Emperor’s Cup (Japan) 2026/27

The Emperor’s Cup All Japan Football Championship stands as the national football cup competition of Japan, organized by the Japan Football Association (JFA). Founded in 1921, the tournament predates the professional era of Japanese football and serves as the premier domestic cup in the Japanese football pyramid. It differs from the J.League Cup, which is restricted exclusively to J.League member clubs. The Emperor’s Cup is an open tournament, allowing participation from all registered teams in Japan, including J1, J2, and J3 professional clubs, Japan Football League (JFL) teams, corporate amateur teams, and university clubs.

The current format involves 88 teams in the final tournament, played over seven rounds in a single-elimination knockout system. Teams from the J.League typically enter in the second round, while amateur and university teams must qualify through 47 prefectural tournaments, with winners entering the first round. The competition is notable for its 'giant-killing' potential, where amateur teams occasionally defeat professional sides. The winner qualifies for the AFC Champions League Elite and the Japanese Super Cup.

Historically, Keio BRB (the football club of Keio University) is the most successful club with 9 titles, followed by Urawa Red Diamonds with 8 titles among professional clubs. Other notable winners include Yokohama F. Marinos and Kwansei Gakuin University, each with 7 titles. The current champion is Machida Zelvia, who won their first title in the 2025 edition (105th tournament), having succeeded Vissel Kobe (2024 winner). The competition has no direct promotion/relegation links to the league system, which is determined separately by the J.League.