View source for J1 League

{{Short description|Association football league in Japan}}
{{shortlead|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox football league
| name                 = J1 League
| logo                 = Meiji_Yasuda_J1_League_logo.svg
| pixels               = 
| caption              = 
| organiser            = [[J.League]]
| country              = Japan
| confed               = [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]]
| founded              = {{start date and age|1992}}
| folded               = 
| divisions            = 
| teams                = [[#Participating clubs|20]]
| feeds                = 
| relegation           = [[J2 League]]
| levels               = [[Japanese association football league system#Overview|1]]
| domest_cup           = [[Emperor's Cup]]<br />[[Japanese Super Cup]]
| league_cup           = [[J.League Cup]]
| confed_cup           = [[AFC Champions League|AFC Champions League Elite]]<br />[[AFC Champions League Two]]
| champions            = {{nowrap|[[Kashima Antlers]] (9th title)}}
| season               = [[2025 J1 League|2025]]
| most successful club = [[Kashima Antlers]] (9 titles)
| most_appearances     = [[Yasuhito Endō]] (672)
| top_goalscorer       = [[Yoshito Ōkubo]] (179)
| tv                   = [[DAZN]] <small>(including [[Abema|Abema de DAZN]]<ref name="Abema de DAZN" />)</small><br />[[NHK General TV]] <small>(selected matches)</small><br />[[NHK#Television|NHK BS]] <small>(selected matches)</small><br />[[YouTube]] <small>(selected matches and markets)</small>
| website              = {{URL|https://www.jleague.co/|jleague.jp}}
| current              = [[2026 J1 100 Year Vision League]]}}

The {{Nihongo|'''J1 League'''|J1リーグ| Jē-wan Rīgu|lead=yes}}, {{a.k.a.}} the '''J.League''' or the {{Nihongo|'''Meiji Yasuda J1 League'''|明治安田J1リーグ|Meiji Yasuda Jē-wan Rīgu|lead=yes}} for sponsorship reasons,<ref>The logo used in Japan is labeled 「'''明治安田 J1 LEAGUE'''」.</ref> is a professional [[association football]] league in [[Japan]] and the highest level of the [[Japanese football league system]].

Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of [[promotion and relegation]] with the [[J2 League]]. Both the J1 and J2 leagues are operated by the {{Nihongo|[[J.League|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>}}.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 September 2013 |title=J-League History Part 5: Expansion, success, and a bright future |url=http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/5486/j-league-history/2013/09/09/4248337/j-league-history-part-5-expansion-success-and-a-bright?ICID=AR |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401042642/https://www.goal.com/en-my/news/5486/j-league-history/2013/09/09/4248337/j-league-history-part-5-expansion-success-and-a-bright?ICID=AR |archive-date=1 April 2019 |access-date=12 December 2013 |website=Goal.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=9 September 2013 |title=J-League History Part 4: Exporting Talent |url=http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/5486/j-league-history/2013/09/09/4248310/j-league-history-part-4-exporting-talent?ICID=AR |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403010523/http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/5486/j-league-history/2013/09/09/4248310/j-league-history-part-4-exporting-talent?ICID=AR |archive-date=3 April 2015 |access-date=12 December 2013 |website=Goal.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=9 September 2013 |title=J-League History Part 3: Growing pains emerge on the road to the 2002 World Cup |url=http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/5486/j-league-history/2013/09/09/4248301/j-league-history-part-3-growing-pains?ICID=AR |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403010515/http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/5486/j-league-history/2013/09/09/4248301/j-league-history-part-3-growing-pains?ICID=AR |archive-date=3 April 2015 |access-date=12 December 2013 |website=Goal.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=9 September 2013 |title=J-League History Part 2: Verdy Kawasaki dominates the early years |url=http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/5486/j-league-history/2013/09/09/4248281/j-league-history-part-2-the-early-years?ICID=AR |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403010520/http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/5486/j-league-history/2013/09/09/4248281/j-league-history-part-2-the-early-years?ICID=AR |archive-date=3 April 2015 |access-date=12 December 2013 |website=Goal.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=9 September 2013 |title=J-League History Part 1: Professional football begins in Japan |url=http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3883/features/2013/09/09/4249128/j-league-history-part-1-beginnings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403010518/http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3883/features/2013/09/09/4249128/j-league-history-part-1-beginnings |archive-date=3 April 2015 |access-date=12 December 2013 |website=Goal.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=6 June 1994 |title=Tokyo Journal; Japan Falls for Soccer, Leaving Baseball in Lurch |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/06/world/tokyo-journal-japan-falls-for-soccer-leaving-baseball-in-lurch.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807001135/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/06/world/tokyo-journal-japan-falls-for-soccer-leaving-baseball-in-lurch.html |archive-date=7 August 2019 |access-date=17 November 2013 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=11 June 1993 |title=Japan Wages Soccer Campaign |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1993/0611/11111.html/(page)/2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807001145/https://www.csmonitor.com/1993/0611/11111.html/(page)/2 |archive-date=7 August 2019 |access-date=17 November 2013 |work=Christian Science Monitor}}</ref> 

Founded in 1992, it is one of the most successful leagues in [[Asian Football Confederation|Asian]] professional club football history. It was known as the '''J.League''' from 1993 to 1998 before becoming a two-division league, and as '''J.League Division 1''' from 1999 to 2014. The current champions are [[Kashima Antlers]], who won a record-extending ninth J.League title and a record-breaking ninth top flight title in the [[2025 J1 League|2025 season]].

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

===Before the professional league (pre-1993)===
Before the inception of the J.League, the highest level of club football was the [[Japan Soccer League]] (JSL), which was formed in 1965 and 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 |date=12 December 2005 |access-date=12 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily/997-July-2010/5577-how-japan-created-a-successful-league |title=How Japan created a successful league |work=When Saturday Comes |date=18 July 2010 |access-date=12 December 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=9 August 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 bronze Olympic 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 Japanese national team was not on a par with the 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.

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 and became the now-defunct [[Japan Football League (1992–1998)|Japan Football League]], a semi-professional league. Although the J.League did not officially launch until 1993, the [[1992 J.League Cup|J.League Cup]] 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 in early 1993.

===After the boom (1996–1999)===
Despite its success in the first three years, in early 1996, the league attendance declined rapidly. In 1997, the average attendance was 10,131, compared to more than 19,000 in 1994. Notably, [[Arsène Wenger]] managed Nagoya Grampus Eight during this period.

===Change of infrastructure and game formats (1999–2004)===
The league's management announced the J.League Hundred Year Vision, in which they aimed to create or endorse 100 professional association football clubs throughout Japan by 2092, which would mark the hundredth season since the establishment of the J1 League. 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 [[Grassroots|grassroots level]]. The league administration believed that this would allow the clubs to bond with their respective cities and towns, and obtain support from local government, companies, and citizens. In other words, clubs will be able to rely on the locals, rather than major national sponsors.

The format of the league was heavily changed in 1999. The league acquired nine clubs from the semi-professional [[Japan Football League (1992–98)|JFL]] and one club from the J.League to create a two-division system. The top flight became the J.League Division 1 (J1) with 16 clubs while the J.League Division 2 (J2) was launched with ten clubs in 1999. The former second-tier Japan Football League now became the third-tier [[Japan Football League]] (J3).

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

===European league format and AFC Champions League (2005–2008)===
For the [[2005 J.League Division 1|2005 season]], the J1 League was increased to 18 clubs and the season format adopted a system similar to European club football. The number of relegated clubs also increased from 2 to 2.5, with the 3rd-to-last club going into a promotion/relegation playoff with the third-placed J2 club.

Three Japanese sides made the quarter-finals in the [[2008 AFC Champions League knockout stage|2008 ACL]].<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=11 August 2008|website=Goal.com|access-date=19 August 2012|archive-date=21 January 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>

The league and the clubs increasingly paid more attention to Asian competitions. For example, [[Kawasaki Frontale]] built up a notable fan base in Hong Kong, owing to their participation in the Asian 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=8 March 2008 | access-date=8 March 2008 | archive-date=12 March 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> There was success for [[Urawa Red Diamonds]] in 2007 and [[Gamba Osaka]] in 2008. The J.League obtained the highest league ranking and a total of four competition slots, starting from the [[2009 AFC Champions League|2009 season]]. This included the previous Emperor's Cup Winner.  The league took this as an opportunity to sell TV broadcasting rights to foreign countries, especially in Asia.

