Rice Bowl
Annual American football championship tournament held in Japan
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The Japan Championship Rice Bowl is an annual American football national championship game held in Japan every January 3 that determines the champion of the X-League. The game was originally a collegiate all-star game until 1983. From 1984 to 2021, the game matched the champions of the Japan X Bowl with the college Koshien Bowl winners. However, after lopsided victories to the professional teams, discussions took place over whether this was a reasonable contest,[1] and from 2022 the contest was changed so that it was between the two top professional teams. The game can draw over 30,000 spectators.
StadiumTokyo Dome
LocationTokyo, Japan
Previous stadiumsNational Stadium (1984–1990)
Operated1948–present
| Rice Bowl | |
|---|---|
| Japan Championship Rice Bowl presented by Prudential | |
| Stadium | Tokyo Dome |
| Location | Tokyo, Japan |
| Previous stadiums | National Stadium (1984–1990) |
| Operated | 1948–present |
| Conference tie-ins | X-League |
| Sponsors | |
Current champions
The current 2026 champions are the Panasonic Impulse. This is the first time the Impulse has won back-to-back Rice Bowl titles.
All Star Era
| Date | Game | Eastern Army | Score | Western Army | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 17, 1948 | 1 | Kanto University Selection | 33-12 | Kansai University Selection | Nile Kinnick Stadium |
| January 2, 1949 | 2 | Kanto University Selection | 52-0 | Kansai University Selection | Nile Kinnick Stadium |
| January 4, 1950 | 3 | Kanto University Selection | 13-19 | Kansai University Selection | Nile Kinnick Stadium |
| January 1, 1951 | 4 | Kanto University Selection | 27-6 | Kansai University Selection | Nile Kinnick Stadium |
| January 5, 1952 | 5 | Kanto University Selection | 20-7 | Kansai University Selection | Meiji Jingu Gaien Stadium |
| January 1, 1953 | 6 | Kanto University Selection | 43-0 | Kansai University Selection | Meiji Jingu Gaien Stadium |
| January 1, 1954 | 7 | Kanto University Selection | 20-7 | Kansai University Selection | Meiji Jingu Gaien Stadium |
| January 1, 1955 | 8 | Kanto University Selection | 20-0 | Kansai University Selection | Meiji Jingu Gaien Stadium |
| January 1, 1956 | 9 | Kanto University Selection | 19-0 | Kansai University Selection | Meiji Jingu Gaien Stadium |
| January 13, 1957 | 10 | Kanto University Selection | 13-21 | Kansai University Selection | Korakuen Velodrome |
| January 1, 1958 | 11 | Kanto University Selection | 31-0 | Kansai University Selection | Korakuen Stadium |
| January 1, 1959 | 12 | Kanto University Selection | 25-0 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 1, 1960 | 13 | Kanto University Selection | 68-0 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 1, 1961 | 14 | Kanto University Selection | 22-12 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 1, 1962 | 15 | Kanto University Selection | 42-16 | Kansai University Selection | Korakuen Velodrome |
| January 1, 1963 | 16 | Kanto University Selection | 40-8 | Kansai University Selection | Korakuen Velodrome |
| January 1, 1964 | 17 | Kanto University Selection | 6-12 | Kansai University Selection | Korakuen Velodrome |
| January 1, 1965 | 18 | Kanto University Selection | 44-6 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 15, 1966 | 19 | Kanto University Selection | 14-20 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 15, 1967 | 20 | Kanto University Selection | 30-34 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 15, 1968 | 21 | Kanto University Selection | 8-18 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 15, 1969 | 22 | Kanto University Selection | 16-12 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 15, 1970 | 23 | Kanto University Selection | 8-14 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 15, 1971 | 24 | Kanto University Selection | 6-28 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 16, 1972 | 25 | Kanto University Selection | 30-20 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 15, 1973 | 26 | Kanto University Selection | 26-28 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 13, 1974 | 27 | Kanto University Selection | 0-47 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 12, 1975 | 28 | Kanto University Selection | 31-7 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 11, 1976 | 29 | Kanto University Selection | 10-14 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 9, 1977 | 30 | Kanto University Selection | 7-21 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 16, 1978 | 31 | Kanto University Selection | 26-14 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 4, 1979 | 32 | Kanto University Selection | 21-0 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 4, 1980 | 33 | Kanto University Selection | 42-14 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 4, 1981 | 34 | Kanto University Selection | 35-15 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 10, 1982 | 35 | Kanto University Selection | 20-9 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
