Welcome to the WE League Cup. This tournament is far more than just a secondary domestic competition; it is a vital part of the WE League’s ambitious social mission to promote gender equality in Japan through the power of football.
Launched in 2022, the Cup was designed to create more high-stakes, high-visibility moments for the sport, amplifying the league’s core message of empowerment and providing a bigger stage for its athletes. This is your essential guide to its innovative format, its champions, and its unique culture.
At a Glance: The WE League Cup
- Official Name: WE League Cup (currently Kracie Cup)
- Country: Japan 🇯🇵
- Founded: 2022
- Format: 12-team group stage followed by a four-team knockout
- Participants: All teams from the WE League
- Most Titles: Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina (2 titles)
How It Works: An Innovative Format
The WE League Cup features a format designed to maximize competitive drama from start to finish.
Group Stage
The 12 teams are divided into three groups of four. They play a double round-robin (six matches each). The most innovative feature is a unique point system to eliminate draws:
- Win in 90 minutes = 3 points
- Win on penalties = 2 points
- Loss on penalties = 1 point
- Loss in 90 minutes = 0 points
Knockout Phase
The three group winners and the single best runner-up advance to a two-legged semi-final, followed by a single, winner-takes-all final to crown the champion.
Champions & Challengers
Despite its short history, the cup has already produced compelling stories. The inaugural final in 2022–23 saw Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies defeat Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza in a dramatic penalty shootout.
However, the competition’s early years have been defined by the stunning emergence of a new powerhouse, Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina, who won back-to-back titles in 2023–24 and 2024–25.
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
| 2022–23 | Urawa Red Diamonds | Tokyo Verdy Beleza |
| 2023–24 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | Albirex Niigata |
| 2024–25 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | INAC Kobe Leonessa |
Fan Culture: A Distinctly Japanese Experience
The fan culture surrounding the WE League is a unique blend of global “ultra” traditions—with non-stop chanting and elaborate visual displays (“tifos”)—and a distinctly Japanese character.
This subculture is famously non-violent, and a widely celebrated tradition is the practice of fans cleaning up the stadium after matches, a behaviour that aligns perfectly with the WE League’s mission to promote a safe and inclusive environment.