Other changes affecting the competition from the [[2009 J.League Division 1|2009 season]] included increasing the number of relegation slots to three, introducing a dedicated AFC Player slot (reserved for a player that derives from an AFC country other than Japan) as one of the four allowable foreign players. From 2012, having the  J.League Club Licence became a requirement of being a member of the [[Asian Football Confederation]], and one of the criteria of whether a club was permitted to be promoted to a higher tier in professional level leagues.

In 2015, the J.League Division 1 was renamed J1 League. The tournament format was changed to a three-stage system. The season was split into first and second stages, followed by a third and final championship stage. The third stage was composed of three to five teams.  The team with the most points in each stage and the top three team with the most points overall qualified.  If both of the stage winners finished in the top three teams for the season, then only three teams qualified for the championship stage.  These teams then took part in a championship playoff stage to decide the winner of the league trophy.

===Current (2017–2025)===
Despite the new multi-stage format being initially reported as locked in for five seasons, due to negative reaction from hardcore fans and failure to appeal to casual fans, after 2016 it was abandoned in favour of a return to a single-stage system.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Duerden|first1=John|title=J.League seeks to wrestle back spotlight from Chinese Super League|url=http://www.espnfc.com.au/club/kashima-antlers/7115/blog/post/3070641/jleague-seeks-to-wrestle-back-spotlight-from-chinese-super-league|website=ESPN FC|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2 March 2017|archive-date=20 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220202814/http://www.espnfc.com.au/club/kashima-antlers/7115/blog/post/3070641/jleague-seeks-to-wrestle-back-spotlight-from-chinese-super-league|url-status=live}}</ref> From 2017, the team which accumulates the most points will be named champion, with no championship stage taking place at the season's end, and from 2018, the bottom two clubs are relegated and the 16th-placed club enters a playoff with the J2 club that wins a promotion playoff series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jleague.jp/release/post-51923/ |title=2018J1参入プレーオフ 大会方式および試合方式について |publisher=J.League |date=12 December 2017 |access-date=12 December 2017 |archive-date=15 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215064724/https://www.jleague.jp/release/post-51923/ |url-status=live }}</ref> If the J2 playoff winner prevails, the club is promoted, with the J1 club being relegated, otherwise the J1 club can retain its position in J1 League with the promotion failure of the J2 club.

In November 2017, Urawa Red Diamonds played the [[2017 AFC Champions League Final|AFC Champions League final]] against Al Hilal. After a draw in the first leg, Urawa Red Diamonds won the second leg 1-0 and were crowned Asian Champions. In the past 10–15 years, Japanese clubs have risen also intercontinentally. Clubs Gamba Osaka and Urawa Red Diamonds have been crowned Asian champions and participated in the Club World Cup, always targeting at least the semi-finals. Kashima Antlers were finalists of the 2016 edition and eventually lost to Real Madrid.

===Future (2026–27 season onwards)===

The J-League will transition to a season that follows the European football calendar, to be played from August to May.<ref>{{cite web |title=J.League season timing to transition from 2026/27 season|url=https://www.jleague.co/news/jleague-season-timing-to-transition-from-202627-season/ |publisher=Japan Professional Football League |website=JLeague.co|date=19 December 2023|accessdate=11 December 2024 }}</ref> This will include a winter break between December and February.<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 |accessdate=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>

As a part of the transition, the league will have a one-off special tournament (called the [[2026 J1 100 Year Vision League]]) to be held during the first half of 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2026年前半 シーズン移行期の特別大会について |trans-title=Special tournaments during the transition period in the first half of 2026 |date=17 December 2024 |access-date=22 December 2024 |url=https://www.jleague.jp/news/article/29712 |website=JLeague.jp |publisher=Japan Professional Football League|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2026特別シーズンにおける特別大会について|trans-title=Special Tournaments in the 2026 Special Season|date=29 July 2025 |access-date=20 October 2025 |url=https://www.jleague.jp/news/article/31576|website=JLeague.jp |publisher=Japan Professional Football League|language=ja}}</ref>

===Timeline===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Important events
!No. J clubs
!No. ACL Elite clubs
!No. ACL Two clubs
!{{Tooltip|Rel. slots|Number of relegation slots}}
|-
|1989
|
*[[Japan Football Association|JFA]] forms a professional league assessment committee.
|
|
|rowspan="34"|–
|
|-
|1990
|
*The committee decides the criteria for professional clubs
*Fifteen to twenty clubs from [[Japan Soccer League]] applies for the professional league membership
|
|
|
|-
|1992
|
*The professional league, J.League is formed with the following 10 clubs:
**'''[[Gamba Osaka]]''', '''[[JEF United Chiba|JEF United Ichihara]]''', '''[[Nagoya Grampus Eight]]''', '''[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]''', '''[[Urawa Red Diamonds]]''', '''[[Verdy Kawasaki]]''', '''[[Yokohama Flügels]]''', and '''[[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 then second-tier [[Japan Football League (1992–98)|Japan Football League]]
*J.League hosts the first [[J.League Cup|domestic league cup competition]] with the ten clubs
|
|
|
|-
|[[1993 J.League|1993]]
|
*The J.League officially kicks off its first season
|align=center|10
|
|
|-
|[[1994 J.League|1994]]
|
*Following clubs are promoted from Japan Football League: '''[[Júbilo Iwata]]''' and '''[[Bellmare Hiratsuka]]'''
|align=center|12
|
|
|-
|[[1995 J.League|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 pt for PK loss, and 0 pts for regulation or extra time loss.
|align=center|14
|
|
|-
|[[1996 J.League|1996]]
|
*Following clubs are promoted from Japan Football League: '''[[Kyoto Purple Sanga]]''' and '''[[Avispa Fukuoka]]'''
*The league adopts single season format
*J.League average attendance hits the record low 10,131
|align=center|16
|
|
|-
|[[1997 J.League|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 a regulation win, 2 pts for extra-time win, 1 pt for PK win, and 0 pts for any loss.
|align=center|17
|
|
|-
|[[1998 J.League|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.
|align=center|18
|
|
|-
|[[1999 J.League Division 1|1999]]
|
*Yokohama Marinos merge with Yokohama Flügels to become '''Yokohama F. Marinos'''
*[[Penalty shootout (association 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 (1992–98)|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.
|rowspan="6" align=center|16
|
|rowspan="5" align=center|2
|-
|[[2000 J.League Division 1|2000]]
|
|
|-
|[[2001 J.League Division 1|2001]]
|
|
|-
|[[2002 J.League Division 1|2002]]
|
|rowspan="6" align=center|2
|-
|[[2003 J.League Division 1|2003]]
|
*[[Overtime (sports)|Extra time]] is abolished in Division 1 and traditional 3–1–0 points system is adopted
|-
|[[2004 J.League Division 1|2004]]
|
*No automatic relegation this season, as the top flight expands to 18 clubs for the following season
*Inception of the two-legged [[J. League promotion/relegation series|Promotion/relegation Series]]
|align=center|0.5
|-
|[[2005 J.League Division 1|2005]]
|
*J.League Division 1 expands to 18 clubs
*J.League Division 1 adopts single-season format
|rowspan="16" align=center|18
|rowspan="4" align=center|2.5
|-
|[[2006 J.League Division 1|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 100 Year Plan club status|J.League Associate Membership]]
|-
|[[2007 J.League Division 1|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''' wins the [[2007 AFC Champions League]], becoming the first Japanese club to win the [[AFC Champions League]] since its rebranding in 2002. Urawa wins the bronze medal at the [[2007 FIFA Club World Cup]], becoming the first Japanese club to do so.
|-
|[[2008 J.League Division 1|2008]]
|
*'''Gamba Osaka''' wins the [[2008 AFC Champions League]], the second straight championship by a Japanese club and wins the bronze medal at the [[2008 FIFA Club World Cup]], the second straight Japanese bronze medal at the competition.
|align=center|2+1
|-
|[[2009 J.League Division 1|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.
|rowspan="11" align=center|4
|rowspan="9" align=center|3
|-
|[[2010 J.League Division 1|2010]]
|
|-
|[[2011 J.League Division 1|2011]]
|
*J.League champion qualifies to the [[FIFA Club World Cup]] as the host for next two seasons again.
|-
|[[2012 J.League Division 1|2012]]
|
|-
|[[2013 J.League Division 1|2013]]
|
|-
|[[2014 J.League Division 1|2014]]
|
|-
|[[2015 J1 League|2015]]
|
*J.League reinstates split-season format for the next five seasons.
*J.League champion qualifies to the [[FIFA Club World Cup]] as the host for the next two seasons again.
|-
|[[2016 J1 League|2016]]
|
* J.League champion qualifies to the FIFA Club World Cup as the host.
* '''Kashima Antlers''' reaches the [[2016 FIFA Club World Cup]] [[2016 FIFA Club World Cup Final|Final]] becoming the first Asian club and only Japanese club to reach the Final, finishing with the silver medal.
|-
|[[2017 J1 League|2017]]
|
*J.League reinstates single-season format after only two seasons.
* '''Urawa Red Diamonds''' wins the [[2017 AFC Champions League]] becoming the first Japanese club to win this competition twice.
|-
|[[2018 J1 League|2018]]
|
*J.League implements entry playoff between 16th J1 club and J2 playoffs winner.
* '''Kashima Antlers''' wins the [[2018 AFC Champions League]] becoming only the third Japanese club to win this competition. Kashima goes on to finish 4th at [[2018 FIFA Club World Cup]], the best performance by a Japanese club in a FIFA World Cup held overseas outside of Japanese soil.
|rowspan="2" align=center|2.5
|-
|[[2019 J1 League|2019]]
|
*J.League implements a new foreigners rule. J1, J2 and J3 clubs can recruit as many foreign players as they desire, but only 5 (J1) or 4 (J2 and J3) can be in the matchday squad. The "Asian slot" is removed. Players from certain J.League partner nations such as Thailand, Vietnam, etc. are not counted as foreigners.
|-
|[[2020 J1 League|2020]]
|
*No relegation due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]
|rowspan="4" align=center|3
|align=center|0
|-
|[[2021 J1 League|2021]]
|
*League is expanded to hold 20 clubs, as no team was relegated from the J1 and two teams were promoted from the J2
|align=center|20
|align=center|4
|-
|[[2022 J1 League|2022]]
|
*League returns to have 18 clubs, as there were four relegated teams from J1 and two promoted to J2.
|rowspan="2" align=center|18
|align=center|2.5
|-
|[[2023 J1 League|2023]]
|
*It is decided that from the 2024 season, the J1, J2 and J3 Leagues will be levelled to 20 clubs in each, with promotions and relegations of the 2023 season of each league being adjusted accordingly for it to be possible.
*As league will be expanded to permanently hold 20 clubs, only one team will be directly relegated to the J2 for 2023.
*There will be promotion play-offs for the J1 with teams from 3rd to 6th place, with no team from the J1 participating on it.
|align=center|1
|-
|[[2024 J1 League|2024]]
|
*No J1-J2 promotion/relegation play-offs will be held and instead, the three worst-placed teams will be directly relegated to the J2.
|rowspan="3" align=center|20
|rowspan="3" align=center|2
|rowspan="3" align=center|1
|rowspan="3" align=center|3
|-
|[[2025 J1 League|2025]]
|
* This is the last season is spring-autumn format.
|-
|[[2026–27 J1 League|2026–27]]
|
* This is first season use fall-spring format starting from August 2026 until May 2027.
|}

