The Meiji Yasuda J.League’s introduction of The Kokuritsu Day for the 2024 season has been a smashing success in the early going.

Massive crowds have filled the Japan National Stadium for games featuring reigning J1 champions Vissel Kobe, traditional giants Yokohama F·Marinos, Kashima Antlers and Urawa Reds, and capital clubs FC Machida Zelvia, FC Tokyo, and Tokyo Verdy.

The first Kokuritsu Day featured Verdy’s return to J1 for the first time since 2008 and Fuki Yamada’s fabulous free kick had them on their way to a famous victory before F·Marinos scored in the 89th minute and then again in stoppage time to snag a stunning three points.

The blue and red side of the capital made the National Stadium their home for the next two Kokuritsu Days as FC Tokyo delivered matchdays to remember at the famous stadium.

Ryotaro Araki and Kuryu Matsuki stole the spotlight against Urawa Reds as the #NextGenJLEAGUE stars shone bright in a 2-1 win.

Four days later FCT rolled to yet another victory as Teruhito Nakagawa and Riki Harakawa scored in a 2-0 victory over Kashima.

Vissel and Zelvia were the next to walk onto the National Stadium pitch in a highly-anticipated duel between last year’s champions and this year’s top team. It was the experienced side from Kobe who reigned supreme with Kakeru Yamauchi and Yoshinori Muto netting in a 2-1 victory.

The grand stage in Tokyo was the setting for the clash of the J.League’s biggest giants too, as eight-time champions Kashima met five-time winners F·Marinos. The match lived up to the hype, with Antlers riding three second-half goals to a 3-2 win that took them joint top of the league on points as they chase their first J1 title since 2016.

With so many great performances, in front of some magnificent crowds, all on Japan’s biggest stage, these Kokuritsu Days have delivered in every way, and it’s not yet done. There are still seven more scheduled for 2024, bringing the J.League’s best to the National Stadium for matchdays you won’t want to miss.

Remaining Kokuritsu Days:

• Sunday, June 16 (KO 14:00) - Vissel Kobe vs. Kawasaki Frontale
• Saturday, July 13 (KO 19:00) - FC Tokyo vs. Albirex Niigata
• Saturday, July 20 (KO 18:00) - FC Machida Zelvia vs. Yokohama F·Marinos
• Saturday, August 24 (KO 19:00) - Yokohama F·Marinos vs. Cerezo Osaka
• Saturday, August 31 (KO 18:00) - FC Machida Zelvia vs. Urawa Reds
• Saturday September 14 or Sunday September 15 (KO TBD) - FC Tokyo vs. Nagoya Grampus
• Saturday, November 9 (KO TBD) - FC Machida Zelvia vs. FC Tokyo