| J2 League | |
| |
| Country |  Japan
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|---|---|
| Confederation | AFC |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Number of teams | 20 |
| Promotion to | J1 League |
| Relegation to | J3 League |
| Levels on pyramid | 2 |
| Domestic cup(s) | Emperor's Cup |
| Current champions | Machida Zelvia (1st title) (2023) |
| Most successful club | Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo (3 titles) |
| TV | DAZN |
| Website | Official website |
 2024
| |
The J2 League is the second division of the Japan Professional Football League and the second-tier professional association football league in Japan. It (along with the rest of the J.League) is currently sponsored by Meiji Yasuda Life and it is thus officially known as the Meiji Yasuda J2 League. Currently, the J2 League is the second level of the Japanese association football league system. The top tier is represented by the J1 League.
Second-tier club football has existed in Japan since 1972; however, it was only professionalized during the 1999 season with ten clubs. The league took one relegating club from the top division and nine clubs from the second-tier semi-professional former Japan Football League to create the J2 League. The remaining seven clubs in the Japan Football League, the newly formed Yokohama FC, and one promoting club from the Regional Leagues, formed the nine-club Japan Football League, then the third-tier of Japanese football. The third tier is now represented by J3 League.
2024 season[]
League format[]
- Main article: 2024 J2 League
Twenty clubs play in double round-robin format, a total of 38 games each. A club receives three points for a win, one point for a tie, and no points for a loss. The clubs are ranked by points, and tie breakers are, in the following order:
- Goal difference
- Goals scored
- Head-to-head results
- Disciplinary points
A draw would be conducted, if necessary. However, if two clubs are tied at first place, both clubs will be declared champions. Two top clubs will be directly promoted to J1, and the third spot will be decided in the playoff series among clubs placed third to sixth. The team that wins this series will also be promoted for the next J1 season. Note that in order to participate in the playoffs a club must possess a J1 license; if one or more clubs fail to do so, they are not allowed in the playoffs and will not be replaced by other clubs.
The relegation to the lower tier J3 League will depend on the number and final standings of promotion-eligible clubs that possess a J2 license. Up to three clubs can be exchanged between two leagues, with direct promotion/relegation between the three bottom-place J2 teams (18th, 19th and 20th) and top three J3 teams (champion, runner-up and play-off winner). If one or both J3 promotion candidates fail to obtain a J2 license, they will not be allowed to promote and J2 relegation spots will be cut accordingly.
- Prize money
- First place: 20,000,000 yen
- Second place: 10,000,000 yen
- Third place: 5,000,000 yen
Participating clubs (2024)[]
| Club name | Year joined | Seasons in J2 |
Based in | First season in D2 |
Seasons in D2 |
Current spell in D2 |
Last spell in top flight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blaublitz Akita | 2014 (J3) | 4 | All cities/towns in Akita | 1985 | 6 | 2021– | – |
| Ehime FC | 2006 (J2) | 15 | All cities/towns in Ehime | 2001 | 6 | 2024– | – |
| Fagiano Okayama | 2009 | 13 | All cities/towns in Okayama | 2009 | 13 | 2009– | – |
| Fujieda MYFC | 2014 (J3) | 1 | Central cities/towns in Shizuoka | 2023 | 1 | 2023– | – |
| Iwaki FC | 2022 (J3) | 2 | Iwaki and Futaba District, Fukushima | 2023 | 2 | 2023– | – |
| JEF United Chiba | 1993 (J) | 12 | Chiba & Ichihara, Chiba | 2010 | 12 | 2010– | 1965–2009 |
| Kagoshima United | 2016 (J3) | 1 | Kagoshima, Kagoshima | 2019 | 1 | 2024– | |
| Mito HollyHock | 2000 | 21 | Mito, Ibaraki | 1997 | 23 | 2000– | – |
| Montedio Yamagata | 1999 | 19 | All cities/towns in Yamagata | 1994 | 24 | 2016– | 2015 |
| Oita Trinita | 1999 | 12 | Ōita | 1996 | 15 | 2022– | 2019–2021 |
| Renofa Yamaguchi | 2015 (J3) | 6 | All cities/towns in Yamaguchi | 2016 | 6 | 2016– | – |
| Roasso Kumamoto | 2008 | 11 | Kumamoto | 2008 | 11 | 2022– | – |
| Shimizu S-Pulse | 1993 (J) | 28 | Shizuoka | 2017 | 28 | 2023– | 2017–2022 |
| Thespa Gunma | 2005 | 15 | All cities/towns in Gunma | 2005 | 15 | 2020– | – |
| Tochigi SC | 2009 | 11 | Utsunomiya, Tochigi | 2009 | 11 | 2018– | – |
| Tokushima Vortis | 2005 | 15 | All cities/towns in Tokushima | 1990/91 | 24 | 2022– | 2021 |
| V-Varen Nagasaki | 2013 | 8 | All cities/towns in Nagasaki | 2013 | 8 | 2019– | 2018 |
| Vegalta Sendai | 1999 | 9 | Sendai, Miyagi | 1995 | 13 | 2022– | 2010–2021 |
| Ventforet Kofu | 1999 | 15 | All cities/towns in Yamanashi | 1972 | 40 | 2018– | 2013–2017 |
| Yokohama FC | 2001 (J2) | 3 | Yokohama, Kanagawa | 2007 | 3 | 2024– | 2023 |
- Gray background denotes club was most recently relegated/demoted from Division 1.
