Japan Rugby League One Rising 2026 Details Confirmed

The JRLO has announced that Japan Rugby League One Rising 2026 will take place again after it was introduced last season to support player development and provide valuable match opportunities.

The Japanese rugby union league said that the tournament also helps identify the next generation of talented rugby players. “Through participation in Japan Rugby League One Rising, we hope clubs will discover and develop new talent, further strengthening both their squads and the continued growth of rugby in Japan.”

There are 21 competing teams split into three Divisions; the new AZ-COM MARUWA MOMOTARO’S, set to join JRLO in the 2026–27 season, are also set to feature.

JRLO Rising 2026

• There are no registration or eligibility restrictions based on player category, but each team is required to include at least five players who have made 15 or fewer official Japan Rugby League One appearances in its matchday squad.
• JRLO Rising (see the schedule) will feature a unique Player of the Match award. After each match, the game captain of each team will select one player from the opposing team who they believe delivered the most outstanding performance.
• There will be 21 matches in total running from 26th September until 3rd October 2026.

Division 1

• Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay
• Kobelco Kobe Steelers
• Shizuoka BlueRevs
• Tochigi Honda Heat
• Toyota Verblitz
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamaihara Dynaboars
• ROCOH BlackRams Tokyo

Division 2

• Kawagoe Sayama SECOM Rugguts
• Kyushudenryoku Kruden Voltex
• JR East Green Warriors Tokatsu
• Toyota Industries Corporation Shuttles Aichi
• Hanazono Kintetsu Liners
• Mazda Skyactivs Hiroshima
• RedHurricanes Osaka

Division 3

• AZ-COM MARUWA MOMOTARO’S
• Kurita Water Gush Akishima
• Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions
• Nippon Steel Kamaishi Seawaves
• Hino Red Dolphins
• Yakult Levins Toda
• LeRIRO Fukuoka

JRLO News

• JRLO 2026-2027 Season Will Kick-Off On December 12.
• Kobelco Kobe Steelers Win First Japan Rugby League One Title.
• JRLO Global Footprint Shows In National Team Selections.
• Japan Rugby League One Rising Launches in September 2025.