The Emperor's Cup JFA 102nd Japan Football Championship final will take place at Nissan Stadium on Sunday 16 October.

With the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, in which the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) will participate in, starting in November, the Emperor's Cup is being scheduled earlier than usual this year.

The final will be played between Ventforet Kofu (J2) and Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J1). Kofu, who have reached the final for the first time in the club's history, will of course be looking for their first Emperor's Cup title. Hiroshima won the Emperor's Cup three times during the days of their predecessor club, Toyo Kogyo, but since the start of the J.League, they have reached the final five times, finishing runners-up on each occasion.

Kofu’s road to the final has not been easy, as they had to win four matches in a row against J1 clubs. The only match they won by more than two goals was against Sagan Tosu (J1), and in the semi-finals, they defended their one goal lead against the fierce attacks of Kashima Antlers (J1). Kofu have lost their most recent league match by a single goal, after outshooting their opponent 17-7. They will certainly try to make the most of this experience to be more result oriented when they face Hiroshima this weekend.

Hiroshima have been competing at the top of the league under Head Coach Michael SKIBBE, who has taken over the team this season, instilling a high intensity style in both offence and defence. In the semi-finals, they won over Kyoto Sanga FC (J1), who advocate a similar style of football. Since the start of the J.League, Hiroshima have lost in the Emperor's Cup final on five occasions, as well as two League Cup finals. Ahead of the 2022 J.League YBC Levain Cup final, which is scheduled to take place in the weekend following the Emperor's Cup final, the club will be looking to make history with a win over Kofu. Four former Kofu players, including SASAKI Sho, who has grown into a national team player, and NOTSUDA Gakuto, who played for Kofu until last season, will also give Hiroshima a boost with their desire to “return the favour” by showing their former club how much they have improved as a player.

Please stay tuned for the final, where a new history will be made.

Emperor's Cup JFA 102nd Japan Football Championship

【1st Round】Sat. 21, Sun. 22 May [Backup date: Mon. 23 May]
【2nd Round】Wed. 1, Wed. 8 June
【3rd Round】Wed. 22 June [Backup date: Wed. 29 June]
【Round of 16】Wed. 13, Wed. 20 July]
【Quarterfinals】Wed. 7 September［Backup date: Wed. 28 September］
【Semi-Finals】Wed. 5 October
【Final】Sun. 16 October

Tournament Information