An international forum where J.LEAGUE
and European clubs meet to shape the future of football together.
and European clubs meet to shape the future of football together.
About J.League Forum
In summer 2026, several J.LEAGUE clubs will hold pre-season
training camps in Europe in line with J.LEAGUE’s new season calendar.
This Forum brings together J.LEAGUE, J.LEAGUE clubs,
and sporting directors, scouts, technical leaders and senior
executives from European clubs to discuss the future of football in Japan and Europe.
Purpose of the Forum
1
DISCOVER
DISCOVER
J.LEAGUE
To deepen understanding of J.LEAGUE’s growth potential and the market value of Japanese players.
2
CONNECT WITH
CONNECT WITH
DECISION MAKERS
To provide high-quality networking and direct dialogue between J.LEAGUE clubs and European club decision-makers.
3
EXPLORE FUTURE
EXPLORE FUTURE
OPPORTUNITIES
To explore concrete collaboration opportunities, including club partnerships, marketing initiatives and player-related projects.
Forum Sessions
The Value of J.LEAGUE and its Global Development
Launched in 1993, J.LEAGUE has grown into Asia’s leading league,with clubs winning multiple AFC Champions League titles and competing at the FIFA Club World Cup.
J.LEAGUE has also produced many players who have succeeded in Europe’s top leagues, including Kaoru Mitoma, Takumi Minamino and Takefusa Kubo.
With its new season calendar, J.LEAGUE aims to further expand globally and strengthen its status among the key leagues in world football.
SPEAKER
J.LEAGUE Chief Strategy Officer
Kentaro Nakamura
Panel Discussion
The Future of J.LEAGUE and the Creation of Player Value
GUEST SPEAKER
Chairman, J.LEAGUE
Yoshikazu Nonomura
GUEST SPEAKER
President and CEO, Gamba Osaka
Naohito Mizutani
GUEST SPEAKER
J.LEAGUE Global Football Advisor
Roger Schmidt
GUEST SPEAKER
President, J.LEAGUE Europe
Yusuke Akiyama
Forum Overview
The Forum will take place in central Salzburg, with easy access from the Innsbruck area in western Austria,
where several clubs will be based for their training camps.
On the same day, shortly before the Forum,
a friendly match between Gamba Osaka and Red Bull Salzburg is scheduled
at a pitch around 10 minutes by car from the venue hotel.
- Location
- Salzburg, Austria
- Date and Time
- Wednesday 15 July 2026 18:30–21:30
- Venue
- IMLAUER Hotel Pitter Salzburg
- Organizer
- J.LEAGUE
- Event Partner
- Association of Sporting Directors
- Program
-
・Presentation
・Panel Discussion
・Networking Session
- Target Participants
-
・Sporting directors, technical directors, scouts and other sporting department staff
・Senior club executives
・Around 30 representatives from J.LEAGUE and J.LEAGUE clubs
・Representatives from European clubs
Linked to J.LEAGUE Clubs’ European Camps
Around the same period as the Forum, the following J.LEAGUE clubs will hold pre-season training camps in Europe.
This will be a valuable opportunity for Japanese and European clubs to connect both on and off the pitch.
SHIMIZU S-PULSE
GAMBA OSAKA
FAGIANO OKAYAMA
V-VAREN NAGASAKI
PRACTICE MATCH SCHEDULE
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