Welcome to /r/jleague, Reddit's home of Japanese soccer!

We tend to get a lot of posts asking the same exact questions, and in order to cut down on frequently repeated posts we urge everyone to write their inquiries in here — after reading through the FAQ.

Any submissions related to questions covered in this FAQ will be removed and locked. This FAQ will be updated as needed, especially if there are developments related to English-language ticketing or broadcasts.

I live in ________, how can I watch the J.League?

The J.League streams around two (2) J1 games per round in English on its International YouTube Channel. This stream is not available if you live in a country with an existing broadcaster, some of which also broadcast J2, J3 and Levain Cup games.

To keep track of which games are being streamed, follow the league's English Twitter and Instagram accounts.

I'm traveling to Japan, which game should I watch?

The J.League's schedule is available in full on its English-language website. Once you've checked out which games are happening during your visit, ask in this thread if you have specific questions about certain fixtures.

How can I buy tickets for a J.League game in English?

The J.League offers tickets for some teams — but not all — on its English-language ticketing page.

CLUBS OFFERING TICKETS IN ENGLISH (as of Feb. 1, 2025): Consadole Sapporo, FC Tokyo, Tokyo Verdy, Machida Zelvia, Kawasaki Frontale, Yokohama F. Marinos, Nagoya Grampus, Gamba Osaka, Cerezo Osaka

Tickets to all clubs are purchasable through the J.League's Japanese-language ticketing website. In the past, Yokohama F. Marinos prepared an English-language guide (link is to archived PDF) for navigating the system; it can also be used to purchase tickets for other J1, J2 and J3 clubs.

Tickets generally go on sale to the general public around 2-4 weeks before matchday; policies vary between teams and you should check their websites as well as the J.League's ticketing site to confirm. In most cases, tickets will be issued via QR code, though some may require that you print tickets at a convenience store.

Can I buy tickets at the stadium on matchday?

In most cases it's usually possible to buy tickets on the day of the game, especially at J2 and J3 clubs as well as the WE League and lower divisions.

However, some clubs have gotten rid of 'day-of' sales during the pandemic and encourage fans to purchase tickets online, even on matchday. Additionally, key matches such as derbies at smaller stadiums are likely to sell out in advance.

If you really want to make sure you can attend your game of choice, consider using a ticketing service or your credit card concierge.

How do I get to the stadium?

Nearly all J.League stadiums are reasonably accessible via public transit. Many are walkable from the nearest train station while some may require an additional bus/shuttle.

Check the home team's website (or Google "(home team or home stadium) access") for more information. Google Maps will give accurate train information but will not show information for matchday shuttles.

Worst case, get to the correct train station early (3 hours before kickoff), find a supporter in uniform and follow them!

How can I buy tickets to a Samurai Blue game?

National team tickets are usually sold through several rounds of lotteries with limited general sales closer to the match, making them harder to acquire for foreign visitors. You should definitely make a friend in Japan or use a proxy/concierge service.

I went to a game and had an amazing time!

That's not a question but we're glad to hear it! If you've attended a game, we encourage you to post about your experience, especially if you've taken photos.

Where can I buy a J.League uniform (from outside Japan)?

J.League uniforms are expensive compared to European clubs, limited and run smaller in size. If you're looking for a current shirt, contact a proxy service like JLeagueShirts on Twitter; if you're looking for something vintage check out Jerseum and other similar shops.

Where can I buy a J.League uniform or other merch inside Japan?

SS Kamo is the country's biggest soccer goods retailer and has a number of locations across Japan. Vintage Sports is the most well-known spot for secondhand uniforms.

Each club sells merchandise at their home stadium; many clubs also have designated team shops in their hometown.

Uniform sales can be very finicky due to limited supply. There are no guarantees that clubs will have uniforms available at the stadium, especially if you need a larger size.

Which J.League club should I support?

Whichever you decide strikes your fancy, seriously. That's it, that's the trick. It's really easy to look up information about each club and find their highlights on YouTube; consider it part of your journey into J.League fandom.

What sub-specific rules should I keep in mind?

• No fantasy/NFT/crypto/gambling content allowed
• No illicit activities (especially wrt. bootleg uniforms or pirated broadcasts)
• It's okay to banter, it's not okay to be a dickhead; the same rules against racism, homophobia and sexism that apply anywhere else on Reddit also apply here
• No excessive posting/spamming

Inspired by the iconography of Japan’s Street Fighter video game, Kaoru Mitoma: Game Over! is Dogma’s loving tribute to the man with feet of god, beautiful incredible technique, and the deadliest KOs in world football.