- Pink background denotes club was most recently promoted from J3 League.
- "Year joined" is the year the club joined the J.League (Division 2 unless otherwise indicated).
- "First season in D2", "Seasons in D2", and "Last spell in D2" take into account all past incarnations of second-tier football: the second division of the Japan Soccer League and the former Japan Football League.
- "Last spell in top flight" includes seasons in the old Japan Soccer League First Division.
Stadiums (2024)[]
Primary venues used in the J2 League:
| Blaublitz Akita | Ehime FC | Fagiano Okayama | Fujieda MYFC | Iwaki FC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soyu Stadium | Ningineer Stadium | City Light Stadium | Fujieda Soccer Stadium | Hawaiians Stadium Iwaki |
| Capacity: 20,125 | Capacity: 20,983 | Capacity: 20,000 | Capacity: 9,282 | Capacity: 5,600 |
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| JEF United Chiba | Kagoshima United | Mito HollyHock | Montedio Yamagata | Oita Trinita |
| Fukuda Denshi Arena | Shiranami Stadium | K's denki Stadium Mito | ND Soft Stadium | Resonac Dome Oita |
| Capacity: 19,781 | Capacity: 19,934 | Capacity: 12,000 | Capacity: 20,315 | Capacity: 40,000 |
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| Renofa Yamaguchi | Roasso Kumamoto | Shimizu S-Pulse | Thespa Gunma | Tochigi SC |
| Ishin Me-Life Stadium | Egao Kenko Stadium | IAI Stadium Nihondaira | Shoda Shoyu Stadium Gunma | Kanseki Stadium Tochigi |
| Capacity: 20,000 | Capacity: 32,000 | Capacity: 20,248 | Capacity: 15,253 | Capacity: 25,244 |
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| Tokushima Vortis | V-Varen Nagasaki | Vegalta Sendai | Ventforet Kofu | Yokohama FC |
| Pocarisweat Stadium | Transcosmos Stadium Nagasaki | Yurtec Stadium Sendai | JIT Recycle Ink Stadium | NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium |
| Capacity: 20,441 | Capacity: 20,246 | Capacity: 19,694 | Capacity: 17,000 | Capacity: 15,454 |
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Former clubs[]
| Club | Year joined |
Seasons in J2 |
Based in | First season in D2 |
Seasons in D2 |
Last spell in D2 |
Current league |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albirex Niigata | 1999 (J2) | 4 | Niigata, Niigata | 1999 | 8 | 2018–2022 | J1 |
| Avispa Fukuoka | 1996 (J) | 16 | Fukuoka | 1991/92 | 20 | 2017–2020 | J1 |
| Cerezo Osaka | 1995 (J) | 6 | Osaka and Sakai, Osaka | 1991/92 | 10 | 2015–2016 | J1 |
| Consadole Sapporo | 1998 (J) | 14 | All cities/towns in Hokkaido | 1978 | 31 | 2013–2016 | J1 |
| Ehime FC | 2006 | 16 | All cities/towns in Ehime | 2006 | 16 | 2006–2021 | J3 |
| Gainare Tottori | 2011 | 3 | All cities/towns in Tottori | 2011 | 3 | 2011–2013 | J3 |
| Gamba Osaka | 1993 (J) | 1 | Suita, Osaka | 1984 | 4 | 2013 | J1 |
| FC Gifu | 2008 | 12 | All cities/towns in Gifu | 2008 | 12 | 2008–2019 | J3 |
| Giravanz Kitakyushu | 2010 | 9 | Kitakyushu, Fukuoka | 2010 | 9 | 2020–2021 | J3 |
| Iwate Grulla Morioka | 2014 (J3) | 1 | Morioka, Iwate | 2022 | 1 | 2022 | J3 |
| Júbilo Iwata | 1994 (J) | 5 | Iwata, Shizuoka | 1979 | 9 | 2023 | J1 |
| Kamatamare Sanuki | 2014 | 5 | All cities/towns in Kagawa | 2014 | 5 | 2014–2018 | J3 |
| Kashiwa Reysol | 1995 (J) | 3 | Kashiwa, Chiba | 1987/88 | 9 | 2019 | J1 |