== Past logos ==

<gallery class="center">
File:J.League Division 1.png|Logo used between 1999 and 2014
File:J1 League (Horizontal).png|Logo used between 2015 and 2018
</gallery>

== 2026–27 season ==

=== League format ===
{{Main|2026–27 J1 League}}
Twenty clubs play in double round-robin (home and away) format, a total of 38 games each. A club receives 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. The clubs are ranked by points, and tiebreakers are, in the following order: 
* Goal differential
* Goals scored
* Head-to-head results
* Disciplinary points
A draw would be conducted, if necessary. However, if two clubs are tied for first place, both clubs will be declared as co-champions. The top two clubs will qualify to the following season's AFC Champions League Elite, the third-placers qualify to the following season's AFC Champions League Two, while the bottom three clubs will be relegated to J2.

;Prize money (2020 figures)<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/02/09/soccer/j-league/j-league-reveals-breakdown-prize-money-funds/#.XKnxPlX7Spo | title = J. League reveals breakdown of prize money, funds | newspaper = The Japan Times | date = 9 February 2017 | access-date = 7 April 2019 | archive-date = 5 August 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200805171340/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/02/09/soccer/j-league/j-league-reveals-breakdown-prize-money-funds/#.XKnxPlX7Spo | url-status = live }}</ref>
* Champions: 300,000,000 yen
* Second place: 120,000,000 yen
* Third place: 60,000,000 yen

In addition to the prize, the top 4 clubs are awarded with the following funds.

;J league funds distributed to top 4 clubs (from 2017)
* Champions: 1,550,000,000 yen
* Second place: 700,000,000 yen
* Third place: 350,000,000 yen
* Fourth place: 180,000,000 yen

=== Participating clubs ===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Club
!Year<br />joined
!Seasons<br />in J1
!Based in
!First season in<br />top flight
!Seasons in<br />top flight
!Current spell in<br />top flight
!Last [[List of Japanese football champions|title]]
|-
| [[Avispa Fukuoka]]
| 1996
| 14
| [[Fukuoka]], [[Fukuoka Prefecture|Fukuoka]]
| 1996
| 14
| since 2021
| –
|-
| [[Cerezo Osaka]]
| 1995
| 25
| [[Osaka]] & [[Sakai, Osaka]]
| 1965
| 51
| since 2017
| 1980
|-
| [[Fagiano Okayama]]
| 2009 (J2)
| 1
| [[Okayama]], [[Okayama Prefecture|Okayama]]
| 2025
| 1
| since 2025
| –
|-
| [[Gamba Osaka]]
| 1993
| 32
| Northern cities in [[Osaka Prefecture|Osaka]]
| 1986–87
| 38
| since 2014
| 2014
|-style="background:#fcf;"
| [[JEF United Chiba]]
| 1993
| 17
| [[Chiba (city)|Chiba]] & [[Ichihara, Chiba]]
| 1965
| 44
| Since 2026
| –
|-
| {{sort|Antlers|[[Kashima Antlers]]}}
| 1993
| 33
| Southeastern cities/towns of [[Ibaraki Prefecture|Ibaraki]]
| 1985–86
| 36
| since 1993
| 2016
|-
| {{sort|Reysol|[[Kashiwa Reysol]]}}
| 1995
| 28
| [[Kashiwa, Chiba]]
| 1965
| 52
| since 2020
| 2011
|-
| {{sort|Frontale|[[Kawasaki Frontale]]}}
| 1999 (J2)
| 22
| [[Kawasaki, Kanagawa]]
| 1977
| 24
| since 2005
| 2021
|-
| {{sort|Sanga|[[Kyoto Sanga FC|Kyoto Sanga]]}}
| 1996
| 15
|All cities/towns in [[Kyoto Prefecture|Kyoto]] 
| 1996
| 15
| since 2022
| –
|-
| {{sort|Zelvia|[[FC Machida Zelvia|Machida Zelvia]]}}
| 2012 (J2)
| 2
| [[Machida, Tokyo]]
| 2024
| 2
| since 2024
| –
|-style="background:#fcf;"
| [[Mito HollyHock]]
| 2000 (J2)
| 0
| [[Mito, Ibaraki|Mito]] & [[Ibaraki Prefecture|Ibaraki]]
| 2026
| 0
| Since 2026
| –
|-
| [[Nagoya Grampus]]
| 1993
| 32
| All cities/towns in [[Aichi Prefecture|Aichi]]
| 1973
| 40
| since 2018
| 2010
|-
| [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]
| 1993
| 31
| [[Hiroshima]], [[Hiroshima Prefecture|Hiroshima]]
| 1965
| 53
| since 2009
| 2015
|-
| [[Shimizu S-Pulse]]
| 1993
| 30
| [[shimizu-ku, Shizuoka|Shimizu]], [[Shizuoka Prefecture|Shizuoka]]
| 1993
| 30
| since 2025
| –
|-
| {{sort||[[FC Tokyo]]}}
| 1999 (J2)
| 25
| [[Chōfu]]
| 2000
| 25
| since 2012
| –
|-
| {{sort|Verdy|[[Tokyo Verdy]]}}
| 1993
| 16
| Tokyo
| 1978
| 30
| since 2024
| 1994
|-
| {{sort|Red Diamonds|[[Urawa Red Diamonds]]}}
| 1993
| 32
| [[Saitama (city)|Saitama]]
| 1965
| 58
| since 2001
| 2006
|-style="background:#fcf;"
| [[V-Varen Nagasaki]]
| 2013 (J2)
| 1
| [[Nagasaki]] & [[Nagasaki Prefecture|Nagasaki]]
| 2018
| 1
| Since 2026
| –
|-
| [[Vissel Kobe]]
| 1997
| 27
| [[Kobe]], [[Hyōgo Prefecture|Hyōgo]]
| 1997
| 27
| since 2014
| 2024
|-
| {{sort|F. Marinos|[[Yokohama F. Marinos|Yokohama F.&nbsp;Marinos]]}}
| 1993
| 33
| [[Yokohama]], [[Yokosuka]] & [[Yamato, Kanagawa|Yamato]]
| 1979
| 45
| since 1982
| 2022
|}

Source for teams participating:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/japan/j1-league/2021/regular-season/|title=J1 League: Summary|work=Soccerway|publisher=Global Sports Media|access-date=6 December 2021}}</ref>
*''Pink background denotes club was most recently promoted from J2 League.''
*''"Year joined" is the year the club joined the J.League (Division 1 unless otherwise indicated).''
*''"First season in top flight", "Seasons in top flight", "Current spell in top flight", and "Last title" include seasons in the old [[Japan Soccer League]] First Division.''

