Starting this season, all top three clubs were promoted by default and Pro/Rele Series was eliminated accordingly.
Of these clubs, Consadole Sapporo and Tokyo Verdy were relegated from Division 1 last year.
Tochigi S.C., Kataller Toyama, and Fagiano Okayama newly joined from Japan Football League.
Eighteen clubs will play in triple round-robin format, a total of 51 games each.
The clubs are ranked by points, and tie breakers are, in the following order: A draw would be conducted, if necessary.