Football revolution in Japan! J-League officially abolishes draws

The Japanese J-League, celebrating its 100th season, has embarked on an experiment that could shake up world football.

Details: The country’s top division has completely eliminated traditional draws. If a match ends in a tie after 90 minutes, the winner will be decided by a post-match penalty shootout. Organizers are confident this bold move will inject excitement and eliminate the "dull" games where teams are content to split the points.

• Also read: Pohang Steelers vs Gamba Osaka: prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups – 12 February 2026

The points system has also been revamped: a win in regular time still brings 3 points, and a loss gives 0. However, if it goes to penalties, the shootout winner earns 2 points, while the loser walks away with 1 point—a traditional bonus for a draw. So, the penalty shootout becomes a chance to earn an extra point, while the losing side loses nothing compared to the old rules.

This innovation is exclusive to the so-called “transition season,” which runs until June 2026. Japan has chosen to synchronize its calendar with Europe, and this tournament serves as a bridge to the new format, which will kick off in August.