NTT Japan Rugby League One Division One 2026-2027 Fixtures Released

The NTT Japan Rugby League One Division One 2026-2027 fixtures were released, with all matches taking place from Saturday, December 12, 2026, until the playoff tournament final on Sunday, June 6, 2027.

The Division 1 (D1) for the 2026-27 season will feature the same 12 teams as last season, with each team playing 18 games. Of the 11 teams they will face, each team will play against 7 teams twice and against 4 teams once, said the JRLO.

The matchups are based on the final standings of the 2024-25 season (two seasons prior) to ensure that no particular team is favoured. 

There are dozens and dozens of new player signings and coach changes across the three divisions of the JRLO, and we will bring news of those closer to the time of the season getting underway.

Most clubs have also announced preseason fixtures and the JRLO Rising, which is played in late September – October.

Japan Rugby League One Division One 2026-2027 Fixtures

The opening round of the 2026-27 D1 season sees the defending champions Kobelco Kobe Steelers (with a new coaching team) host Toyota Verblitz at Noevir Stadium Kobe in their opening match, while Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath (4th last season) and Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo (5th last season) face off in the opening round.

Photo Credit – JRLO

Tochigi Honda Heat, which has moved its base of operations to Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture and changed its team name for the 2026-27 season, will play against Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo at Honda Heat Green Stadium, while the Kanagawa Derby will be held at Sagamihara Gion Stadium between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars and Yokohama Canon Eagle. Both teams are based in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Kubota Spears Funabashi/Tokyo Bay, who were runners-up for second for the second consecutive season, will take on Shizuoka Blue Revs, and Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights will host Urayasu D-Rocks at Kumagaya Sports Culture Park Rugby Stadium.

Urayasu D-Rocks also confirmed they will host games at MUFG Stadium (National Stadium) on Friday, January 22nd (Round 6) and Friday, February 5th (Round 7), the first time that a regular-season JRLO game will be held at the MUFG Stadium. The National Stadium was renovated in 2019.

Urayasu D-Rocks also confirmed they will host games at MUFG Stadium (National Stadium) in JRLO D1 2026-2027

JRLO 2026-27 D1 Format – No More Conferences

Under a previous conference system in the JRLO D1, 12 teams initially played 16 games (2 games against 5 teams from the same conference and 1 game against 6 teams from other conferences). 

Since the 2024-25 season, this has changed to 12 teams playing 18 games (2 games against 5 teams from the same conference, 2 games against 2 teams from other conferences, and 1 game against 4 teams),

The conference system has now been eliminated as part of a developmental process.

The organisers said, “We will continue to consider the tournament format, including the number of games and teams, to realise a complete host & visitor system where all teams play 2 games each.”

Details regarding the venues, kickoff times, tickets and broadcast schedules will be announced in due course.

JRLO News

• Japan Rugby League One Amends Proposed Player Categories – Outlines Updated Eligibility for 2026-2027 Season
• Japan Rugby League One Rising 2026 Details Confirmed.
• JRLO 2026-2027 Season Will Kick Off on December 12.
• Kobelco Kobe Steelers Win First Japan Rugby League One Title.