Challenge League Promotion Play-offs Format and Schedule

Nine teams have been given permission to enter the Challenge League promotion play-offs for the 2015 season.

Six teams will be automatically promoted, with two more competing against the two sides finishing bottom in the Challenge League this year.

The nine teams vying for entry are:

Norddea Hokkaido (relegated in 2011)
Tsukuba FC Ladies
Yokohama FC Seagulls
Yamato Sylphid
Niigata University of Health and Welfare
NGU Nagoya FC Ladies
Diosa Izumo FC
Mashiki Renaissance Kumamoto (relegated in 2010)
Je Vrille Kagoshima (relegated in 2013)

The nine teams have been divided into three groups, shown below. The teams will play each other once in a round-robin tournament over the weekend of November 1st to 3rd.

The top two teams in each group gain automatic promotion. The three bottom sides form another group at the conclusion of the first stage and again play a round-robin tournament over the following weekend.

The two sides finishing bottom of the Challenge League this season (Bunnys Kyoto SC and Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades) will then play off against the two teams finishing in the top two positions in the second mini-tournament to determine the final two sides to compete in the 2015 Challenge League season.


Group A:
Niigata University of Health and Welfare
Yokohama FC Seagulls
Mashiki Renaissance Kumamoto

Group B:
Yamato Sylphid
NGU Nagoya FC Ladies
Diosa Izumo FC

Group C:
Tsukuba FC Ladies
Je Vrille Kagoshima
Norddea Hokkaido