This season, all 60 J.League clubs participated in an updated tournament format, aimed to grow the J2 and J3 Leagues and improve the J.League as a whole.
The three clubs participating in the 2023–24 AFC Champions League knockout stage (Kawasaki Frontale, Yokohama F. Marinos and Ventforet Kofu) were introduced to the tournament at the prime round.
Each group participated in a single-elimination tournament, leaving 10 clubs to advance to the play-off round.
In the case of a draw, games go to extra time and penalties to determine a winner if necessary.
Each round would be a two-legged home and away fixture, except the final which would be a one-game tie played at a neutral venue.