=== Stadiums (2026–27) ===
{{Main|List of football stadiums in Japan}}
{{See also|Category:Football venues in Japan}}

Primary venues used in the J1 League:
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin:1em auto;"
|-
! [[Yokohama F. Marinos]]
! [[Urawa Red Diamonds]]
! [[FC Tokyo]]
! [[Tokyo Verdy]]
! [[Nagoya Grampus]]
|-
| [[Nissan Stadium (Yokohama)|Nissan Stadium]]
| [[Saitama Stadium 2002]]
|colspan="2"| [[Ajinomoto Stadium]]
| [[Toyota Stadium (Japan)|Toyota Stadium]]
|-
| Capacity: '''71,624'''
| Capacity: '''62,040'''
| colspan="2"|Capacity: '''47,851'''
| Capacity: '''42,753'''
|-
| [[File:NISSANSTADIUM20080608.JPG|150px]]
|  [[File:Saitama Stadium Panorama.jpg|150px]]
|colspan="2"| [[File:Ajinomoto Stadium 20101120.JPG|150px]]
| [[File:Nagoya Grampus game in Toyota Stadium 100814.JPG|150px]]
|-
! [[Gamba Osaka]]
! [[Kashima Antlers]]
! [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]
! [[Vissel Kobe]]
! [[Kawasaki Frontale]]
|-
| [[Panasonic Stadium Suita]]
| [[Kashima Soccer Stadium|Mercari Stadium]]
| [[Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima]]
| [[Noevir Stadium Kobe]]
| [[Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium|Uvance Todoroki Stadium by Fujitsu]]
|-
| Capacity: '''39,694'''
| Capacity: '''39,095'''
| Capacity: '''28,407'''
| Capacity: '''27,974'''
| Capacity: '''26,827'''
|-
| [[File:Suita City Football Stadium.jpg|150px]]
| [[File:Kashima Soccer Stadium 5.jpg|150px]]
| [[File:Hiroshima-Football-Stadium-20231014.jpg|150px]]
| [[File:Inside View of Kobe Wing Stadium.jpg|150px]]
| [[File:Todoroki 100911.JPG|150px]]
|-
! [[Cerezo Osaka]]
! [[Avispa Fukuoka]]
! [[Kyoto Sanga FC|Kyoto Sanga]]
! [[V-Varen Nagasaki]]
! [[JEF United Chiba]]
|-
| [[Yodoko Sakura Stadium]]
| [[Best Denki Stadium]]
| [[Sanga Stadium by Kyocera]]
| [[Peace Stadium Connected by SoftBank|PEACE STADIUM Connected by SoftBank]]
| [[Fukuda Denshi Arena]]
|-
| Capacity: '''24,481'''
| Capacity: '''21,546'''
| Capacity: '''21,269'''
| Capacity: '''20,268'''
| Capacity: '''19,781'''
|-
| [[File:NagaiBall141214-01.JPG|150px]]
| [[File:Hakata no mori stadium-day.jpg|150px]]
| [[File:Sanga stadium by kyocera05.jpg|150px]]
| [[File:PEACE-STADIUM-Connected-by-SoftBank 6-Oct-2024.jpg|150px]]
| [[File:Fukuda Denshi Arena (2008).jpg|150px]]
|-
! [[Shimizu S-Pulse]]
! [[Fagiano Okayama]]
! [[FC Machida Zelvia|Machida Zelvia]]
! [[Kashiwa Reysol]]
! [[Mito HollyHock]]
|-
| [[IAI Stadium Nihondaira]]
| [[JFE Harenokuni Stadium]]
| [[Machida Athletic Stadium|Machida GION Stadium]]
| [[Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium|SANKYO FRONTIER Kashiwa Stadium]]
| [[K's denki Stadium Mito|K's Denki Stadium]]
|-
| Capacity: '''19,594'''
| Capacity: '''15,479'''
| Capacity: '''15,320'''
| Capacity: '''15,109'''
| Capacity: '''12,000'''
|-
| [[Image:Nihondaira stadium20090412.jpg|200px]]
| [[File:Momotaro Stadium 01.jpg|250px]]
| [[File:Machidashiriku2011 1.JPG|150px]]
| [[File:Kashiwa20120311-1.JPG|150px]]
| [[File:Ksdenkistadium10050501.jpg|250px]]
|}

===Former clubs===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Club
!Year<br />Joined
!Seasons<br />in J1
!Based in
!First season in<br />top flight
!Seasons in<br />top flight
!Last spell in<br />top flight
!Last<br />[[List of Japanese football champions|title]]
!Current<br /> league
|-style="background:#ccc;"
| [[Albirex Niigata]]
| 1999 (J2)
| 16
| [[Niigata (city)|Niigata]], [[Niigata Prefecture|Niigata]]
| 2004
| 16
| 2023–2025
| –
| J2
|-
| [[Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo]]
| 1998
| 12
| [[Sapporo]]
| 1989/90
| 16
| 2017–2024
| –
| J2
|-
| [[Júbilo Iwata]]
| 1994
| 25
| [[Iwata, Shizuoka]]
| 1980
| 37
| 2024
| 2002
| J2
|-
| {{sort|Yamaga|[[Matsumoto Yamaga FC|Matsumoto Yamaga]]}}
| 2012 (J2)
| 2
| Central cities/village in [[Nagano Prefecture|Nagano]]
| 2015
| 2
| 2019
| –
|J3
|-
| [[Montedio Yamagata]]
| 1999 (J2)
| 4 
| All cities/towns in [[Yamagata Prefecture|Yamagata]]
| 2009
| 4
| 2015
| –
| J2
|-
| {{sort|Trinita|[[Oita Trinita]]}}
| 1999 (J2)
| 11
| All cities/towns in [[Ōita Prefecture|Ōita]]
| 2003
| 11
| 2019–2021
| –
| J2
|-
| [[Omiya Ardija]]
| 1999 (J2)
| 12
| [[Saitama (city)|Saitama]]
| 2005
| 12
| 2016–2017
| –
| J2
|-
| [[Sagan Tosu]]
| 1999 (J2)
| 4
| [[Tosu, Saga]]
| 2012
| 13
| 2012–2024
| –
| J2
|-style="background:#ccc;"
| [[Shonan Bellmare]]
| 1994
| 18
| Southern and central cities/town in [[Kanagawa]]
| 1972
| 36
| 2018–2025
| –
| J2
|-
| {{sort|Vortis|[[Tokushima Vortis]]}}
| 2005 (J2)
| 2
| All cities/towns in [[Tokushima Prefecture|Tokushima]]
| 2014
| 2
| 2021
| –
| J2
|-
| [[Vegalta Sendai]]
| 1999 (J2)
| 14
| [[Sendai]], [[Miyagi Prefecture|Miyagi]]
| 2002
| 14
| 2010–2021
| –
| J2
|-
| [[Ventforet Kofu]]
| 1999 (J2)
| 8
| All cities/towns in [[Yamanashi Prefecture|Yamanashi]]
| 2006
| 8
| 2013–2017
| –
| J2
|-style="background:#ccc;"
| [[Yokohama FC]]
| 2001 (J2)
| 5
| [[Yokohama]], [[Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]]
| 2007
| 5
| 2025
| –
| J2
|-
| {{sort|Flügels|[[Yokohama Flügels]]}}
| 1993
| 6
| [[Yokohama]], [[Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]]
| 1985/86
| 11
| 1988/89–1998
| –
| Defunct
|}
*''Grey background denotes club was most recently relegated to J2 League.''
*''"Year joined" is the year the club joined the J.League (Division 1 unless otherwise indicated).''
*''"First season in top flight", "Seasons in top flight", "Last spell in top flight", and "Last title" includes seasons in the old [[Japan Soccer League]] First Division.''

