J-League Cup (Japan) 2026/27

The J.League Cup has been a fixture of Japanese professional football since 1992, when the governing body first established the tournament. It operates independently of the tiered league structure, serving as a domestic knockout competition for the country's top professional side.

Participation rules shifted significantly in 2024. All 60 clubs across the J1, J2 and J3 divisions now enter the fray. The competition begins with a first stage where 57 teams are divided into 10 groups based on their performance in the previous season. These are single-leg elimination matches. The 10 group winners progress to a two-legged play-off round. The five victors from that phase join three clubs that received byes, typically those qualified for the AFC Champions League knockout stage, in the prime stage knockout phase. The semi-finals are two-legged ties, culminating in a single match at a neutral venue.

This tournament is distinct from the Emperor's Cup. While that older competition is organized by the Japan Football Association and includes amateur and regional teams, the J.League Cup is restricted to professional clubs. The current reigning champion is Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who secured their second title in 2025 by defeating Kashiwa Reysol. They previously won the tournament in 2022. Kashima Antlers hold the record for the most victories, with six titles won between 1997 and 2015.

Sponsorship history defines the tournament's official name. From its inception until August 2016, it was known as the J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup. Since that date, the competition has been branded as the J.League YBC Levain Cup following a partnership with Yamazaki Biscuits.