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J.League has revised the J.League Distribution Regulations for the 2026/27 season following approval at today’s Board of Directors meeting and introduced the Camp Support Distribution and U-21 J.League Distribution. J.League also decided to allocate a total of ¥8.05 billion through the Equal Distribution, which is distributed equally to all clubs within each division, representing an increase of ¥650 million from the 2025 season. In addition, a total of ¥550 million will be allocated through the ACL Support Distribution to support clubs participating in AFC competitions in the 2026/27 season, representing an increase of ¥500 million from the amount allocated for the 2025/26 AFC competitions.
J.League has also determined the standard payment amounts for the Vision Enhancement Distribution for the 2026/27 season, under which a total of approximately ¥2.16 billion is scheduled to be distributed, as set out below.
1. Introduction of New Distributions for the 2026/27 Season
・Camp Support Distribution
The Camp Support Distribution has been introduced to help cover the increase in training camp costs incurred by J.League clubs as a result of the transition to the new season calendar. It will provide support for the additional training camp costs expected to be incurred by eligible clubs in regions affected by snowfall, mainly during the period in which official matches are held in December, as well as for the off-season training camp costs incurred by all clubs. A total of ¥4 billion will be distributed over the five seasons from 2026/27 to 2030/31, including ¥1 billion in the 2026/27 season. Following distributions to eligible clubs in regions affected by snowfall, the remaining amount will be distributed on a weighted basis according to whether clubs compete in J1, J2 or J3.
※Eligible clubs in regions affected by snowfall for the 2026/27 season
J2: Sapporo, Hachinohe, Sendai, Akita, Yamagata, Niigata, Toyama
J3: Fukushima, Matsumoto, Nagano, Kanazawa, Tottori
・U-21 J.League Distribution
The U-21 J.League Distribution has been introduced to support player development at clubs participating in the U-21 J.League. Revenue generated through business activities associated with the U-21 J.League will be distributed equally among the 11 participating clubs. For the 2026/27 season, a total of ¥60.5 million will be distributed, with each club receiving ¥5.5 million.
2. Determination of the Standard Payment Amounts for the 2026/27 Season Vision Enhancement Distribution
In November 2022, J.League announced its new growth strategy centred on two growth themes (Note 1). In 2023, the league also revised the J.League Distribution Regulations, gradually shifting from a distribution structure focused on Equal Distribution to one that places greater emphasis on results-based distributions linked to sporting performance and growth in the fan base, while making targeted investments in initiatives that support the creation of those results. The distribution structure for the 2026/27 season continues to follow these principles. A total of approximately ¥2.16 billion has been allocated for the Vision Enhancement Distribution to be paid during the 2026/27 season, covering the period from July 2026 to June 2027. Candidate clubs for the Vision Enhancement Distribution are clubs that finish first to third in the final standings of the 2024 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE, first to tenth in the final standings of the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE, first to tenth in the final standings of the MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE Special Season, first to tenth in the 2025 season Fan Index rankings, or first to tenth in the 2026 Special Season Fan Index rankings. Clubs selected as candidates for the Vision Enhancement Distribution will be confirmed as recipients in November following the review and approval of their Vision Enhancement Distribution Utilisation Plans.
(Note 1) J.League’s New Growth Strategy and Organisational Reform
2026/27 Season Vision Enhancement Distribution Eligibility
■ Sporting Performance
Eligibility based on the final standings of the 2024 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE (J1 clubs ranked 1st–3rd) – Table 1
Eligibility based on the final standings of the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE (J1 clubs ranked 1st–10th) – Table 2
Eligibility based on the final standings of the MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE (J1 clubs ranked 1st–10th) – Table 3
■ Fan Index
Eligibility based on the 2025 season Fan Index rankings (DAZN viewership and related metrics, 1st–10th) – Table 4
Eligibility based on the 2026 Special Season Fan Index rankings (DAZN viewership and related metrics, 1st–10th) – Table 5
2026/27 Season Vision Enhancement Distribution Standard Payment Amounts
※Candidate clubs are scheduled to be determined at the August 2026 Board of Directors meeting.
※Clubs finishing first to third in the final standings of the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE and clubs finishing first to third in the final standings of the MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE will each become eligible to receive the Vision Enhancement Distribution for the 2027/28 season.
3. Other Distributions and Prize Money for the 2026/27 Season
・ACL Support Distribution
A total of ¥550 million will be distributed through the ACL Support Distribution, comprising ¥100 million for each of the five clubs participating in the AFC Champions League Elite, regardless of whether they qualify through a direct or indirect slot, and ¥50 million for the club participating in the AFC Champions League Two.
※For the 2025/26 season, ¥12.5 million was distributed to each of the four clubs participating in AFC competitions.
・Equal Distribution
The total amount distributed through the Equal Distribution will be increased by ¥650 million from the 2025 season to ¥8.05 billion.
The standard payment amount per club will be ¥275 million for J1 clubs, compared with ¥250 million in 2025; ¥105 million for J2 clubs, compared with ¥100 million in 2025; and ¥22.5 million for J3 clubs, compared with ¥20 million in 2025.
※The above amounts include equal distributions from media rights fees, as well as all other club support payments distributed equally according to the number of clubs, including academy support funding.
・Fan Index Distribution
A total of ¥1 billion will be distributed through the Fan Index Distribution.
※The above amount relates only to the Fan Index-based distribution. No distribution based on Annual Viewing Pass sales will be made for the 2026/27 season, as ¥540 million covering the combined 2026 Special Season and 2026/27 season, equivalent to one and a half seasons, was distributed during the 2026 Special Season.
・League Business Cooperation Distribution
A total of ¥320 million will be distributed through the League Business Cooperation Distribution, compared with ¥180 million in the 2025 season.
・Media Rights Distribution
No changes have been made to the distribution policy for the Media Rights Distribution.
・Merchandising Rights Distribution
No changes have been made to the distribution policy for the Merchandising Rights Distribution.
・toto Grant (Single-Match Sports Lottery)
No changes have been made to the distribution policy for the toto Grant.
・Prize Money
※Prize money for the newly established U-21 J.League has been added.
2026/27 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE: ¥480 million
2026/27 MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE: ¥35 million
2026/27 MEIJI YASUDA J3 LEAGUE: ¥7.5 million
2026/27 J.League Yamazaki Biscuits Levain Cup: ¥240 million
2026/27 U-21 J.League: ¥3.5 million
(Reference) J.League Distribution Regulations
