2020 Japan Football League


The 2020 Japan Football League is the eight season of the fourth tier in Japanese football, and the 22nd season since the establishment of Japan Football League.

Postponement of the beginning of the season

On February 27, Opening Game, Match day 2 were postponed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 16, it was announced Match day 3 would be postponed. On March 25, it was announced Match day 4, Match day 5 would be postponed.
On April 7, it was announced Match day 6 would be postponed.
On April 15 it was finally decided that only the second half of the season would be played beginning on the scheduled date, July 18. No promotions or relegations will happen and the winners and runners-up of the Japanese Regional Series will be automatically promoted, meaning that the 2021 season will be held with 18 clubs.
On June 24, announced to New dates. The league match for this season will start on July 18. Match day 16, Match day 17 and each home game opening game will be held as a without spectator match.

Clubs

Sixteen clubs will feature in this season of Japan Football League. There were some changes: FC Imabari got promoted after coming third in 2019, while Ryutsu Keizai Dragons was relegated after playing for five seasons in the category. Matsue City FC - who came second-last and were doomed to go back to Japanese Regional Leagues as well - avoided the drop thanks to FC Imabari going up to J3 League.
There are two new clubs in the JFL, debuting in this category after coming in the Top 2 in the 2019 Japanese Regional Series: Iwaki FC dominated the final stage, while Kochi United SC overcame the other two teams - Ococias Kyoto AC and Fukui United FC - to get the last spot for this season of JFL.
Club NameHome TownPositionNotes
Honda FCHamamatsu, Shizuoka1st2019 Champions
Miyazaki, Miyazaki6th
Iwaki FCIwaki, Fukushima RPS 1stWinners of TSL and 43rd RPS, 100 Year Plan-status
Kochi United SCKōchi, Kōchi RPS 2ndWinners of SSL and runners-up of 43rd RPS
Maruyasu OkazakiOkazaki, Aichi11th
Matsue City FCMatsue, Shimane15th
MIO Biwako ShigaKusatsu, Shiga9thApplied for 100 Year Plan-status
Nara ClubAll cities/towns in Nara14thNo more 100 Year Plan-status, but they hold a J3 license holders
Higashiōsaka, Osaka8th100 Year Plan-status
Aomori, Aomori13th100 Year Plan-status and J3 license holders
Sony SendaiTagajō, Miyagi2nd
Suzuka Point GettersSuzuka, Mie12thApplied for 100 Year Plan-status
Tegevajaro MiyazakiMiyazaki & Shintomi, Miyazaki5th100 Year Plan-status
Tokyo Musashino CityMusashino, Tokyo4th100 Year Plan-status and J3 license holders
Veertien MieAll cities/towns in Mie10th100 Year Plan-status
Verspah OitaYufu & Ōita, Ōita7th

Personnel and kits

League table