J. League Cup is a Japanese football (soccer) competition organized by J. League. It is the oldest professional domestic football competition in Japan. It is also known as Yamazaki Nabisco Cup or Nabisco Cup because confectionery/bakery company Yamazaki Nabisco (the Japanese Nabisco licensee) have sponsored the competition since its inception in 1992.
It is generally regarded as the Japanese equivalent to league cup competitions played in many countries such as the Football League Cup in England. Before the J. League Cup was created, the old Japan Soccer League had its own 'Japan Soccer League Cup since the 1976 season.
The tournament format varies almost each year largely depending on the schedule of international matches such as the Olympic games and World Cup games (see the "Format" section below).
Since 2007, the winners are qualified for the Suruga Bank Championship held in the following summer.
Read more about J. League Cup: Prizes, Finals, Performances By Team, MVP, New Hero Award
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