The top four teams (Suntory Sungoliath, Toshiba Brave Lupus, Panasonic Wild Knights, Kobelco Steelers) in the 2012–13 Top League automatically qualified for the competition, and competed in a playoff competition.

As Top League finalists they gained automatic entry to the Championship Semi-finals.

This was competed by Toyota Verblitz, Yamaha Júbilo, Kintetsu Liners, NEC Green Rockets, NTT Communications Shining Arcs and Ricoh Black Rams and eventually taken by Toyota Verblitz and Yamaha Júbilo.

This was eventually won by the Coca-Cola West Red Sparks.

Suntory Sungoliath and Toshiba Brave Lupus bypassed the first two rounds into the semi-finals by reaching the final of the Top League playoffs in 2013.