The J.League has announced the 2023/24 J.LEAGUE ASIA CHALLENGE in THAILAND.
This event has been held four times since 2017 in J.League partner countries as part of the J.League Asia Strategy. This fifth edition of the competition will be held in Thailand, which formed an inter-league partnership in 2012 and has held many football exchange projects to date, including the Asia Challenge in 2017, 2019, and 2022.
The 2023/24 J.LEAGUE ASIA CHALLENGE in THAILAND will take place across two matchdays: One in December 2023, following the conclusion of the J.LEAGUE campaign, and the other during the 2024 preseason in February.
The J.LEAGUE’s participating clubs in those matches will be Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, which has national star Supachok Sarachat in its squad and has seen its popularity in Thailand soar in recent years, and Cerezo Osaka, which is actively expanding its business in Thailand.
Please note that undetermined information regarding sponsorship and other details will be announced separately.
－ FURTHER INFORMATION －
■Tournament Name: 2023/24 J.LEAGUE ASIA CHALLENGE in THAILAND
■Organizers: Japan Professional Football League (J.LEAGUE)
Thai League
■Sponsors: To Be Determined (TBD)
| DATE | KICK-OFF TIME (*in local time) | MATCHUP | STADIUM |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 9th, 2023 | TBD | Muangthong United vs. Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo | Thunderdome Stadium |
| February 2nd, 2024 | TBD | BG Pathum United vs. Cerezo Osaka | BG Stadium |
※ All match schedule details subject to change.
■Venue Details: Thunderdome Stadium (Nonthaburi province, approx. 30 minutes by car from Bangkok)
BG Stadium (Pathum Thani province, approx. 40 minutes by car from Bangkok)
■Participating Clubs: Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo (10th place in 2022 Meiji Yasuda J1 League)
Cerezo Osaka (5th place in 2022 Meiji Yasuda J1 League)
Muangthong United (4th place in 2022/23 Thai League)
BG Pathum United (9th place in 2022/23 Thai League)
■Broadcast Information: TBD. Broadcast information in Japan and Thailand will be announced separately.
■Thai League Club Introduction
Muanthong United
Established in 1989, Muangthong is traditionally known as one of Thailand’s strongest football clubs, having won the Thai League on four occasions. The club finished 4th place in the 2022/23 Thai League campaign and plays at the Thunderdome Stadium, a football-specific ground that is only 30 minutes from Bangkok and frequently filled with the club’s enthusiastic fans. In 2021, Muangthong announced a partnership with J.League club Urawa Reds and is actively interacting with Japanese football, including sending Thai national team player Ekanit Panya on loan to Urawa for the 2023 season.
Official website - Muangthong United
Official Facebook - Muangthong United
BG Pathum United
Originally established as Bangkok Glass F.C., the club’s name was changed to BG Pathum United in the 2019 season. Shortly thereafter, the club won its first league title in the 2020/21 season. Since 2012, BG Pathum has had a partnership agreement with Cerezo Osaka and there is active knowledge exchange between the two clubs. In July 2023, Thai star Chanathip Songkrasin, who played for seven seasons in the J.League, joined the team on a permanent transfer, further solidifying their connection to Japanese football. BG Pathum has advanced to the AFC Champions League knockout stages the past two seasons, in 2021 and 2022, including making the quarterfinals in last season’s edition.
※Press coverage details will be announced separately.
