2005 J.League Division 1

The 2005 season was the 13th season since the establishment of J.League. It began on March 5 and ended on December 3, followed by promotion/relegation series matches on December 7 and 10.

Promotion and relegation

 * At the end of the 2004 season, Kawasaki Frontale and Omiya Ardija were promoted to J1
 * At the end of the 2004 season, there were no relegation to J2.
 * At the end of the 2004 season, Tokushima Vortis and Thespa Kusatsu were promoted to J2 from JFL

Changes in competition formats

 * The Division 1 was expanded to 18 clubs, and Division 2 stays at 12 clubs.
 * The format of Division 1 was changed from the double-season format to a single season.
 * In games that require extra time in case of a tie (i.e. league cup finals), golden goal rules were eliminated. Clubs now had to play the full extra time.

Changes in clubs

 * JEF United relocates from Ichihara to the prefecture capital, Chiba, and becomes JEF United Ichihara Chiba.

Clubs
Following eighteen clubs played in J.League Division 1 during 2005 season. Of these clubs, Omiya Ardija and Kawasaki Frontale were newly promoted clubs.


 * Kashima Antlers
 * Urawa Red Diamonds
 * Omiya Ardija [[Image:Arrowupgreen.png]]
 * JEF United Chiba
 * Kashiwa Reysol
 * FC Tokyo
 * Tokyo Verdy 1969
 * Kawasaki Frontale [[Image:Arrowupgreen.png]]
 * Yokohama F. Marinos
 * Albirex Nigata
 * Shimizu S-Pulse
 * Jublio Iwata
 * Nagoya Grampus Eight
 * Gamba Osaka
 * Cerezo Osaka
 * Vissel Kobe
 * Sanfrecce Hiroshima
 * Oita Trinita

Format
Eighteen clubs will play in double round-robin (home and away) format, a total of 34 games each. A club receives 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. The clubs are ranked by points, and tie breakers are, in the following order: A draw would be conducted, if necessary. However, if two clubs are tied at the first place, both clubs will be declared as the champions. The bottom two clubs will be relegated to J2, while the 16th placed club plays a two-legged Promotion/relegation Series.
 * Goal differential
 * Goals scored
 * Head-to-head results
 * Changes from previous year
 * Number of clubs competing increased from 16 to 18
 * The season format was changed from the double-season format to a single season.
 * Number of games per club increased from 30 games to 34 games per season.

Best Eleven
* The number in brackets denotes the number of times that the footballer has appeared in the Best 11.