2006 J.League Division 1

The 2006 J.League Division 1 season was the 14th season since the establishment of the J.League Division 1. It began on March 4 and ended on December 2.

General

Promotion/relegation

• At the end of the 2005 season, Kyoto Purple Sanga, Avispa Fukuoka, and Ventforet Kofu were promoted to J1.
• At the end of the 2005 season, Kashiwa Reysol, Tokyo Verdy 1969, and Vissel Kobe were relegated to J2.
• At the end of the 2005 season, Ehime FC was promoted to J2.

Changes in competition format

• The Division 2 was expanded to 13 clubs.
• In games that require extra time in case of a tie (i.e. two-legged league cup games) away goals rule is adopted.

Changes in clubs

none

Honours

Clubs

The following eighteen clubs participated in J.League Division 1 during 2006 season. Of these clubs, Kyoto Purple Sanga, Avispa Fukuoka, and Ventforet Kofu were newly promoted clubs.

• Albirex Niigata
• Avispa Fukuoka
• Cerezo Osaka
• FC Tokyo
• Gamba Osaka
• JEF United Ichihara Chiba
• Júbilo Iwata
• Kashima Antlers
• Kawasaki Frontale
• Kyoto Purple Sanga
• Nagoya Grampus Eight
• Oita Trinita
• Omiya Ardija
• Sanfrecce Hiroshima
• Shimizu S-Pulse
• Urawa Red Diamonds
• Ventforet Kofu
• Yokohama F. Marinos

Personnel

Foreign players

Format

Eighteen clubs will play in double round-robin (home and away) format, a total of 34 games each. A club receives 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. The clubs are ranked by points, and tie breakers are, in the following order:

• Goal differential
• Goals scored
• Head-to-head results

A draw would be conducted, if necessary. However, if two clubs are tied at the first place, both clubs will be declared as the champions. The bottom two clubs will be relegated to J2, while the 16th placed club plays a two-legged Promotion/relegation Series.

Changes from previous year

none

Table

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Results

Top scorers

Attendance

Awards

Individual

Best Eleven