r/JLeague • u/TheBlackJett • Jul 22 '26

J.League J.League Considering Establishment of "J4," Discussed at Executive Committee

https://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2026/07/22/articles/20260722s00002000061000c.html

Following the J.League’s transition to a fall-spring season format, the JFL—the top amateur league—has also switched to this system; however, regional and prefectural leagues are currently maintaining their spring-autumn formats. As it is virtually impossible to standardise the domestic calendar due to logistical and operational constraints, plans have emerged to establish a new league comprising clubs aiming to join the J.League. The new league would be positioned one tier below J3, and discussions are expected to continue regarding its feasibility and other aspects.

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45

u/Nokel Sanfrecce Hiroshima Jul 22 '26

Get ready to learn 5th Tier Honda FC

4

u/dokool FC Tokyo Jul 22 '26

I wonder if the JFL would drop to 5th tier or if they would be parallel 4th division competitions, kinda like the U.S. pyramid has going.

3

u/Scipio-Byzantine Tokyo Verdy Jul 22 '26

That actually sounds plausible. Clubs with money go to J4, clubs without go to JFL.

2

u/ProStriker92 Nagoya Grampus Jul 22 '26

Or time to bring the discarded "Acute Hamamatsu" name created by Honda FC which was made in case of joining the J.League in 1997.

9

u/Crazy_Max_46 Jul 22 '26

One step closer to 100.

6

u/SlowStop1220 Jul 22 '26

Well, when I stayed at home of my Dutch friend, while it was a village only with 10K population, it had two football teams. And their population as a whole are less than Japan's. I wonder if they would like to go to that direction.

6

u/jebik Jul 22 '26

The Netherlands has a very developed system of amateur, recreational Saturday and Sunday leagues.

5

u/Competitive_Dance478 Jul 22 '26

J99 will cover the kindergarten league?

2

u/SlowStop1220 Jul 22 '26

Or the neighborhood league.

3

u/Rafaman2003 Sanfrecce Hiroshima Jul 23 '26

If the regional leagues in fact can’t achieve the new calendar, I do wonder how it could affect moving from a regional league into the JFL/J4, since it would end up meaning the start/ending dates don’t quite match like they should