀が1勝1分でJ3昇格を決める！」". Japan Football League (in Japanese). 14 December 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  4. ^ "大分市のホームタウン追加について | ヴェルスパ大分 公式サイト | VERSPAH OITA OFFICIAL WEBSITE | JFL サッカースクール | レディース アカデミー". Verspah Oita (in Japanese). 28 June 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  5. ^ "鈴木秀人監督 退任のお知らせ". Azul Claro Numazu (in Japanese). 16 December 2025. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  6. ^ "清水範久氏コーチ就任お知らせ". Azul Claro Numazu (in Japanese). 17 January 2026. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
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