With rare exceptions such as the franchise-based system of Major League Soccer, promotion and relegation are the law of the land in soccer leagues across the world. The same is true of the J. League¡¯s three divisions, with a big caveat.
Even if Machida Zelvia finish in one of the J. League second division¡¯s two automatic promotion spots, it will not become the third-ever Tokyo club to reach the first division following in the footsteps of FC Tokyo and Tokyo Verdy.
Preventing Zelvia¡¯s potential first-ever top-flight promotion is the league¡¯s club license system, a dense set of requirements that serve as a checklist for operating a professional club.
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