Urawa Reds The U-21 J-League (tentative name) is a tournament for players under the age of 21, established for the purpose of developing and strengthening players in the post-youth (19-21 years old) and related age groups.

Tournament Concept】※As of May 27, 2025/possible change in the future
(1) Outline
Name: U-21 J League (tentative name)
All games will be held with spectators and broadcast on the Internet at Trial.
Various relaxations will be provided until around the 2027/28 season (player age, Trial venue, etc.)

(2) Dates
Start in the 2026/27 season
Starts around August/September and ends around April
Basically, the tournament will be held from Saturday to Monday.

(3) Tournament format
Two leagues, one for East and one for West
Home-and-away (2 Trial) + home or away with other league (1 Trial) format within the same league
Playoffs will be held for the top teams from each league.

(4) Tournament Regulations
Maximum number of entries: 18 (maximum number of substitutions: 7)
(However, as with the top teams, players of affiliated nationalities will not be treated as foreign nationals.)
Manager's license: A general is required.
Overage (OA) quota
OA quota: -Two types: OA with no age limit and U-23 OA for 22- and 23-year-olds.
-Ideally, up to 3 OA + 3 U-23 OA by the third season (2028/29).
-In the first year (2026/27 season), the following criteria will be used
Recommended criteria: up to 3 OA + 4 U-24 OA (each club will organize its team according to this criterion)
Mandatory criteria: up to 6 OA + up to 4 U-24 OA (must be met)
*In Trial where the recommended standard is not met, the team concerned shall be obliged to have 4 starting U-21 players.

(5) Trial Venue
In the 2026/27 season, all of the above criteria are recommended criteria and are not mandatory to be met
Recommended criteria
-Natural turf or hybrid turf approved by the J-League
-Changing rooms, team doctor treatment environment, etc.
-Attendees (preferably in the main/back stands)
-Able to install cameras for Trial broadcast in appropriate locations
-Able to install partner signage in appropriate locations
In case these criteria cannot be met, the event will be approved in advance by the Executive Committee (tentative) of participating clubs from the viewpoint of whether the event can achieve its objectives.


Participating clubs】(Total 11 clubs)
Urawa Reds / FC Tokyo / Tokyo Verdy / Kawasaki Frontale / Shimizu S-Pulse / Jubilo Iwata / Nagoya Grampus / Gamba Osaka / Vissel Kobe / Fagiano Okayama / V-Varen Nagasaki

*J League
Decision to create "U-21 J-League" - 2 leagues, East and West, to start in 2026/27 season, 11 clubs to participate.
https://www.Jleague.Jp/news/article/30985/