The J.League on Friday announced its opening slate of matches for the 2018 MEIJI YASUDA J1, J2 and J3 League seasons.

In a first, the opening match of the J1 season will take place on Friday, February 23, between Sagan Tosu and Vissel Kobe.

This will mark the start of a new strategy to hold regular Friday-night matches in an effort by the J.League to attract new fans and provide new forms of weeknight entertainment to local communities.

Kickoff times and the full season schedule will be announced on Thursday, January 24.

The following are the scheduled home openers for the 2018 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League:

Friday, February 23 (Round 1)

Sagan Tosu vs. Vissel Kobe (Best Amenity Stadium)

Saturday, February 24 (Round 1)

FC Tokyo vs. Urawa Reds (Ajinomoto Stadium)
Shonan Bellmare vs. V-Varen Nagasaki (BMW Stadium)
Gamba Osaka vs. Nagoya Grampus (Suita Stadium)
Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs. Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo (Edion Stadium)

Sunday, February 25 (Round 1)

Vegalta Sendai vs. Kashiwa Reysol (Yurtec Stadium)
Shimizu S-Pulse vs. Kashima Antlers (IAI Stadium Nihondaira)
Jubilo Iwata vs. Kawasaki Frontale (Ecopa Stadium)
Cerezo Osaka vs. Yokohama F. Marinos (Yanmar Stadium Nagai)

Friday, March 2 (Round 2)

Kashiwa Reysol vs. Yokohama F. Marinos (Kashiwa Stadium)*
Kawasaski Frontale vs. Shonan Bellmare (Todoroki Stadium)

Saturday, March 3 (Round 2)

Kashima Antlers vs. Gamba Osaka (Kashima Stadium)
Nagoya Grampus vs. Jubilo Iwata (Toyota Stadium)
Vissel Kobe vs. Shimizu S-Pulse (Noevir Stadium)
V-Varen Nagasaki vs. Sagan Tosu (Transcosmos Stadium)

Saturday, March 4 (Round 2)

Urawa Reds vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Saitama Stadium)

Saturday, March 10 (Round 3)

Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo vs. Shimizu S-Pulse (Sapporo Dome)
Yokohama F. Marinos vs. Sagan Tosu (Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium)