Japanese University Football 2026
University football is the second great road to the professional game in Japan. Many players who are not promoted from a J.League academy, and many who come through high school football clubs, spend four years at university and join J.League clubs at 22. This page explains how university football is organised, follows the two national competitions, and shows the current Division 1 table in all nine regions, updated twice a week from the regional federations' official results.
How university football is organised
There is no national university league. Each of the nine regional federations (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Hokushinetsu, Tokai, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu) runs its own league, and the strongest of them, Kanto and Kansai, are the top level in practice. They are older than the J.League: the Kanto University League plays its 100th season in 2026 and the Kansai Student League its 104th.
Most regions play a first half from April to July and a second half from September to November, with a break in August. Matches last 90 minutes, as in the professional game (most high school competitions use 80). Promotion, relegation and the places in the winter championship are decided when the leagues end in November.
Two national competitions sit on top of the leagues: the Prime Minister Cup (All Japan University Football Tournament) in late summer, a 32-team knockout, and the All Japan University Football Championship in winter, known in Japan as the "Incolle". The Prime Minister Cup winner goes straight into the final round of the winter championship. Universities also enter their second teams in the I-League, a separate competition for squad players.
The road to the professional game
University football is not a fallback for those who missed out at 18. Seven of the 26 players in Japan's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup played university football, and all seven came through high school football clubs rather than J.League academies.
| Player | High school | University |
|---|---|---|
| TANIGUCHI Shogo | Ohzu High School | University of Tsukuba |
| NAGATOMO Yuto | Higashi Fukuoka High School | Meiji University |
| WATANABE Tsuyoshi | Yamanashi Gakuin High School | Chuo University |
| ITO Junya | Zuyo High School | Kanagawa University |
| HAYAKAWA Tomoki | Toin Gakuen High School | Meiji University |
| UEDA Ayase | Kashima Gakuen High School | Hosei University |
| SHIOGAI Kento | Kokugakuin University Kugayama High School | Keio University |
In Kanto alone, the regional federation's official list shows 85 players from the class of 2025 joining J.League clubs (J1 to J3) or clubs abroad for the 2026 season. Players now also move abroad straight from university: SHIOGAI Kento left Keio University for NEC Nijmegen in the Netherlands in 2024.
A familiar story is the academy player who is not promoted at 18, goes to university and returns to his club four years later. SUWAMA Kosei came through the Yokohama F. Marinos academy and was registered with the first team while still at school, but was not offered a contract. He went to the University of Tsukuba and joined Yokohama F. Marinos for the 2026 season.
We list every university player who has agreed to join a J.League club for 2027, with the academy or high school each one came from: 2027 J.League signings from university (96 players).
National competitions
Prime Minister Cup 2026
The 50th Prime Minister Cup was played in Miyagi and Iwate from 2 to 12 September 2026. Ryutsu Keizai University won it, beating Kokushikan University 2-1 in the final on 12 September: their fourth title and first since 2014. The win also gives them a place in the final round of the winter championship.
All Japan University Football Championship (75th)
The winter championship runs from 28 November – 19 December 2026. University of Tsukuba won the 74th edition (2025), beating Kokushikan University 3-0 in the final: their tenth title, counting four won as Tokyo University of Education.
Full brackets, results and past winners are on our Japanese pages: 総理大臣杯2026 ・ インカレ.
Division 1 tables in all nine regions
The top division of each regional league. Every table is checked before it is published (points = 3 × wins + draws, games = wins + draws + losses, goal difference = goals for − goals against); a table that does not add up is left out rather than shown wrongly. Updated on Mondays and Thursdays. Lower divisions (Kanto and Kansai have three each) are on the Japanese page.
Hokkaido — Division 1 (8 teams, as of 26 July)
| Pos | University | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sapporo University | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 2 | +23 | 19 |
| 2 | Hokkaido University of Education (Iwamizawa) | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 27 | 8 | +19 | 15 |
| 3 | Tokai University (Sapporo Campus) | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 8 | +4 | 15 |
| 4 | Seisa Dohto University | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 10 |
| 5 | Hokusho University | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 8 |
| 6 | Hokkaido University | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 9 | -4 | 8 |
| 7 | Sapporo Otani University | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 25 | -20 | 4 |
| 8 | Hokkai-Gakuen University | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 25 | -22 | 1 |
Source: Hokkaido regional university football federation (Japanese).
