Regarding the End of the 2025-26 Season: A Report and Thanks from Chairman Daisuke Matsui [Japan Top League of Futsal]

With the conclusion of the "3rd F.League U-18 Futsal Tournament in Nagoya," all projects organized by the Japan Top League of Futsal for the 2025-26 season have now ended. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our fans and supporters who have consistently supported the league and each club, our sponsoring companies, local government officials, members of the press, and everyone involved in futsal.

This season marked my first year as Chairman, overseeing the league's operations from opening to closing. In the previous season, after taking office, I visited numerous events across all categories, directly engaging with players and club officials to hear their voices. Based on these experiences, this year, we have focused on expanding our projects and enhancing the league's value.

Under the "petit à petit" (little by little) mission statement I set forth upon my appointment, we have advanced league operations centered around five key areas: "Cross-border," "Global Mind," "Next Generation," "Fan Build," and "Social Good." This season, through the participation and co-creation with our new partners, we have been able to move these initiatives forward as concrete projects.

Among these, our collaboration with MetLife Insurance Co., Ltd., who joined as our League Title Partner, has been a significant achievement symbolizing this season. As the "First Year of Title Partnership," we were able to realize new challenges, such as co-creating creative content to strengthen the brand of both the men's and women's leagues, and developing featured matches with enhanced production and fan engagement. Furthermore, our outreach capabilities have steadily increased with the participation of new partners, including Dwango Co., Ltd. for match streaming, BS Nippon Corporation for special programs and official video production support, and ATTS Inc. for strengthening SNS operations.

We also welcomed KIN Co., Ltd. and BRIGHTEN Co., Ltd. as non-competition area partners, "MISSION SUPPORTERS," allowing us to experience the expanding role the league plays in society through initiatives like youth development tournaments and collaborative events with disability football. During the men's and women's final seasons, Italian natural mineral water "Acqua Panna" provided beverages, supporting the players and tournament operations.

On the other hand, the presence of many partner companies that support the league daily, such as ABeam Consulting Ltd., who continuously supports our league business through the "ABeam AWARD" recognition program that encourages proactive club initiatives, is indispensable for revitalizing clubs and enhancing the league's momentum.

Furthermore, forward-looking initiatives are steadily progressing, including collaboration with the Sports Human Capital Foundation and the signing of an agreement with the Indonesian Professional Futsal League. We believe that such accumulated efforts will form the foundation for future growth.

Collaboration with clubs has also deepened, and opportunities to jointly promote initiatives have significantly increased. However, we are also frankly aware that there are areas where we have not yet fully met the expectations of our fans and supporters. The league and clubs will work together to create more attractive matches and improve the viewing environment.

The next season will mark the 20th kickoff for the F.League. Beyond that, the significant milestones of the "F.League 20th Anniversary" and "Women's F.League 10th Anniversary" in the 2027-28 season lie ahead. Towards these milestones, we aim to enhance the league's value and achieve sustainable growth through collaboration with many of you.

I am convinced that arenas can become more than just places to watch games; they can become "social infrastructure" where local people naturally gather and smiles mingle. I would like to express this future vision as "Arena Malls." Arenas where communities naturally form, much like a shopping mall where families gather on weekends. A place where everyone can become someone's supporter while enjoying local food and activities. We want to create such a "place with the highest density of happiness in Japan" together with all of you.

Next season, we will continue to work towards the league's development, step by step, with the spirit of "petit à petit" (little by little) in our hearts. We kindly ask for your continued warm support and encouragement.

March 31, 2026
Daisuke Matsui
Chairman, Japan Top League of Futsal