J.League Cup / Copa Sudamericana Championship

About J.League Cup / Copa Sudamericana Championship

J.League Cup / Copa Sudamericana Championship History, Format, Organization, Media Coverage

The J.League Cup / Copa Sudamericana Championship, previously known as the Suruga Bank Championship, is an annual intercontinental tournament that takes place in Japan between the reigning champions of the J.League Cup and the Copa Sudamericana. The competition was sponsored by Suruga Bank until 2019, hence the name, but is now referred to as the J. League YBC Levain Cup / CONMEBOL Sudamericana Championship Final in full.

This tournament began in 2008 and was established after an agreement was reached between the Japan Football Association, the J League, and CONMEBOL. The one-off clash is held at the home ground of the reigning J.League Cup champions. Gamba Osaka’s Nagai Stadium was the first-ever venue for this competition.

The inaugural title was won by Argentine side Arsenal, beating Gamba Osaka 1-0 on July 30, 2008. The following year, another South American side won the trophy, with Brazilian club Internacional beating Oita Trinita 2-1. Japan had to wait until the third edition to be crowned champions, with FC Tokyo becoming the first home club to win the J. League YBC Levain Cup / CONMEBOL Sudamericana Championship after beating Ecuadorian side LDU Quito on penalties.