Soccer Betting - Japan League History

History - Facts - Teams - Winners

Important Facts

• In 2005, the J. League expanded to 18 J1 teams once again, promoting the top two J2 teams automatically.

• Regarding aspects such promotion and relegation tend to follow a pattern familiar to European clubs; the two bottom clubs of J1 and the top two clubs of J2 are guaranteed to move.

• On the J2 clubs promotion depends on the clubs meeting the requirements for J1 franchise status, in terms of revenue, player contracts, youth academy, and stadium capacity.

• Promotion to J2 from the JFL has tended to be more ad-hoc in nature, given the disparity in nature between the two leagues. In 2000, 2001, and 2006 the JFL league champion was promoted to J2; in 2005 two teams were promoted (as explained below). There is no provision as of 2006 for relegation from J2 to the JFL.

• For the 2006 season, the top two J2 teams and bottom two J1 teams in 2005 again were automatically promoted or relegated.