2025.5.27

J.LEAGUE to launch U-21 J.LEAGUE in 2026/27 season with 11 J clubs

J.League has announced launching a new competition, called U-21 J.LEAGUE(*Tentative name) aimed at developing and strengthening players in the post-youth (19 to 21-year-old) generation. The competition will primarily target players aged under 21 and scheduled to begin in 2026/27 season comprising two leagues - East and West - with a total of 11 clubs participating.

 The competition will begin in August or September and conclude in April 2026/27 season. Each team will play home and away league format and one match (home or away) against a team from the other league and the high ranked teams in each league will qualify for the Play-offs. All matches will be held with spectators and streamed online.

■    Participating clubs

Urawa Reds, FC Tokyo, Tokyo Verdy, Kawasaki Frontale, Shimizu S-Pulse, Jubilo Iwata, Nagoya Grampus, Gamba Osaka, Vissel Kobe, Fagiano Okayama and V-Varen Nagasaki

 J.League Chairman Yoshikazu Nonomura commented on the implementation of this competition as follows:

“The post-youth generation period is a very important for forming the foundation of a football player's career, and it is essential to ensure continuous playing environment during this period to maximize the potential of players. The competition will secure opportunities to play in the match regularly.

University football has been an important player’s development route in Japan, J clubs have taken advantage of loan transfers to provide playing opportunities for young players.

Those pathways are also important, whereas this competition aims to approach to complement the environment that allows players to continue playing regularly and development of players while the club consistently manages the development of players.

I hope that this competition will serve as a growth stage for players aged 19 to 21-year-old, as well as a stage for promising talents from the players under 18-year-old."