Tohoku — Division 1 (8 teams, as of 8 October)
| Pos | University | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fuji University | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 6 | +28 | 29 |
| 2 | Sendai University | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 50 | 10 | +40 | 25 |
| 3 | Hachinohe Gakuin University | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 61 | 6 | +55 | 24 |
| 4 | Tohoku Gakuin University | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 62 | 10 | +52 | 18 |
| 5 | Higashi Nippon International University | 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 16 | 38 | -22 | 13 |
| 6 | Tohoku University | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 14 | -2 | 10 |
| 7 | Tohoku Institute of Technology | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 10 | 54 | -44 | 9 |
| 8 | North Asia University | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 108 | -107 | 0 |
Source: Tohoku regional university football federation (Japanese).
Kanto — Division 1 (12 teams, as of 3 October)
| Pos | University | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kokushikan University | 14 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 10 | +14 | 32 |
| 2 | Nihon University | 14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 23 | 21 | +2 | 24 |
| 3 | Chuo University | 14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 14 | +2 | 22 |
| 4 | Toyo University | 14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 13 | +0 | 22 |
| 5 | Nippon Sport Science University | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 27 | 26 | +1 | 19 |
| 6 | Meiji University | 14 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 16 | 17 | -1 | 19 |
| 7 | Hosei University | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 17 | 19 | -2 | 19 |
| 8 | University of Tsukuba | 14 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 17 | 16 | +1 | 17 |
| 9 | Waseda University | 14 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 21 | 23 | -2 | 17 |
| 10 | Toin University of Yokohama | 14 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 21 | 24 | -3 | 17 |
| 11 | Tokai University | 14 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 18 | 22 | -4 | 14 |
| 12 | Komazawa University | 14 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 14 | 22 | -8 | 14 |
Source: Kanto regional university football federation (Japanese).
Hokushinetsu — Division 1 (8 teams, as of 8 October)
| Pos | University | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matsumoto University | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 7 | +27 | 22 |
| 2 | Niigata University of Health and Welfare | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 39 | 7 | +32 | 21 |
| 3 | Kanazawa Gakuin University | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 29 | 9 | +20 | 20 |
| 4 | Hokuriku University | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 14 | +10 | 17 |
| 5 | Niigata University of Management | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 18 | -5 | 10 |
| 6 | Niigata University | 9 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 37 | -29 | 7 |
| 7 | Niigata Sangyo University | 9 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 28 | -18 | 6 |
| 8 | Kanazawa University | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 6 | 43 | -37 | 0 |
Source: Hokushinetsu regional university football federation (Japanese).
Tokai — Division 1 (12 teams, as of 8 October)
| Pos | University | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tokai Gakuen University | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 50 | 10 | +40 | 38 |
| 2 | Tokoha University | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 39 | 8 | +31 | 38 |
| 3 | Chukyo University | 15 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 41 | 15 | +26 | 34 |
| 4 | Shizuoka Sangyo University | 15 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 31 | 16 | +15 | 29 |
| 5 | Yokkaichi University | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 44 | 20 | +24 | 28 |
| 6 | Chubu University | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 42 | 41 | +1 | 18 |
| 7 | Aichi Toho University | 15 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 22 | 37 | -15 | 18 |
| 8 | Nagoya Sangyo University | 15 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 23 | 37 | -14 | 17 |
| 9 | Aichi Gakuin University | 14 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 19 | 36 | -17 | 11 |
| 10 | Gifu Kyoritsu University | 15 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 17 | 40 | -23 | 10 |
| 11 | Nihon Fukushi University | 15 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 12 | 46 | -34 | 8 |
| 12 | Meijo University | 15 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 12 | 46 | -34 | 2 |
Source: Tokai regional university football federation (Japanese).
