UNIVAS Launches Cross-Sport University Championship 'UNIVAS CUP 2026' Starting with Baseball on June 8

The Japan Association for University Athletics and Sport (UNIVAS) (Location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Norihiko Fukuhara) will hold the 'UNIVAS CUP 2026', a cross-sport university championship that competes in overall athletic strength, to convey the appeal of university sports and increase interest among a wider audience. Additionally, it has been decided that Nippon Kempo will join as a new participating sport from this term. 〇Competition Details Among the tournaments held by UNIVAS regular member athletic organizations, tournaments where universities from across the country participate to decide the national university champion will be designated as 'UNIVAS CUP' designated tournaments. Points allocated to each athletic organization will be awarded to universities according to their tournament ranking, and the overall university ranking will be determined based on the total points earned. To generate more interest and attention, the points for each tournament ranking and the points earned by each university will be communicated in a more understandable way. 〇Award System After the conclusion of the designated tournaments for 'UNIVAS CUP 2026', top-performing universities will be awarded in the following categories: total points in the 'National Overall Ranking' and 'Regional Overall Ranking', 'Points Earned by Gender', 'Number of Championship Wins by Gender', and 'Points Earned by National and Public Universities'. 【UNIVAS CUP 2026 Event Outline】 Cross-Sport University Championship 'UNIVAS CUP 2026' Japan Association for University Athletics and Sport (UNIVAS) UNIVAS member universities *Universities that are UNIVAS members as of May 31, 2026, will be automatically entered. 1. Among the tournaments held by UNIVAS member athletic organizations, tournaments in which universities nationwide participate to determine the national university champion will, in principle, be designated as one tournament per sport for 'UNIVAS CUP 2026'. (If held separately by gender or event, each will be a designated tournament.) 2. Universities will earn UNIVAS points according to their ranking in the relevant designated tournaments, and the overall tournament ranking will be determined by the total points earned in the designated tournaments. 3. Awards will be given to top-performing universities. Based on the number of registered universities for each athletic organization (as of fiscal year 2025), a total point pool will be set and allocated for each tournament according to the following method. 1. Since the ranking determination method differs for each athletic tournament, the scope and ratio of point allocation for the relevant tournament will be set for each tournament and announced before the tournament begins. 2. Points will only be awarded to UNIVAS member universities; points earned by non-member universities will be voided. 3. If a tournament aimed at determining the national university champion is not held, local tournaments may be designated as point-allocating tournaments after consultation with the relevant athletic organization, ensuring fairness. 4. For sports where no local tournaments are held and no point-allocating tournament can be set, no points will be allocated. (Points for that athletic organization will be voided.) 5. If unavoidable changes occur regarding the holding of designated tournaments, changes to the event period, tournament overview, or point allocation may be made. Universities will compete for rankings based on total points earned in the following five categories, and top universities will be awarded. [Overall Ranking] ① National Total Points Earned ② Regional Total Points Earned [Category Awards] ③ Points Earned by Gender ④ Number of Championship Wins by Gender ⑤ Points Earned by National and Public Universities The period during which designated tournaments are held will be the event period for 'UNIVAS CUP 2026'. The start date of 'UNIVAS CUP 2026' will be the opening day of the 75th All Japan University Baseball Championship, which is the earliest calendar date. *From this year's UNIVAS CUP 2026, the event will be changed to a calendar year format. Therefore, skiing, gliding, and orienteering (middle distance, relay events) scheduled for January to March 2027 will be moved to UNIVAS CUP 2027. The designated tournaments for this year's UNIVAS CUP are planned as follows. (As of June 1, 2026) https://univas.jp/enjoy/univas-cup/article/1755991/ *If there are additions to designated tournaments or changes to tournament schedules, etc., notifications will be made on the UNIVAS official website. ▼Event Schedule *Skiing, gliding, and orienteering (middle distance, relay events) scheduled for January to March 2027 are planned to be moved to UNIVAS CUP 2027. ◆About UNIVAS The Japan Association for University Athletics and Sport was established in March 2019 with the aim of promoting university sports. It works to enhance the learning environment, create a safe and secure environment for athletes to compete, and improve the overall value of university sports. https://univas.jp/