A selectable character to thankful Albion managers for more than four years, Kauro is much-loved in Japan but nobody adores him more than the people of Brighton and now we can collectively demonstrate that adoration with a stunning mural in central Brighton.

Painted January ‘25 Kaoru Mitoma: Game Over! was commissioned to and painted by Brighton-based artists Snub23 and Sprite.

Source

Recently I attended FC Tokyo vs Kawasaki Frontale (back in AUG) on my trip to Japan. I made friends with a few fans, and have a soft spot for the club now.

I'm thinking, I could start up an English fan blog for the club - is there any already, and would this work?

Would love to hear thoughts.

EDIT; Thanks for all the opinions! I'm working on this now :D

What's the most popular sport in Japan nowdays? Still baseball or now is football? Or both at the same time? Only japaneses answer this or people who lived or live in Japan.

I'm going to Osaka soon and want to potentially see Cerezo Osaka train as it may be my only chance to see my favourite player of all time as I won't be staying long enough for the season to start. Other than their Twitter and Team Website are there any other resources to know about any other potential times to see the team?

Hey everyone,

I know it’s a bit of a long shot, but does anyone know if there’s any way to watch WE League games in the US? I figure there probably isn’t a straightforward option, but I thought I’d ask just in case someone knows a workaround or platform that streams them.

Thanks in advance!

Traveling to Tokyo from Okinawa in the next month and looking to buy some older JLeague teams jerseys as a number of teams have changed their logos, and not for the better on my opinion.

I have been to Kamo, Alpen/Sports Depo, and vintage sports in Shibuya, which is small and the owner is kind of weird.

ASide from these stores, are their any other places besides the vintage sports in Machida or Harujuka that sell older JLeague team uniforms?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QeXbG-qNW8

One of the major characteristics of Japanese sports is that, apart from club teams, almost all high schools have their own teams.

In the case of football, there are around 3,800 high school teams, and every year a huge tournament is held in which all of them take part. The final of this tournament was held yesterday at the National Stadium. There were 58,347 spectators.

Incidentally, only 16 players from these 3,800 teams will be recruited by J League teams this year.

Hi guys! I saw this insta story from JFA and was wondering what it was. If I had to guess it would be a stickerbook, which would be sick. And was wondering if I could possibly get it outside of Japan?

I'm heading to Gamba Osaka v Shimizu S-Pulse in March and was wondering if there were any bars or areas where Gamba Osaka fans congregate before or after the match? Keen to soak up the atmosphere with fans.

Last year there seemed to be quite a few J1 matches held at National Stadium especially early in the season. Will there be any this year and if so, when will they be announced? The schedule doesn't seem to show that there will be.

I am wanting to decorate my room with football stickers. I see them at grounds and in public, but every time I look them up, all I am getting are panini stickers or the same eBay listings which aren't what I am looking for. I am looking for stickers of all different clubs, leagues and confederations. Where would I be able to get Japanese or other Asian football stickers? Any advice would be much appreciated. :D

We purchased a Nagoya Grampus osechi for New Years Day and it came with, what we assume, is a signature from someone related to the team. Can anyone help us identify who it might be? Thank you and Happy New Year!

https://preview.redd.it/dokwdyqeyb8e1.png?width=688&format=png&auto=webp&s=e9716afec56a0dbdbe4169ccc6ec32990c006531

https://preview.redd.it/pffvwypfyb8e1.png?width=724&format=png&auto=webp&s=24648222e0a77b5b844a08d3b567ca4347a489ee

https://preview.redd.it/430l4k6gyb8e1.png?width=724&format=png&auto=webp&s=e712d5cea73da5b8bab5c917b6d67ca67ec201b0

https://preview.redd.it/huss2algyb8e1.png?width=733&format=png&auto=webp&s=c191576f5b72ed42d79c8b1c3270763fc6a16120

Heard on a podcast that the japanese B team is strong enough to qualify for the wc qualifiers so I made it up to the D team. Let me know if this is true and any player who should be promoted/relegated and anyone ive missed

Now that the J-League is in full transfer season, does anyone know of a website that shares and brings together the transfers of each team?

https://aboutj.jleague.jp/corporate/en/pressrelease/post.php?code=abdb2412-098d-4f56-867c-6d02b4bda08e