Japan Rugby League One is pleased to announce that Japan Rugby League One Rising 2026, a competition designed to support player development and provide valuable match opportunities, will be held for the second consecutive year.
Further details, including kick-off times, spectator information, and competition regulations, will be announced in due course.
About Japan Rugby League One Rising
Launched in 2025, Japan Rugby League One Rising is a competition aimed at providing valuable playing opportunities for emerging players and those with limited game time, while also identifying the next generation of talented rugby players.
The name "Rising" reflects the competition's purpose. It symbolizes growth, progress, and future potential, representing League One's commitment to creating opportunities for players to develop and take the next step in their careers, while contributing to the future of both Japan Rugby League One and Japanese rugby as a whole.
Through participation in Japan Rugby League One Rising, we hope clubs will discover and develop new talent, further strengthening both their squads and the continued growth of rugby in Japan.
■Competition Title
JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE RISING
■Logo
Competition Overview and Match Venue Announcement
Japan Rugby League One Rising places a strong emphasis on providing meaningful development opportunities for players. While there are no registration or eligibility restrictions based on player category, each team is required to include at least five players who have made 15 or fewer official Japan Rugby League One appearances in its matchday squad.
In addition, the competition will feature a unique Player of the Match award. After each match, the game captain of each team will select one player from the opposing team who they believe delivered the most outstanding performance.
■Teams：
*The new team name and emblem for AZ-COM MARUWA MOMOTARO’S, set to join in the 2026–27 season, will be announced at a later date.
■Fixture（tentative）
Week | Date | KO | Host |
| Visitor | Venue |
| 26/9/2026 | 14:00 | Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions | vs | KOBELCO KOBE STEELERS | Chugoku Electric Power Saka Ground (Hiroshima) |
Week1 | 26/9/2026 | 12:00 | SHIZUOKA BlueRevs | vs | TOYOTA VERBLITZ | YAMAHA Okubo (Shizuoka) |
| 26/9/2026 | TBC | HINO RED DOLPHINS | vs | NIPPON STEEL KAMAISHI SEAWAVES | HINO MOTORS GROUND (Tokyo) |
| 3/10/2026 | 12:00 | HANAZONO KINTETSU LINERS | vs | Kubota Spears Funabashi TOKYO-BAY | Hanazono Rugby Stadium 2nd Ground (Osaka) |
| 3/10/2026 | TBC | RICOH BlackRams Tokyo | vs | Kyushudenryoku KyudenVoltex | RICOH Ground (Tokyo) |
Week２ | 3/10/2026 | 13:00 | Toyota Industries Corporation Shuttles Aichi | vs | SHIZUOKA BlueRevs | Toyota Industries Corporation Aizuma Ground (Aichi) |
| 4/10/2026 | 14:00 | AZ-COM MARUWA MOMOTARO’S* | vs | KAWAGOE SAYAMA SECOM RUGGUTs | JUBE Sport-Field NAKADAI (Chiba) |
| 4/10/2026 | TBC | LeRIRO Fukuoka | vs | MAZDA SKYACTIVS HIROSHIMA | Kurume Sports Centre Athletics Stadium (Fukuoka) |
| 10/10/2026 | TBC | RedHurricanes Osaka | vs | HANAZONO KINTETSU LINERS | Hanazono Rugby Stadium 1st Ground (Osaka) |
| 10/10/2026 | 14:00 | KOBELCO KOBE STEELERS | vs | LeRIRO Fukuoka | Miyazaki Prefectural Outdoor Training Centre (Miyazaki) |
Week３ | 10/10/2026 | TBC | Kyushudenryoku KyudenVoltex | vs | Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions | JAPAN BASE (Fukuoka) |
| 10/10/2026 | TBC | RICOH BlackRams Tokyo | vs | JR EAST GREEN WARRIORS TOKATSU | RICOH Ground (Tokyo) |
| 11/10/2026 | 13:00 | Kubota Spears Funabashi TOKYO-BAY | vs | TOCHIGI Honda HEAT | JUBE Sport-Field NAKADAI (Chiba) |
| 11/10/2026 | 12:00 | NIPPON STEEL KAMAISHI SEAWAVES | vs | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars | Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium (Iwate) |
Week４ | 17/10/2026 | TBC | JR EAST GREEN WARRIORS TOKATSU | vs | Kurita Water Gush Akishima | Inzai City Matsuyamashita Park Athletic Stadium (Chiba) |
| 17/10/2026 | 12:00 | Yakult Levins Toda | vs | Toyota Industries Corporation Shuttles Aichi | Yakult Toda Ground (Saitama) |
Week５ | 25/10/2026 | TBC | MAZDA SKYACTIVS HIROSHIMA | vs | Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions | Balcom BMW Rugby Stadium (Hiroshima) |
| 31/10/2026 | TBC | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars | vs | RedHurricanes Osaka | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Ground (Kanagawa) |
Week６ | 31/10/2026 | 13:00 | TOCHIGI Honda HEAT | vs | KAWAGOE SAYAMA SECOM RUGGUTs | (tentative name) Honda HEAT Utsunomiya Ground (Tochigi) |
| 31/10/2026 | 12:00 | TOYOTA VERBLITZ | vs | HINO RED DOLPHINS | TOYOTA Sports Centre (Aichi) |
| 31/10/2026 | 13:00 | Kurita Water Gush Akishima | vs | Yakult Levins Toda | Kurita Water Gush Akishima Ground (Tokyo) |