Kansai — Division 1 (12 teams, as of 8 October)
| Pos | University | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyoto Sangyo University | 15 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 35 | 12 | +23 | 36 |
| 2 | Kwansei Gakuin University | 15 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 31 | 19 | +12 | 30 |
| 3 | Kansai University | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 32 | 17 | +15 | 25 |
| 4 | Doshisha University | 15 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 25 | 20 | +5 | 24 |
| 5 | Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences | 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 22 | 13 | +9 | 23 |
| 6 | St. Andrew's University (Momoyama Gakuin) | 15 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 22 | 26 | -4 | 23 |
| 7 | Hannan University | 15 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 25 | 34 | -9 | 21 |
| 8 | Biwako Seikei Sport College | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 25 | 29 | -4 | 19 |
| 9 | Ritsumeikan University | 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 16 | 20 | -4 | 17 |
| 10 | Osaka Gakuin University | 15 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 17 | 19 | -2 | 16 |
| 11 | Konan University | 15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 16 | 20 | -4 | 14 |
| 12 | Osaka University of Commerce | 15 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 8 | 45 | -37 | 2 |
Source: Kansai regional university football federation (Japanese).
Positions calculated by u18-soccer.com from the federation’s match results (points, then goal difference, then goals scored; the federation’s own tie-breakers may differ).
Chugoku — Division 1 (10 teams, as of 4 October)
| Pos | University | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | International Pacific University | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 95 | 9 | +86 | 45 |
| 2 | Hiroshima University of Economics | 15 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 49 | 13 | +36 | 36 |
| 3 | Hiroshima University | 15 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 41 | 19 | +22 | 35 |
| 4 | Fukuyama University | 15 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 29 | 29 | +0 | 25 |
| 5 | Shunan University | 15 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 22 | 26 | -4 | 24 |
| 6 | Hiroshima Shudo University | 15 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 25 | 30 | -5 | 21 |
| 7 | Hiroshima Bunka Gakuen University | 15 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 22 | 35 | -13 | 13 |
| 8 | Fukuyama Heisei University | 15 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 19 | 39 | -20 | 13 |
| 9 | Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare | 15 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 16 | 62 | -46 | 8 |
| 10 | Yamaguchi University | 15 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 10 | 66 | -56 | 1 |
Source: Chugoku regional university football federation (Japanese).
Shikoku — Division 1 (6 teams, end of the first half of the season)
| Pos | University | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kochi University | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 2 | +12 | 13 |
| 2 | Shikoku Gakuin University | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 11 |
| 3 | Takamatsu University | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 6 | +18 | 10 |
| 4 | St. Catherine University | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 13 | -4 | 4 |
| 5 | Matsuyama University | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 22 | -14 | 3 |
| 6 | Ehime University | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 22 | -16 | 1 |
Source: Shikoku regional university football federation (Japanese).
Kyushu — Division 1 (10 teams, as of 3 October)
| Pos | University | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fukuoka University | 12 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 44 | 6 | +38 | 33 |
| 2 | Nippon Bunri University | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 29 | 16 | +13 | 26 |
| 3 | National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 29 | 16 | +13 | 23 |
| 4 | Kyushu Sangyo University | 12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 26 | 16 | +10 | 23 |
| 5 | Japan University of Economics | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 21 | 20 | +1 | 19 |
| 6 | Kyushu International University | 12 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 26 | -12 | 15 |
| 7 | Miyazaki Sangyo-Keiei University | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 22 | 19 | +3 | 14 |
| 8 | Kyushu Kyoritsu University | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 23 | -13 | 11 |
| 9 | Seinan Gakuin University | 12 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 13 | 34 | -21 | 6 |
| 10 | Kumamoto Gakuen University | 12 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 7 | 39 | -32 | 1 |
Source: Kyushu regional university football federation (Japanese).
Notes
University names follow each university’s own English usage (for example St. Andrew’s University for 桃山学院大学, and the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya for 鹿屋体育大学). Player names are shown in English only where the JFA, the J.League or the club has published an official spelling.
See also: how youth football works in Japan ・ players turning professional from high schools and academies.