== Statistics ==

===All-time J1 League table===
The all-time J1 League table is a cumulative record of all match results, points, and goals of every team that has played in the J1 League. The table that follows is accurate as of the end of the [[2022 J1 League|2022]] season. Teams in '''bold''' are part of the [[2023 J1 League]].

'''Note''': For statistical purposes, the traditional [[Three points for a win|3–1–0 points system]] is used for all matches. As in the season, 1993–1994 did not use the point system. In seasons 1995–1996, were using 3 pts for any win, 1 pt for PK loss, and 0 pts for regulation or extra time loss. In seasons 1997-1998, were using 3 pts for a regulation win, 2 pts for extra-time win, 1 pt for PK win, and 0 pts for any loss. And from seasons 1999–2002, were using 3 pts for a regulation win, 2 pts for an extra time win, and 1 pt for a tie. 
<!--PLEASE DO NOT UPDATE UNTIL END OF SEASON as this causes problems in updating at the end of each season when each part of the table should be updated in full. Please do not remove it. Thank you.-->

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|Pos.|Position}}
!Club
!Seasons
!{{abbr|Pld|Played}}
!{{abbr|W|Won}}
!{{abbr|D|Drawn}}
!{{abbr|L|Lost}}
!{{abbr|GF|Goals for}}
!{{abbr|GA|Goals against}}
!{{abbr|GD|Goal difference}}
!{{abbr|Pts|Points}}
!{{abbr|Best<br>Pos.|Highest final position}}
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|1||align=left|'''[[Kashima Antlers]]'''
|30||1024||561||155||308||1,749||1,211||+538||'''1,838'''||1st
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|2||align=left|'''[[Yokohama F. Marinos]]'''
|30||1024||508||180||336||1,643||1,233||+410||'''1,704'''||1st
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|3||align=left|'''[[Urawa Red Diamonds]]'''
|29||994||457||174||363||1,526||1,319||+207||'''1,545'''||1st
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|4||align=left|'''[[Nagoya Grampus]]'''
|29||990||448||162||380||1,475||1,370||+105||'''1,506'''||1st
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|5||align=left|'''[[Gamba Osaka]]'''
|29||990||445||155||390||1,640||1,459||+181||'''1,490'''||1st
|- style="background:#97DEFF"
|6||align=left|[[Shimizu S-Pulse]]
|29||990||421||167||402||1,415||1,459||−44||'''1,430'''||2nd
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|7||align=left|'''[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]'''
|28||960||411||165||384||1,390||1,279||+111||'''1,398'''||1st
|- style="background:#97DEFF"
|8||align=left|[[Júbilo Iwata]]
|25||848||391||142||315||1,374||1,170||+204||'''1,315'''||1st
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|9||align=left|'''[[Kashiwa Reysol]]'''
|25||842||363||144||335||1,261||1,217||+44||'''1,233'''||1st
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|10||align=left|'''[[Kawasaki Frontale]]'''
|19||646||340||134||172||1,193||813||+380||'''1,154'''||1st
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|11||align=left|'''[[FC Tokyo]]'''
|22||732||307||157||268||1,007||934||+73||'''1,078'''||2nd
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|12||align=left|'''[[Cerezo Osaka]]'''
|22||744||306||133||305||1,117||1,120||−3||'''1,051'''||3rd
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|13||align=left|'''[[Vissel Kobe]]'''
|24||794||266||163||365||1,056||1,250||−194||'''961'''||3rd
|- style="background:#97DEFF"
|14||align=left|[[JEF United Chiba]]
|17||578||227||70||281||874||980||−106||'''751'''||3rd
|- style="background:#97DEFF"
|15||align=left|[[Tokyo Verdy]]
|14||476||226||43||207||767||713||+54||'''721'''||1st
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|16||align=left|'''[[Albirex Niigata]]'''
|14||472||156||115||201||557||679||−122||'''583'''||6th
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|17||align=left|'''[[Shonan Bellmare]]'''
|15||532||166||83||283||663||908||–245||'''581'''||5th
|- style="background:#97DEFF"
|18||align=left|[[Vegalta Sendai]]
|14||472||144||122||206||561||686||−125||'''554'''||2nd
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|19||align=left|'''[[Sagan Tosu]]'''
|11||378||133||107||138||443||479||−36||'''506'''||5th
|- style="background:#97DEFF"
|20||align=left|[[Omiya Ardija]]
|12||408||129||104||175||455||579||−124||'''491'''||5th
|- style="background:#97DEFF"
|21||align=left|[[Oita Trinita]]
|11||370||108||88||174||387||512||−125||'''412'''||4th
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|22||align=left|'''[[Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo]]'''
|11||370||110||68||192||472||653||−181||'''398'''||4th
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|23||align=left|'''[[Kyoto Sanga FC|Kyoto Sanga]]'''
|12||352||112||53||221||428||678||−250||'''389'''||5th
|- style="background:#cccccc"
|24||align=left|[[Yokohama Flügels]]
|6||228||117||0||111||375||373||+2||'''351'''||3rd
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|25||align=left|'''[[Avispa Fukuoka]]'''
|11||360||94||51||215||384||642||–258||'''333'''||8th
|- style="background:#97DEFF"
|26||align=left|[[Ventforet Kofu]]
|8||272||69||73||130||255||404||–149||'''280'''||13th
|- style="background:#97DEFF"
|27||align=left|[[Montedio Yamagata]]
|4||136||30||36||70||108||199||−91||'''126'''||13th
|- style="background:#ace1af"
|28||align=left|'''[[Yokohama FC]]'''
|3||106||19||19||68||89||203||−114||'''76'''||15th
|- style="background:#FFCCCC"
|29||align=left|[[Matsumoto Yamaga FC|Matsumoto Yamaga]]
|2||68||13||20||35||51||94||−43||'''59'''||16th
|- style="background:#97DEFF"
|30||align=left|[[Tokushima Vortis]]
|2||72||13||11||48||50||129||–79||'''50'''||17th
|- style="background:#97DEFF"
|31||align=left|[[V-Varen Nagasaki]]
|1||34||8||6||20||39||59||−20||'''30'''||18th
|-
|}

League or status at 2023:
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%"
|-
|style="width:10px;background:#ace1af"|
|[[2023 J1 League]] teams
|-
|style="width:10px;background:#97DEFF"|
|[[2023 J2 League]] teams
|-
|style="width:10px;background:#FFCCCC"|
|[[2023 J3 League]] teams
|-
|style="width:10px;background:#cccccc"|
|Defunct teams 
|}

