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:
- Goal differential
- Goals scored
- Head-to-head results
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.
- 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.
Read more about this topic: 2005 J. League Division 1