NTT JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE 2026-27
Division 2 and Division 3 Match Schedule and Venues Confirmed
Japan Rugby League One is pleased to announce that the match schedule and venues for Division 2 and Division 3 of NTT JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE 2026-27 have been confirmed.
The 2026-27 season will kick off on Saturday, 12 December 2026, with both Division 2 and Division 3 beginning their campaigns on the same day.
Division 2
Division 2 opens with a series of exciting fixtures.
Shimizu Corporation Koto Blue Sharks, who finished second last season after a remarkable campaign, will host Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi, the two-time defending Division 2 champions, at Yumenoshima Stadium in Tokyo. Both teams narrowly missed promotion to Division 1 through the promotion/relegation series last season, making this one of the standout opening-round matchups.
Fans can also look forward to the Osaka derby between Hanazono Kintetsu Liners and Red Hurricanes Osaka, as well as a clash between newly promoted clubs Mazda SkyActivs Hiroshima and Kawagoe Sayama Secom Rugguts.
Following the transfer of the club from NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu, JR East Green Warriors Tokatsu will begin their first League One season under their new ownership on Sunday, 13 December, hosting Kyuden Voltex at Kashiwanoha Park Stadium in Chiba.
Kawagoe Sayama Secom Rugguts are also scheduled to play the inaugural official match at the club's new home venue, Secom Rugby Stadium (official stadium name TBA), in Round 2.
Division 2 will feature eight teams competing in a double round-robin format. Each team will play 14 matches (seven home and seven away), for a total of 56 matches during the regular season.
■Click here for the DIVISION 2 match schedule（PDF）
Division 3
Division 3 also gets underway on Saturday, 12 December.
Nippon Steel Kamaishi Seawaves, competing in Division 3 following relegation from Division 2, will host Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions at Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium in Iwate.
League One newcomer AZ-COM Maruwa MOMOTARO'S (official team name TBA later in August) will make its League One debut in Round 2 at Kashiwanoha Park Stadium.
Division 3 consists of seven teams playing a double round-robin competition. Each team will play 12 matches (six home and six away), for a total of 42 matches.
Details regarding venues yet to be confirmed, kick-off times and broadcast information for Division 2 and Division 3 matches will be announced on the League One official website as they are finalised.
Ticket information will be available through the official website of each home team (the team listed first in the fixture) and through Ticket Rugby.
The match schedule and venues for Division 1 are currently being finalised, including stadium arrangements, and will be announced during August once confirmed.