=== Championship history ===
{{Main|List of Japanese football champions}}

{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Champions
! Runners-up
|-
|{{center|[[1993 J.League|1993]]}} || [[Verdy Kawasaki]] || [[Kashima Antlers]]
|-
|{{center|[[1994 J.League|1994]]}} || [[Verdy Kawasaki]] || [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]
|-
|{{center|[[1995 J.League|1995]]}} || [[Yokohama F. Marinos|Yokohama Marinos]] || [[Verdy Kawasaki]]
|-
|{{center|[[1996 J.League|1996]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] || [[Nagoya Grampus Eight]]
|-
|{{center|[[1997 J.League|1997]]}} || [[Júbilo Iwata]] || [[Kashima Antlers]]
|-
|{{center|[[1998 J.League|1998]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] || [[Júbilo Iwata]]
|-
|{{center|[[1999 J.League Division 1|1999]]}} || [[Júbilo Iwata]] || [[Shimizu S-Pulse]]
|-
|{{center|[[2000 J.League Division 1|2000]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] || [[Yokohama F. Marinos]]
|-
|{{center|[[2001 J.League Division 1|2001]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] || [[Júbilo Iwata]]
|-
|{{center|[[2002 J.League Division 1|2002]]}} || [[Júbilo Iwata]] || [[Yokohama F. Marinos]]
|-
|{{center|[[2003 J.League Division 1|2003]]}} || [[Yokohama F. Marinos]] || [[Júbilo Iwata]]
|-
|{{center|[[2004 J.League Division 1|2004]]}} || [[Yokohama F. Marinos]] || [[Urawa Red Diamonds]]
|-
|{{center|[[2005 J.League Division 1|2005]]}} || [[Gamba Osaka]] || [[Urawa Red Diamonds]]
|-
|{{center|[[2006 J.League Division 1|2006]]}} || [[Urawa Red Diamonds]] || [[Kawasaki Frontale]]
|-
|{{center|[[2007 J.League Division 1|2007]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] || [[Urawa Red Diamonds]]
|-
|{{center|[[2008 J.League Division 1|2008]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] || [[Kawasaki Frontale]]
|-
|{{center|[[2009 J.League Division 1|2009]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] || [[Kawasaki Frontale]]
|-
|{{center|[[2010 J.League Division 1|2010]]}} || [[Nagoya Grampus]] || [[Gamba Osaka]]
|-
|{{center|[[2011 J.League Division 1|2011]]}} || [[Kashiwa Reysol]] || [[Nagoya Grampus]]
|-
|{{center|[[2012 J.League Division 1|2012]]}} || [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] || [[Vegalta Sendai]]
|-
|{{center|[[2013 J.League Division 1|2013]]}} || [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] || [[Yokohama F. Marinos]]
|-
|{{center|[[2014 J.League Division 1|2014]]}} || [[Gamba Osaka]] || [[Urawa Red Diamonds]]
|-
|{{center|[[2015 J1 League|2015]]}} || [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]] || [[Gamba Osaka]]
|-
|{{center|[[2016 J1 League|2016]]}} || [[Kashima Antlers]] || [[Urawa Red Diamonds]]
|-
|{{center|[[2017 J1 League|2017]]}} || [[Kawasaki Frontale]] || [[Kashima Antlers]]
|-
|{{center|[[2018 J1 League|2018]]}} || [[Kawasaki Frontale]] || [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]
|-
|{{center|[[2019 J1 League|2019]]}} || [[Yokohama F. Marinos]] || [[FC Tokyo]]
|-
|{{center|[[2020 J1 League|2020]]}} || [[Kawasaki Frontale]] || [[Gamba Osaka]]
|-
|{{center|[[2021 J1 League|2021]]}} || [[Kawasaki Frontale]] || [[Yokohama F. Marinos]]
|-
|{{center|[[2022 J1 League|2022]]}} || [[Yokohama F. Marinos]] || [[Kawasaki Frontale]]
|-
| {{center|[[2023 J1 League|2023]]}}
|| [[Vissel Kobe]]
| [[Yokohama F. Marinos]]
|-
|[[2024 J1 League|2024]]
|[[Vissel Kobe]]
|[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]
|-
|[[2025 J1 League|2025]]|| [[Kashima Antlers]] || [[Kashiwa Reysol]]
|}

==Most successful clubs==
Clubs in '''bold''' compete in top flight for the [[2025 J1 League|2025 season]].
{| class="wikitable" 
! Club !! Champions !! Runners-up !! Winning seasons !! Runners-up seasons
|- 
|'''[[Kashima Antlers]]'''
|{{center|9}}
|{{center|3}}
| [[1996 J.League|1996]], [[1998 J.League|1998]], [[2000 J.League Division 1|2000]], [[2001 J.League Division 1|2001]], [[2007 J.League Division 1|2007]], [[2008 J.League Division 1|2008]], [[2009 J.League Division 1|2009]], [[2016 J1 League|2016]], [[2025 J1 League|2025]]
| [[1993 J.League|1993]], [[1997 J.League|1997]], [[2017 J1 League|2017]]
|-
|'''[[Yokohama F. Marinos|Yokohama F.&nbsp;Marinos]]'''
|{{center|5}}
|{{center|5}}
| [[1995 J.League|1995]], [[2003 J.League Division 1|2003]], [[2004 J.League Division 1|2004]],  [[2019 J1 League|2019]], [[2022 J1 League|2022]]
| [[2000 J.League Division 1|2000]], [[2002 J.League Division 1|2002]], [[2013 J.League Division 1|2013]], [[2021 J1 League|2021]], [[2023 J1 League|2023]]
|-
|'''[[Kawasaki Frontale]]'''
|{{center|4}}
|{{center|4}}
| [[2017 J1 League|2017]], [[2018 J1 League|2018]], [[2020 J1 League|2020]], [[2021 J1 League|2021]]
| [[2006 J.League Division 1|2006]], [[2008 J.League Division 1|2008]], [[2009 J.League Division 1|2009]], [[2022 J1 League|2022]]
|-
|[[Júbilo Iwata]]
|{{center|3}}
|{{center|3}}
| [[1997 J.League|1997]], [[1999 J.League Division 1|1999]], [[2002 J.League Division 1|2002]]
| [[1998 J.League|1998]], [[2001 J.League Division 1|2001]], [[2003 J.League Division 1|2003]]
|-
|'''[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]'''
|{{center|3}}
|{{center|3}}
| [[2012 J.League Division 1|2012]], [[2013 J.League Division 1|2013]], [[2015 J1 League|2015]]
| [[1994 J.League|1994]], [[2018 J1 League|2018]], [[2024 J1 League|2024]]
|-
|'''[[Gamba Osaka]]'''
|{{center|2}}
|{{center|3}}
| [[2005 J.League Division 1|2005]], [[2014 J.League Division 1|2014]]
| [[2010 J.League Division 1|2010]], [[2015 J1 League|2015]], [[2020 J1 League|2020]]
|-
|'''[[Tokyo Verdy]]'''
|{{center|2}}
|{{center|1}}
| [[1993 J.League|1993]], [[1994 J.League|1994]]
| [[1995 J.League|1995]]
|-
| '''[[Vissel Kobe]]'''
|{{center|2}}
|{{center|0}}
| [[2023 J1 League|2023]], [[2024 J1 League|2024]]
|
|-
|'''[[Urawa Red Diamonds]]'''
|{{center|1}}
|{{center|5}}
| [[2006 J.League Division 1|2006]]
| [[2004 J.League Division 1|2004]], [[2005 J.League Division 1|2005]], [[2007 J.League Division 1|2007]], [[2014 J.League Division 1|2014]], [[2016 J1 League|2016]]
|-
|'''[[Nagoya Grampus]]'''
|{{center|1}}
|{{center|2}}
| [[2010 J.League Division 1|2010]]
| [[1996 J.League|1996]], [[2011 J.League Division 1|2011]]
|-
|'''[[Kashiwa Reysol]]'''
|{{center|1}}
|{{center|1}}
| [[2011 J.League Division 1|2011]] 
| [[2025 J1 League|2025]]
|-
|'''[[Shimizu S-Pulse]]'''
|{{center|0}}
|{{center|1}}
| 
| [[1999 J.League Division 1|1999]]
|-
|[[Vegalta Sendai]]
|{{center|0}}
|{{center|1}}
| 
| [[2012 J.League Division 1|2012]]
|-
|'''[[FC Tokyo]]'''
|{{center|0}}
|{{center|1}}
| 
| [[2019 J1 League|2019]]
|}

=== Relegation history ===
Only four clubs have never been relegated from J1. Among those, only two clubs – [[Kashima Antlers]] and [[Yokohama F. Marinos|Yokohama F.&nbsp;Marinos]] – have participated in every league season since its establishment in [[1993 J.League|1993]]. The former J.League club [[Yokohama Flügels]] never experienced relegation before their merger with Yokohama Marinos in 1999.

[[JEF United Chiba]] holds the record for the longest top flight participation streak of 44 consecutive seasons in the first divisions of [[Japan Soccer League|JSL]] and J.League that lasted from the establishment of JSL in [[1965 Japan Soccer League|1965]] and ended with their relegation in [[2009 J.League Division 1|2009]]. The longest ongoing top flight streak belongs to [[Yokohama F. Marinos|Yokohama F.&nbsp;Marinos]] who have played in the top flight since [[1982 Japan Soccer League|1982]] (42 seasons in a row as of 2024).

;The 1998 season
When the league introduced the two-division system in 1999, they also reduced number of Division 1 clubs from 18 to 16. At the end of 1998 season, they ran the J.League Promotion Tournament to determine the two relegated clubs.

;Split-season era (1999–2004, 2015–2016)
Throughout 1999 to 2003 seasons, the two bottom clubs were relegated to Division 2. To accommodate the split-season format, combined overall standings were used to determine the relegated clubs. This created a confusing situation, where for the championship race stage standings were used, while overall standing was used for relegation survival.