| Kataller Toyama | 2009 | 6 | All cities/towns in Toyama | 2009 | 6 | 2009–2014 | J3 |
| Kawasaki Frontale | 1999 | 5 | Kawasaki, Kanagawa | 1972 | 25 | 2001–2004 | J1 |
| Kyoto Sanga | 1996 (J) | 15 | Southwestern cities in Kyoto | 1972 | 28 | 2010–2021 | J1 |
| Machida Zelvia | 2012 | 6 | Machida, Tokyo | 2009 | 6 | 2016–2023 | J1 |
| Matsumoto Yamaga | 2012 | 9 | Central cities/towns in Nagano | 2012 | 9 | 2020–2021 | J3 |
| Nagoya Grampus | 1993 (J) | 1 | All cities/towns in Aichi | 1972 | 13 | 2017 | J1 |
| Omiya Ardija | 1999 (J2) | 4 | Niigata, Niigata | 1999 | 8 | 2019–2023 | J3 |
| Ryukyu Okinawa | 2014 (J3) | 4 | All cities/towns in Okinawa | 2019 | 4 | 2019–2022 | J3 |
| SC Sagamihara | 2014 (J3) | 1 | Sagamihara, Kanagawa | 2021 | 1 | 2021 | J3 |
| Sagan Tosu | 1999 | 13 | Tosu, Saga | 1994 | 18 | 1994–2011 | J1 |
| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 1993 (J) | 2 | Hiroshima, Hiroshima | 1984 | 7 | 2008 | J1 |
| Shonan Bellmare | 1994 (J) | 14 | Western cities/towns in Kanagawa | 1990/91 | 18 | 2017 | J1 |
| FC Tokyo | 1999 | 2 | Tokyo | 1991/92 | 10 | 2011 | J1 |
| Tokyo Verdy | 1993 (J) | 2 | Tokyo | 1972 | 10 | 2009–2023 | J1 |
| Urawa Red Diamonds | 1993 (J) | 1 | Saitama | 1989/90 | 2 | 2000 | J1 |
| Vissel Kobe | 1997 (J) | 2 | Kobe, Hyōgo | 1986/87 | 11 | 2013 | J1 |
| Zweigen Kanazawa | 2001 | 4 | Kanazawa, Ishikawa | 2001 | 8 | 2015–2023 | J3 |
- Pink background denotes clubs that were most recently promoted to J1 League.
- Gray background denotes club that was most recently relegated to J3 League.
- "Year joined" is the year the club joined the J.League (Division 2 unless otherwise indicated).
- "First season in D2", "Seasons in D2", and "Last Spell in D2" take into account all past incarnations of second-tier football: the second division of the Japan Soccer League and the former Japan Football League
External links[]
- (Japanese) J. League official website
- J. League official website
- (Japanese) Official YouTube channel
| 2025 J.League |
| 2025 J1 League |
|
Albirex Niigata · Avispa Fukuoka · Cerezo Osaka · Fagiano Okayama · Gamba Osaka · Kashima Antlers · Kashiwa Reysol · Kawasaki Frontale · Kyoto Sanga F.C. · FC Machida Zelvia · Nagoya Grampus · Sanfrecce Hiroshima · Shimizu S-Pulse · Shonan Bellmare · FC Tokyo · Tokyo Verdy · Urawa Red Diamonds · Vissel Kobe · Yokohama FC · Yokohama F. Marinos |
| 2025 J2 League |
|
Blaublitz Akita · Ehime FC · Fujieda MYFC · Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo · FC Imabari · Iwaki FC · JEF United Chiba · Júbilo Iwata · Kataller Toyama · Mito HollyHock · Montedio Yamagata · Oita Trinita · RB Omiya Ardija · Renofa Yamaguchi FC · Roasso Kumamoto · Sagan Tosu · Tokushima Vortis · V-Varen Nagasaki · Vegalta Sendai · Ventforet Kofu |
| 2025 J3 League |
|
AC Nagano Parceiro · Azul Claro Numazu · Fukushima United FC · Gainare Tottori · FC Gifu · Giravanz Kitakyushu · Kagoshima United FC · Kamatamare Sanuki · Kochi United · Matsumoto Yamaga FC · Nara Club · FC Osaka · FC Ryukyu · SC Sagamihara · Tegevajaro Miyazaki · Thespa Gunma · Tochigi City FC · Tochigi SC · Vanraure Hachinohe · Zweigen Kanazawa |
| Other Info |
| J.League Players (J1 League players · J2 League players · J3 League players) |
| Football in Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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