The sports channel “DAZN” will be streaming live with live commentary on all matches of the 2025/26 SOMPO WE League, which will open on Saturday, August 9th.
The WE League, which started its first season in 2021, is now in its fifth season. Last season, the race for the championship was a close match until the final match, and Nippon TV’s Tokyo Verdi Bereza achieved its long-awaited first victory. Last season also showed that the first women’s professional soccer league in Japan is gradually becoming more and more popular, with two games attracting over 20,000 spectators for the first time in history.
In this context, the 2025/26 season is expected to be held in the race for the championship, with Nippon TV Tokyo Verdi Bereza, aiming to win the second consecutive championship. During the off-season, manager Kusunoki Naoki, who has a track record of leading the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies to consecutive WE League titles, was appointed. He has also made great reinforcements, including midfielder Yumoto Mitsuru, who also played for Nadeshiko Japan, and Shiokoshi Yuho, who won multiple individual titles in the WE League and played for the Japanese national team at the 2025 East Asian E-1 Soccer Championship, and acquiring key players from his rival Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies, and is fully equipped to win consecutive titles.
Meanwhile, we can’t take our eyes off INAC Kobe Leonessa, who missed out on winning the championship for the first time in three seasons due to a goal difference last season. Although top scorer Carlota Suarez left the team, he reinforced the capable young players. During his active career, Miyamoto Tomomi, who played in 77 games for the Japanese national team, and after retirement he was also the national team coach, is now available as the new manager, and there is high hopes for what kind of offensive style he will develop. The opening match will be against Nippon TV and Tokyo Verdi Bereza, so it is expected that there will be many highlights from the start.
DAZN aims to create an environment where everyone can enjoy sports, with the aim of expanding awareness and increasing access to women’s sports. Supporting the fans is essential to supporting an environment where players and teams can continue to take on challenges. We will continue to implement measures in the future to deliver the joy and sense of unity created by sports to more people, so please enjoy it in the future.
“2025/26 SOMPO WE League” opening round 1 distribution overview
Saturday, August 9th
AC Nagano Parceiro Women vs Albirex Niigata Women 18:00 Kickoff
Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Ladies vs Mynavi Sendai 18:00 Kickoff
Sunday, August 10th
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Women vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina 18:00 Kickoff
RB Omiya Ardija WOMEN vs Chifure AS Elfen Saitama 18:00 Kickoff
INAC Kobe Leonessa vs NTV Tokyo Verdi Bereza 18:00 Kickoff
Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara vs Jeff Chiba Ladies 18:30 Kickoff
*Please note that the content of this distribution may be subject to change or cancellation.
*Please check the program guide for the latest information.