Regina (purple) and Leonessa (white and black) in action in last year’s Empress’s Cup quarter-finals. Source.

It’s the 47th Empress’s Cup final, played at the Japan National Stadium. The women’s cup final takes over the New Year’s Day time slot that was the property of the men’s cup from 1969 till 2021. Leonessa have been to the final ten times and won seven times. This is Regina’s first appearance. Coincidentally this is the 47th match of the tournament.

Match No. 47: INAC Kobe Leonessa 1 – 2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina

Japanese football is making the switch from a summer schedule to a winter one, the better to fit into the international tournaments and give Japanese players easier access to foreign jobs. This change has been in the works for a few years. When the women’s WE League started in 2021 they knew the change was coming and went straight to the winter format. J1, J2, J3 and the JFL will make the change in June.

How did the 2025 season play out? Kashima Antlers won the J1 title. They and 2nd-place Kashiwa Reysol advance to the next AFC Champions League Elite. 6th-place Machida Zelvia won the Emperor’s Cup and advance to AFC Champions League Two. Sanfrecce Hiroshima won the Super Cup and the J League Cup. Yokohama FC, Shonan Bellmare and Albirex Niigata are relegated to J2.

Mito HollyHock, V-Varen Nagasaki and JEF United Chiba are promoted to J1. Roasso Kumamoto, Renofa Yamaguchi and Ehime FC are relegated to J3.

Tochigi City, Vanraure Hachinohe and Tegevagaro Miyazaki are promoted to J2. Azul Claro Numazu are relegated to the JFL.

Reilac Shiga are promoted to J3. Asuka FC are relegated from the JFL to the Kansai League. Atletico Suzuka are relegated from the JFL to the Tokai League. J-Lease and Vonds Ichihara are promoted to the JFL.

The WE League is ongoing, with INAC Kobe Leonessa currently leading. Loveledge Nagoya won Nadeshiko 1. Speranza Osaka are relegated to Nadeshiko 2. Vonds Ichihara Ladies are promoted to Nadeshiko 1. FC Imabari Ladies are relegated from Nadeshiko 2. Renofa Yamaguchi Ladies are promoted to Nadeshiko 2.