At end of the 2004 season, Division 1 again expanded from 16 to 18 clubs. No clubs were relegated; however, the last-placed (16th) club had to play the [[J. League promotion/relegation series|Promotion/Relegation Series]] against the 3rd placed club from J2. Again, to determine the 16th placed club, the overall standing was used instead of stage standings.

For two seasons starting in 2015, the three bottom clubs were relegated based on overall standings.

;Single season era (2005–2014, 2017–2019, 2022–present)
For the next four seasons, 2005 to 2008, the number of relegating clubs was increased to 2.5, with two clubs from each division being promoted and relegated directly, and two more (15th in J1 and 3rd in J2) competing in the [[J. League promotion/relegation series|Promotion/Relegation Series]].

In 2009, the promotion/relegation series was abandoned and three teams were directly exchanged between divisions. In 2012, promotion playoffs were introduced in J2, allowing teams that finished from 3rd to 6th to compete for the last J1 promotion place. For the 2018, 2019 and 2022 seasons, the bottom two teams are relegated and the entry playoff has the 16th team play the J2 playoff winner.

;Single season era (2021)
No teams descended to J2 after the 2020 season due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Japan]] and its effects.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2020/03/19/soccer/j-league/j-league-skip-relegation-schedule-threatened-coronavirus/|title=J. League to skip relegation as schedule threatened by coronavirus|first=Dan|last=Orlowitz|date=19 March 2020|website=The Japan Times|access-date=2 January 2021|archive-date=21 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121094556/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2020/03/19/soccer/j-league/j-league-skip-relegation-schedule-threatened-coronavirus/|url-status=live}}</ref> Instead, four relegations were in place for the 2021 season to bring back the number of teams from 20 to 18.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Number of clubs promoted and relegated at the end of the 2021 season|url=https://www.jleague.jp/sp/en/news/article/18415|publisher=J.League|date=18 November 2020|access-date=2 January 2021|archive-date=16 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216091635/https://www.jleague.jp/sp/en/news/article/18415/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Summary====
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!15th place
!16th place
!17th place
!18th place
!19th place
!20th place
|-
|[[1998 J.League|1998]]
|[[JEF United Chiba|JEF United Ichihara]]
|'''[[Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo|Consadole Sapporo]]'''
|[[Vissel Kobe]]
|[[Avispa Fukuoka]]
| colspan="2" align=center|''Only 18 clubs participated''
|-
|[[1999 J.League Division 1|1999]]
|'''[[Urawa Red Diamonds]]'''
|'''[[Bellmare Hiratsuka]]'''
| colspan="4" rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" |''Only 16 clubs participated''
|-
|[[2000 J.League Division 1|2000]]
|'''[[Kyoto Purple Sanga]]'''
|'''[[Kawasaki Frontale]]'''
|-
|[[2001 J.League Division 1|2001]]
|'''[[Avispa Fukuoka]]'''
|'''[[Cerezo Osaka]]'''
|-
|[[2002 J.League Division 1|2002]]
|'''[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]'''
|'''[[Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo|Consadole Sapporo]]'''
|-
|[[2003 J.League Division 1|2003]]
|'''[[Vegalta Sendai]]'''
|'''[[Kyoto Purple Sanga]]'''
|-
|[[2004 J.League Division 1|2004]]
|[[Cerezo Osaka]]
|[[Kashiwa Reysol]] <small>†</small>
|-
|[[2005 J.League Division 1|2005]]
|[[Shimizu S-Pulse]]
|'''[[Kashiwa Reysol]]''' <small>‡</small>
|'''[[Tokyo Verdy 1969]]'''
|'''[[Vissel Kobe]]'''
| colspan="2" rowspan="16" align=center|''Only 18 clubs participated''
|-
|[[2006 J.League Division 1|2006]]
|[[Ventforet Kofu]]
|'''[[Avispa Fukuoka]]''' <small>‡</small>
|'''[[Cerezo Osaka]]'''
|'''[[Kyoto Purple Sanga]]'''
|-
|[[2007 J.League Division 1|2007]]
|[[Omiya Ardija]]
|'''[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]''' <small>‡</small>
|'''[[Ventforet Kofu]]'''
|'''[[Yokohama FC]]'''
|-
|[[2008 J.League Division 1|2008]]
|[[JEF United Chiba]]
|[[Júbilo Iwata]] <small>†</small>
|'''[[Tokyo Verdy]]'''
|'''[[Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo|Consadole Sapporo]]'''
|-
|[[2009 J.League Division 1|2009]]
|[[Montedio Yamagata]]
|'''[[Kashiwa Reysol]]'''
|'''[[Oita Trinita]]'''
|'''[[JEF United Chiba]]'''
|-
|[[2010 J.League Division 1|2010]]
|[[Vissel Kobe]]
|'''[[FC Tokyo]]'''
|'''[[Kyoto Sanga FC|Kyoto Sanga]]'''
|'''[[Shonan Bellmare]]'''
|-
|[[2011 J.League Division 1|2011]]
|[[Urawa Red Diamonds]]
|'''[[Ventforet Kofu]]'''
|'''[[Avispa Fukuoka]]'''
|'''[[Montedio Yamagata]]'''
|-
|[[2012 J.League Division 1|2012]]
|[[Albirex Niigata]]
|'''[[Vissel Kobe]]'''
|'''[[Gamba Osaka]]'''
|'''[[Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo|Consadole Sapporo]]'''
|-
|[[2013 J.League Division 1|2013]]
|[[Ventforet Kofu]]
|'''[[Shonan Bellmare]]'''
|'''[[Júbilo Iwata]]'''
|'''[[Oita Trinita]]'''
|-
|[[2014 J.League Division 1|2014]]
|[[Shimizu S-Pulse]]
|'''[[Omiya Ardija]]'''
|'''[[Cerezo Osaka]]'''
|'''[[Tokushima Vortis]]'''
|-
|[[2015 J1 League|2015]]
|[[Albirex Niigata]]
|'''[[Matsumoto Yamaga FC|Matsumoto Yamaga]]'''
|'''[[Shimizu S-Pulse]]'''
|'''[[Montedio Yamagata]]'''
|-
|[[2016 J1 League|2016]]
|[[Albirex Niigata]]
|'''[[Nagoya Grampus]]'''
|'''[[Shonan Bellmare]]'''
|'''[[Avispa Fukuoka]]'''
|-
|[[2017 J1 League|2017]]
|[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]
|'''[[Ventforet Kofu]]'''
|'''[[Albirex Niigata]]'''
|'''[[Omiya Ardija]]'''
|-
|[[2018 J1 League|2018]]
|[[Nagoya Grampus]]
|[[Júbilo Iwata]] †
|'''[[Kashiwa Reysol]]'''
|'''[[V-Varen Nagasaki]]'''
|-
|[[2019 J1 League|2019]]
|[[Sagan Tosu]]
|[[Shonan Bellmare]]
|'''[[Matsumoto Yamaga FC|Matsumoto Yamaga]]'''
|'''[[Júbilo Iwata]]'''
|-
|[[2020 J1 League|2020]]
|[[Yokohama FC]]
|[[Shimizu S-Pulse]]
|[[Vegalta Sendai]]
|[[Shonan Bellmare]]
|-
|[[2021 J1 League|2021]]
|[[Kashiwa Reysol]]
|[[Shonan Bellmare]]
|'''[[Tokushima Vortis]]'''
|'''[[Oita Trinita]]'''
|'''[[Vegalta Sendai]]'''
|'''[[Yokohama FC]]'''
|-
|[[2022 J1 League|2022]]
|[[Gamba Osaka]]
|[[Kyoto Sanga FC|Kyoto Sanga]] †
|'''[[Shimizu S-Pulse]]'''
|'''[[Júbilo Iwata]]'''
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" align=center|''Only 18 clubs participated''
|-
|[[2023 J1 League|2023]]
|[[Shonan Bellmare]]
|[[Gamba Osaka]]
|[[Kashiwa Reysol]]
|'''[[Yokohama FC]]'''
|-
|[[2024 J1 League|2024]]
|[[Shonan Bellmare]]
|[[Albirex Niigata]]
|[[Kashiwa Reysol]]
|'''[[Júbilo Iwata]]'''
|'''[[Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo]]'''
|'''[[Sagan Tosu]]'''
|-
|[[2025 J1 League|2025]]
|
|
|
|'''[[Yokohama FC]]'''
|'''[[Shonan Bellmare]]'''
|'''[[Albirex Niigata]]'''
|}<small>* Bold designates relegated clubs;<br />† Won the [[J. League promotion/relegation series|Pro/rele Series]] or entry playoff;<br />‡ Lost the Pro/rele Series or entry playoff and relegated</small>

