Support for Clubs Participating in AFC Club Competitions in the 2026/27 Season

J.League, in collaboration with the Japan Football Association (JFA), has finalised the support package for clubs participating in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2026/27 (ACL Elite) and the AFC Champions League Two™ 2026/27 (ACL Two). The two competitions are collectively referred to below as the AFC Club Competitions, and the participating clubs as AFC Club Competition clubs.

【Outline of Support for AFC Club Competition Clubs】

① ACL Support Distribution【J.League】
・Clubs participating in the ACL Elite will each receive ¥100 million, while the club participating in the ACL Two will receive ¥50 million.
＊The total allocation has been increased from ¥50 million in the 2025/26 season to ¥550 million.

② Support for Travel Expenses【J.League】
・Up to two outbound charter flights will be arranged for clubs advancing to the ACL Elite Finals (centralised tournament from the quarter-finals onwards).
・ACL Elite
League Stage/Round of 16: 40% of travel expenses
Finals: 20% of return travel expenses

・ACL Two
Group Stage/Round of 16: 40% of travel expenses
Quarter-finals onwards: 20% of travel expenses

・ACL Elite Preliminary Stage
Gamba Osaka will receive ¥10 million in support for participating in the ACL Elite Preliminary Stage.
※Scheduled to play Gangwon FC (Korea Republic) away at Gangneung Stadium on 11 August 2026.
＊Newly introduced for the 2026/27 season.

③ Victory Bonus【JFA】
・Payments will be made to clubs that progress to each subsequent stage of the competition.

④ Support for Promotional Activities【J.League】
・Support of ¥3 million per home match to help increase attendances.
＊Up to ¥15 million per ACL Elite club and ¥18 million per ACL Two club.

⑤ Support for Football Operations【J.League】
・Coordination of domestic competition schedules
All clubs will cooperate to ensure, wherever possible, a minimum of three days between AFC Club Competition matches and domestic fixtures.
Domestic matches may be rescheduled between the first and second legs of the ACL Elite Round of 16.
・Provision of analytical data, sharing of scouting footage and video editing support.

⑥ Operational Support【JFA/J.League】
・Dispatch of Local General Coordinators (LGCs)
＊LGCs coordinate preparations and overall match operations for home fixtures in accordance with AFC regulations and guidelines, working closely with AFC Match Commissioners, both participating clubs and other relevant parties. This is an official AFC-appointed role.
・Dispatch of Local Media Officers (LMOs)
＊LMOs coordinate media operations, including press conferences and broadcast-related preparations for home fixtures, in accordance with AFC regulations and guidelines, working closely with media representatives, broadcasters, both participating clubs and other relevant parties. This is an official AFC-appointed role.
・Coordination with the AFC and support for player and official registration procedures.