Watch live J-League matches live or on demand in Australia

Asia’s most recognized football league is set to resume in February. The J-League, aka the J1 League, features 18 of Japan’s top teams, all vying for the chance to become champions and earn places in the AFC Champions League.

Kawasaki Frontale is the current title holder, but is expected to be pushed all the way by Avispa Fukuoka, Gamba Osaka and Urawa Red Diamonds.. Find out how to watch matches live or later on demand in Australia here.

2022 J-League schedule

If you love watching football, these live J-League fixtures will definitely make you want to play. Check out the dates and kick-off times for upcoming matches below, all available to watch live on Optus Sport.

Where to watch the J1 League in Australia

Optus Sport holds the exclusive broadcast rights for the J League until the end of the 2022 season. That’s up to four games per round available on their streaming platform and streaming app. You can also watch full game replays with Optus on demand at a time of your choosing after each game.

Watch the J-League live with Optus Sport

An existing Optus customer watches the J-League on Optus Sport at no additional cost if they have an eligible phone or internet plan. The majority of post-paid Optus plans include access to Optus Sports, but you’ll need to check with the provider first.

If you’re not a current Optus mobile or broadband customer, fear not. You can watch everything Optus Sport has to offer, from the EPL and WSL to the J-League, the upcoming UEFA Women’s Euros, with a monthly contract that can be canceled at any time. The monthly plan costs $14.99, or you can enjoy an annual plan for $139.00. There are currently no Optus Sports free trial offers to watch the J League.

Where to gosee J League highlights

Optus Sport has created a full range of sports streaming replay options to keep J-League fans up to date with all the action around the clock. No matter how much time you have, you’ll find a replay to suit you with the Optus Sport app and on-demand play options.

First, there’s the full match replay, the full 90 minutes of select matches available after the live stream. Plus, many replays stay online for weeks, meaning you can go back and visit memorable games at your leisure.

Streaming device options to watch Optus Sport

Here are the best live TV devices to experience Optus Sport whether you’re at home or on the go.

J League 2022 – how the season works

The 2022 J League competition, aka the J1 League, sees 18 teams play each other twice (once at home and once away) from February to November. The team that finishes top of the J League table at the end of the season automatically qualifies for the AFC Champions League group stages. Teams that finish second and third enter the AFC Champions League qualifying stage.

At the other end of the scale, the last two teams are relegated to the J2 League. The team that finishes in 16th place faces the winners of the J2 League playoffs to stay in the top flight.

National teams are represented throughout the J-League, with a host of players playing at the highest level for Japan, Korea and Australia. Socceroos national team players like Adam Taggart (Cerezo Osaka), Thomas Deng (Urawa Red Diamonds) and Mitchell Langerak (Nagoya Grampus) are all plying their trade in the J1 League.

The best teams in the J League

Here we’ve handpicked a few teams from the J1 League who will be chasing honors at the end of the season.

front kawasaki

2021 J-League champions Kawasaki Frontale play their home matches at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium. They have won the J-League four times in the past five years under manager Toru Oniki. Leandro Damiao is their main star man. The Brazilian ended the 2021 season as the league’s MVP, finishing co-top scorer with 23 goals.

Avispa Fukuoka

One of the most popular underdogs for 2022 is Avispa Fukuoka. They have never won a J League title but have built a team that can handle a challenge. They’ve only been in the J League for a season, but an eighth-place finish last year and a promising squad have led many to believe they can go all the way, even if the stats are against them.

Kashima wood

Winning the J-League eight times means Kashima Antlers have remained one of Japan’s most consistent and successful teams. Their last title was in 2016, but they still remain close to the top of the ladder. You simply cannot write them off in 2022.

Gamba Osaka

Gamba Osaka has won the J League three times and is constantly pushing for honors every season. This year many believe they are going all the way, but they will have to put behind them the consistency issues they struggled with last season.

J-League 2022 ladder

After each weekend, this J League ladder will be updated, letting you know who is striving to become champions of 2022.

Team/Position	Games	Points
front kawasaki	0	0
Yokohama F Marinos	0	0
Vissel Kobe	0	0
Kashima wood	0	0
Nagoya grandfather	0	0
Urawa Red Diamonds	0	0
Sagan Tosu	0	0
Avispa Fukuoka	0	0
FCTokyo	0	0
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo	0	0
Sanfrecce Hiroshima	0	0
Cerezo Osaka	0	0
Gamba Osaka	0	0
SHimizu S-Pulse	0	0
Kashiwa Reysol	0	0
Shonan Bellmare	0	0
Tokushima Vortis	0	0
Oita Trinita	0	0
Vegalta Sendai	0	0
FC Yokohama	0	0

Other football to watch after the J1 League

Looking for more football to watch? Here are a few other leagues you might be interested in until the next round of the J-League, all available to watch live with TV streaming subscriptions and streaming services in Australia.