Japan Women’s Rugby: Challenger Series to Fuel National Team Growth in 2026
The Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) is bolstering its women’s sevens program with the introduction of Challenger Tournaments in 2026, designed to increase competitive opportunities and cultivate talent for the national team. Following the conclusion of the 12th All Japan Women’s 15s Championship on February 1st, where Yokohama TKM defeated Yokogawa Musashino Artemi-Stars at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, the focus shifts to the swift-paced world of sevens rugby.
Challenger Series Format and Promotion
The Challenger Tournaments will feature the top 12 Japanese Women’s 7s teams, competing for a chance to join the Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series 2027. The format mirrors that of the previous season, where the bottom-ranked teams in the main series face off against the top performers from the Challenger events for promotion. Points will be awarded based on rankings in each of the two Challenger tournaments, with the overall ranking determined by the combined points total. The top four teams from the Challenger Series will earn a spot in promotion/relegation matches to compete for a place in the main series.
2026 Challenger Tournament Schedule
- Round 1: Nagoya Tournament
- Dates: Saturday, May 16th – Sunday, May 17th, 2026
- Location: Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
- Round 2: Shizuoka Ecopa Tournament
- Dates: Saturday, June 13th – Sunday, June 14th, 2026
- Location: Ogasayama General Athletic Park Ecopa Stadium, Fukuroi City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Admission to both Challenger Tournaments will be free for fans.
Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series 2026 Teams
The 12 teams expected to compete in the Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series 2026 include:
- Mie Pearls
- Self-Defence Forces Physical Education School PTS
- Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix
- Yokohama TKM
- Nagato Blue Angels
- Hokkaido Barbarians Diana
- Nippon Sport Science University Women’s Rugby Team
- Nanairo Prism Fukuoka
- Yokogawa Musashino Artemi-Stars
- Arukas Queen Kumagaya Venus
- Otemon Gakuin University Women’s Rugby Club VENUS
- Challenge Team (JRFU Development Team)
Relegation and Promotion from 2025
Following the 2025 season, Yokogawa Musashino Artemi-Stars, Arukas Queen Kumagaya women’s RFC, and Otemon Gakuin University Women’s Rugby Club Venus earned promotion to the 2026 series through the relegation/promotion matches.
Looking Ahead
The JRFU’s investment in the Challenger Series demonstrates a commitment to expanding opportunities within women’s rugby in Japan. By providing a pathway for emerging teams to compete at the highest level, the JRFU aims to strengthen the national team program and foster continued growth in the sport. Nagato Blue Angels are the current title holders, having won the Taiyo Seimei WSS 2025 Grand Final in August 2025, securing their third consecutive and fifth overall title.