==Other tournaments==
;Domestic tournaments
*[[Japanese Super Cup|Fujifilm Super Cup]] (1994–present)
*[[Emperor's Cup|The JFA Emperor's Cup]] (1921–present)
*[[J.League Cup|YBC Levain Cup]] (1992–present, except 1995)

;International tournaments
*[[FIFA Club World Cup]] (2007–2008, 2011–2012, 2015–2016)
*[[AFC Champions League]] (1969, 1986/87–2002/03, 2004–present)

;Defunct tournament
*[[J.League Championship|Suntory Championship]] (1993–2004, excluding 1996)
*[[Sanwa Bank Cup]] (1994–1997)
*[[JOMO All-Stars Soccer]] (1993–2007)
*[[A3 Champions Cup]] (2003–2007)
*[[J. League promotion/relegation series|Promotion/Relegation Series]] (2004–2008)
*[[Pan-Pacific Championship]] (2008, 2009)
*J1/J2 play-offs (2018, 2019, 2022)
*[[Suruga Bank Championship|J-League Cup/Copa Sudamericana Championship]] (2008–present)

==Players and managers==
{{Main|J.League awards}}

===Players===
*[[List of foreign J.League players]]

===Managers===
*[[List of J.League managers]]

==Media coverage==

=== Japan ===
[[DAZN]] brought exclusive digital broadcasting rights for the entire [[J.League]] matches (including J1 League itself) until 2033.<ref>{{cite press release|title=DAZN and J.LEAGUE extend Japanese broadcasting rights contract until 2033|url=https://dazngroup.com/press-room/dazn-and-j-league-extend-japanese-broadcasting-rights-contract-until-2033/|website=[[DAZN]]|access-date=February 14, 2024|archive-date=February 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214114456/https://dazngroup.com/press-room/dazn-and-j-league-extend-japanese-broadcasting-rights-contract-until-2033/|url-status=live}}</ref> The league was also available to stream on [[Abema]] through Abema de DAZN subscription plan.<ref name="Abema de DAZN">{{cite press release|title=ABEMA Launches "ABEMA de DAZN" to Deliver Even More Sports Content from February|url=https://www.cyberagent.co.jp/en/news/detail/id=29825|website=[[CyberAgent]]|date=February 16, 2024|access-date=February 23, 2024|archive-date=February 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222211322/https://www.cyberagent.co.jp/en/news/detail/id=29825|url-status=live}}</ref>

Linear broadcast for [[2024 J1 League|2024 season]] was limited to selected matches aired on [[NHK General TV]] and [[NHK#Television|NHK BS]], in addition to some regional network based on their team regions (such as [[Tokyo MX]], [[MBS TV]], [[Shizuoka Broadcasting System|SBS Shizuoka]], [[Saga Television Station|Saga TV]], [[Sapporo Television Broadcasting|Sapporo TV]], [[Nagoya Broadcasting Network|Mētele]], [[Shinhiroshima Telecasting|TSS]], [[Niigata Sogo Television|NST]], etc.)

=== Outside Japan ===
Selected matches are livestreamed globally (excluding the following regions) via J.League International YouTube channel.<ref>{{cite web|title=Overseas Broadcasting of the 2024 MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE|url=https://www.jleague.co/news/overseas-broadcasting-of-the-2024-meiji-yasuda-jleague/|website=[[J League]]|date=February 23, 2024|access-date=February 23, 2024|archive-date=February 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223053714/https://www.jleague.co/news/overseas-broadcasting-of-the-2024-meiji-yasuda-jleague/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Country/region
! Broadcaster<ref>{{cite web|title=Broadcaster|url=https://jleague.co/broadcast/|website=[[J League]]|access-date=February 23, 2024|archive-date=February 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214114500/https://jleague.co/broadcast/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{AUS}}
| [[Stan Sport]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sport.optus.com.au/articles/os4875/optus-sport-welcomes-j-league-to-our-2020-line-up|title=Optus Sport Welcomes J-League to Our 2020 Line Up|website=[[Optus Sport]]|access-date=11 February 2020|archive-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226112342/https://sport.optus.com.au/articles/os4875/optus-sport-welcomes-j-league-to-our-2020-line-up|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{AUT}}
| rowspan="3" | [[Sportdigital]]
|-
| {{GER}}
|-
| {{SUI}}
|-
|{{BRA}}
|Canal GOAT<ref>{{Cite web |last=Canal GOAT |title=A J-LEAGUE CHEGOU AO CANAL GOAT! ⚽️🎌 Comemora, @JInsiderBR ! Serão quatro jogos por rodada com grande presença brasileira em campo, equipes tradicionais e muita história! A partir deste sábado (16), temos um encontro marcado nas manhãs do Bodinho! 😉 #JLeagueNoGOAT |url=https://x.com/CanalGOATBR/status/1955665235886350609 |access-date=13 August 2025 |website=X}}</ref> and [[Xsports]]
|-
| {{CHN}}
| K-Ball{{efn|Including [[J2 League]]|name="J2 League"}}

* Regional broadcaster (FTA & pay)
** [[Tianjin Television And Radio Station|Tianjin TV]]

* Streaming
** [[Tencent|Penguin Sports]]
|-
| {{HKG}} 
| [[TVB]]{{efn|name="J2 League"}}
|-
| [[Indian subcontinent]] 
| [[Fancode]] 
|-
|{{IDN}} 
|PSJ TV
|-
| {{MAC}}
| [[TDM (Macau)|TDM]]
|-
| {{NGA}}
| Sporty TV
|-
| {{THA}}
| Siam Sport (via [[Advanced Info Service#AIS Play|AIS Play]]), [[BG Pathum United F.C.|BG Sports]] (via YouTube), and [[PPTV (Thai TV channel)|PPTV]] (terrestrial only)
|-
|{{VIE}}
|SCTV, [[Ho Chi Minh City Television|HTV]] 
|}

==Sponsorship==

=== Title Partner ===
* [[Meiji Yasuda Life]]

=== Official Broadcasting Partner ===
* [[DAZN]]

=== Top Partners ===
*{{URL|https://www.aidem.co.jp/|AiDEM}}
*{{URL|https://www.route-inn.co.jp.e.ut.hp.transer.com/company/|Route-Inn Hotels}}
* [[Aeon (company)|ÆON]]
* [[NTT Docomo|NTT docomo]]
* [[Konami|KONAMI]]
* [[Ichigo Inc.|Ichigo]]

=== League Cup Partner ===
* [[Yamazaki Baking|Yamazaki Biscuit]]

=== Super Cup Partner ===
* [[Fujifilm Business Innovation]]

=== Equipment Partner ===
* [[Adidas]]

=== Sports Promotion Partner ===
*{{URL|https://www.toto-dream.com/winner/index.html|Japan Sports Council}}

=== Ticketing Partner ===
*{{URL|https://corporate.pia.jp/en/corp/business/index.html|PIA Corporation}}

=== EC Platform Partner ===
* [[Rakuten]]

=== Technology Partner ===
* [[Nippon Telegraph and Telephone|NTT Group]]

=== Supporting Companies ===
* [[The Asahi Shimbun]]
*{{URL|https://sportsnavi.co.jp/|Sportsnavi}}
* [[Deloitte]]
*{{URL|https://www.datastadium.co.jp/sp/index/|Data Stadium}}
* [[Imagica|IMAGICA GROUP]]
* [[LY Corporation|LINE LY Corp]]
* [[Suntory|Suntory Wellness]]
* [[Nikon]]
* [[TikTok]]
* [[Kearney (consulting firm)|Kearney]]
* [[Pony Canyon]]

==See also==
{{Portal|Association football|Sports|Japan}}
* [[J.League records and statistics]]
* [[List of Japanese football champions]]
* [[Japanese association football league system]]
* [[WE League]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.jleague.co Official website]
* [https://www.youtube.com/user/jleaguechannel Official channel] on YouTube
* [https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/japchamp.html Japan - List of Champions] on RSSSF

{{J.League}}
{{Football in Japan}}
{{Japanese Club Football|group=first}}
{{Sports leagues in Japan}}
{{AFC leagues}}
{{J1 League venues}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:J1 League| ]]
[[Category:J.League competitions|1]]
[[Category:Top-level football leagues in Asia|Japan]]
[[Category:Summer association football leagues]]
[[Category:1992 establishments in Japan]]
[[Category:Sports leagues established in 1992]]