The J.League Cup (Japanese: Jリーグカップ, Hepburn: Jē-rīgu-kappu) is a Japanese football (soccer) competition organized by J.League. It has been sponsored by Yamazaki Biscuits (YBC) of Yamazaki Baking (formerly Yamazaki Nabisco) since its inception in 1992. It is also known as the J. League YBC Levain Cup (Japanese: JリーグYBCルヴァンカップ) or Levain Cup (Japanese: ルヴァンカップ、ルヴァン杯) (Levain is one of YBC's products). It was known as the J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup (Japanese: Jリーグヤマザキナビスコカップ) or Nabisco Cup (Japanese: ナビスコカップ、ナビスコ杯) until August 2016.
It is generally regarded as the Japanese equivalent to league cup competitions played in many countries, such as the Football League Cup in England, as complementary to the Emperor's Cup competed between clubs from all divisions of professional football in Japan. Before the J. League Cup was created, the old Japan Soccer League had its own Japan Soccer League Cup since the 1976 season.
The tournament format varies almost each year largely depending on the schedule of international matches such as the Olympic Games and World Cup games (see the Format section below).
Since 2007, the winners are qualified for the J.League Cup / Copa Sudamericana Championship held in the following summer.
Seasons
2024 | 2023 | 2022 |