J-League launches 2026 season with new WINNER betting tickets and Docomo Oshi J uniform campaign

The 2026/27 Meiji Yasuda J‑League season opens on 7 August 2026, marking the league’s first autumn‑spring schedule. The Japan Sports Promotion Agency (JSC) has begun selling the "WINNER" sports‑lottery, offering single‑match bets on every J1, J2, J3 and Levain Cup fixture, as well as competition‑winner predictions. A portion of the proceeds will fund sports‑development grants and support J‑League and B‑League clubs.

NTT Docomo announced a parallel "Oshi J" campaign to celebrate the opening. From 3 August, new player‑design uniform skins for 29 clubs will be released through the d‑point app, and a series of point‑earning and ticket‑giveaway promotions will run through August 2026‑June 2027. The campaign has already raised over ¥100 million in support funds for clubs.

Both initiatives aim to boost fan engagement and channel lottery revenues into Japanese sport infrastructure and club development.