Why Now? — A Historic Turning Point
J.League is entering a major new era in 2026.
For over 30 years, the J.League season ran from February to December. Starting from the 2026/27 season, J.League will switch to an autumn-to-spring calendar — beginning in August and ending in May the following year. This is the same structure used by most top European leagues.
Because of this change, the first half of 2026 (February to June) has been designated a “Special Season.” J.League does not want this period to feel like a quiet off-season. Instead, it has planned a series of events to say thank you to everyone who has supported the league throughout its 33-year history.
The grand finale of this Special Season is the J.LEAGUE ALL-STAR DAZN CUP.
Basic Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | J.LEAGUE ALL-STAR DAZN CUP |
| Date | Saturday, June 13, 2026 |
| Venue | MUFG Stadium (Japan National Stadium), Tokyo |
| Title Partner | DAZN |
| Broadcast | DAZN (all matches live) |
| Number of Matches | 7 matches in total |
| Match Length | 30 minutes per match (no extra time) ※ The third-place and fifth-place playoff matches are 20 minutes |
What Does “17 Years” Mean?
J.League held an All-Star Game every year from 1993 to 2007. The format was an East vs. West match between selected players from across the league. In 2008 and 2009, the format changed: a J.League All-Star XI faced an All-Star XI from South Korea’s K League.
After 2009, the All-Star Game was discontinued. This year’s event marks its return — the first time in 17 years.
There is another important point. In the past, only players from J1 — the top division — could participate in the All-Star Game. This time, players from all 60 clubs across J1, J2 (second division), and J3 (third division) are eligible. This has never happened before in the event’s history.
A New Format — Regional All-Star Teams
The biggest change in this tournament is how the teams are put together.
There is no East vs. West format this time. Instead, six regional All-Star teams will compete in a knockout tournament. The six regions follow the same geographic groupings used in the Meiji Yasuda J.League Hyakunen Koso League — a special pre-season league competition held during the Special Season.
The Six Teams
J1 Division (Top Flight)
- J1 EAST All-Stars Kashima Antlers, Mito HollyHock, Urawa Red Diamonds, Chiba, Kashiwa Reysol, FC Tokyo, Tokyo Verdy, Machida Zelvia, Kawasaki Frontale, Yokohama F·Marinos
- J1 WEST All-Stars Shimizu S-Pulse, Nagoya Grampus, Kyoto Sanga, Gamba Osaka, Cerezo Osaka, Vissel Kobe, Fagiano Okayama, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Avispa Fukuoka, V-Varen Nagasaki
J2/J3 Division (Second and Third Divisions)
- J2/J3 EAST-A All-Stars
- J2/J3 EAST-B All-Stars
- J2/J3 WEST-A All-Stars
- J2/J3 WEST-B All-Stars
How the Tournament Works
- Preliminary Round: The four J2/J3 teams play two matches. The two winners advance.
- Semi-finals: J1 EAST All-Stars vs. J2/J3 Winner A. J1 WEST All-Stars vs. J2/J3 Winner B.
- Final: The two semi-final winners play for the title.
- A third-place match and a fifth-place match are also held.
The J1 sides are the top-flight teams, but the path to the title is open to J2 and J3 players too. And honestly, that alone makes this tournament worth watching — the chance of a real upset is built right into the format.
How Are Players Selected? — The Power of Fan Voting
Players are chosen through three methods.
① Fan Vote
This is the most important selection method. Voting runs every week from February to May 2026. Fans can vote in three ways:
- At the stadium on match days (in-stadium voting)
- Through DAZN while watching matches (viewer voting via DAZN)
- By registering for a J.League ID (the official J.League fan account)
Fans from all over the world can vote through DAZN. This is what makes the event truly global.
② Regional Best XI
The top-performing players from each regional group are selected.
- J1 division: 11 players per group × 2 groups
- J2/J3 division: 11 players per group × 4 groups
③ League Nominations
J.League can add extra players to balance positions and squad numbers.
Important note: Players selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (held in North America) will not be available for this event. Some of Japan’s biggest international stars may be absent. But that also gives other talented J.League players a chance to step into the spotlight.
What to Expect on Match Day — The Stadium Experience
The matches are just one part of the event. On June 13 at the Japan National Stadium, fans can also enjoy:
- Player events and fan interaction activities
- Live music performances by artists
- A special stadium food festival
J.League’s stadium food culture is one of its most loved features. At most J.League home grounds, you can eat local specialties from that club’s city or region — and the quality and variety are some of the best you will find at any football stadium in the world. A special all-star version, bringing together the best stadium food from clubs across Japan, is something to look forward to.
Why 2026 Is Special — Two Football Celebrations at Once
June 13, 2026 falls right in the middle of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. DAZN plans to broadcast all 104 World Cup matches. Football excitement in Japan — and around the world — will be at its highest point.
The J.League All-Star Game takes place right in the middle of all that energy. For football fans everywhere, this is a rare chance to enjoy both the world’s biggest tournament and one of Asia’s most exciting leagues at the same time.
What This Means — J.League’s Next Chapter
The J.LEAGUE ALL-STAR DAZN CUP is more than a celebration event.
In a historic year when J.League moves to an autumn-to-spring calendar — matching the structure of major European leagues — the best players from all 60 clubs across all three divisions will come together in one place. Fans around the world can vote for the players they want to see. Anyone with DAZN can watch it live.
This is the moment J.League takes a clear step from being “a Japanese league” to being “a league open to the world.”