| January 16, 1983 | 36 | Kanto University Selection | 37-34 | Kansai University Selection | National Stadium |
National Championship Era
X-League vs College Era Results
| Date | Game | College team | Score | X-League | Stadium | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 3, 1984 | 37 | Kyoto | 29-28 | Renown Rovers | National Stadium | — |
| January 3, 1985 | 38 | Nihon | 53-21 | Renown Rovers | National Stadium | — |
| January 3, 1986 | 39 | Kwansei Gakuin | 42-45 | Renown Rovers | National Stadium | — |
| January 3, 1987 | 40 | Kyoto | 35-34 | Renown Rovers | National Stadium | — |
| January 3, 1988 | 41 | Kyoto | 42-8 | Renown Rovers | National Stadium | — |
| January 3, 1989 | 42 | Nihon | 47-7 | Renown Rovers | National Stadium | — |
| January 3, 1990 | 43 | Nihon | 42-14 | Asahi Beer Silver Star | National Stadium | — |
| January 3, 1991 | 44 | Nihon | 35-13 | Matsushita Electric Works Impulse | Tokyo Dome | — |
| January 3, 1992 | 45 | Kwansei Gakuin | 6-28 | Onward Oaks | Tokyo Dome | — |
| January 3, 1993 | 46 | Kyoto | 20-29 | Asahi Beer Silver Star | Tokyo Dome | — |
| January 3, 1994 | 47 | Kwansei Gakuin | 23-28 | Asahi Beer Silver Star | Tokyo Dome | — |
| January 3, 1995 | 48 | Ritsumeikan | 14-16 | Matsushita Electric Works Impulse | Tokyo Dome | — |
| January 3, 1996 | 49 | Kyoto | 35-21 | Matsushita Electric Works Impulse | Tokyo Dome | — |
| January 3, 1997 | 50 | Kyoto | 16-19 | Recruit Seagulls | Tokyo Dome | — |
| January 3, 1998 | 51 | Hosei | 0-39 | Kashima Deers | Tokyo Dome | — |
| January 3, 1999 | 52 | Ritsumeikan | 16-30 | Recruit Seagulls | Tokyo Dome | — |
| January 3, 2000 | 53 | Kwansei Gakuin | 17-33 | Asahi Beer Silver Star | Tokyo Dome | — |
| January 3, 2001 | 54 | Hosei | 13-52 | Asahi Soft Drink Challengers | Tokyo Dome | — |
| January 3, 2002 | 55 | Kwansei Gakuin | 30-27 | Asahi Soft Drink Challengers | Tokyo Dome | — |
| January 3, 2003 | 56 | Ritsumeikan | 36-13 | Obic Seagulls | Tokyo Dome | — |
| January 3, 2004 | 57 | Ritsumeikan | 28-16 | Onward Oaks | Tokyo Dome | — |
| January 3, 2005 | 58 | Ritsumeikan | 7-26 | Matsushita Electric Works Impulse | Tokyo Dome | 28,000 |
| January 3, 2006 | 59 | Hosei | 17-47 | Obic Seagulls | Tokyo Dome | 28,041 |
| January 3, 2007 | 60 | Hosei | 29-30 | Onward Skylarks | Tokyo Dome | 32,598 |
| January 3, 2008 | 61 | Kwansei Gakuin | 38-52 | Panasonic Electric Works Impulse | Tokyo Dome | 34,487 |
| January 3, 2009 | 62 | Ritsumeikan | 17-13 | Panasonic Electric Works Impulse | Tokyo Dome | 34,655 |
| January 3, 2010 | 63 | Kansai | 16-19 | Kashima Deers | Tokyo Dome | 35,742 |
| January 3, 2011 | 64 | Ritsumeikan | 0-24 | Obic Seagulls | Tokyo Dome | 35,750 |
| January 3, 2012 | 65 | Kwansei Gakuin | 28-38 | Obic Seagulls | Tokyo Dome | 25,059 |
| January 3, 2013 | 66 | Kwansei Gakuin | 15-21 | Obic Seagulls | Tokyo Dome | 27,371 |
| January 3, 2014 | 67 | Kwansei Gakuin | 16-34 | Obic Seagulls | Tokyo Dome | 29,564 |
| January 3, 2015 | 68 | Kwansei Gakuin | 24-33 | Fujitsu Frontiers | Tokyo Dome | 30,361 |
| January 3, 2016 | 69 | Ritsumeikan | 19-22 | Panasonic Impulse | Tokyo Dome | 31,345 |
| January 3, 2017 | 70 | Kwansei Gakuin | 13-30 | Fujitsu Frontiers | Tokyo Dome | 33,521 |
| January 3, 2018 | 71 | Nihon | 9-37 | Fujitsu Frontiers | Tokyo Dome | 34,500 |
| January 3, 2019 | 72 | Kwansei Gakuin | 17-52 | Fujitsu Frontiers | Tokyo Dome | 33,242 |
| January 3, 2020 | 73 | Kwansei Gakuin | 14-38 | Fujitsu Frontiers | Tokyo Dome | 31,345 |
| January 3, 2021 | 74 | Kwansei Gakuin | 18-35 | Obic Seagulls | Tokyo Dome | 8,851 |
X-League Championship Era
| Date | Game | Team | Score | Team | Stadium | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 3, 2022 | 75 | Panasonic Impulse | 18–24 | Fujitsu Frontiers | Tokyo Dome | 14,610 |
| January 3, 2023 | 76 | Panasonic Impulse | 21–29 | Fujitsu Frontiers | Tokyo Dome | 16,796 |
| January 3, 2024 | 77 | Panasonic Impulse | 10–16 | Fujitsu Frontiers | Tokyo Dome | 20,202 |
| January 3, 2025 | 78 | Fujitsu Frontiers | 27–34 | Panasonic Impulse | Tokyo Dome | 17,694 |
| January 3, 2026 | 79 | Obic Seagulls | 7–9 | Panasonic Impulse | Tokyo Dome | 20,214 |
Records of teams
| Team | Times Participated | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kwansei Gakuin University Fighters | 14 | 1 | 13 |
| Ritsumeikan University Panthers | 8 | 3 | 5 |
| Kyoto University Gangsters | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Nihon University Phoenix | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Hosei University Orange | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Kansai University Kaisers | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Team | Times Participated | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic Impulse | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| Obic Seagulls | 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Fujitsu Frontiers | 9 | 8 | 1 |
| Renown Rovers | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| Asahi Beer Silver Star | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Onward Skylarks | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Lixil Deers | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Asahi Soft Drink Challengers | 2 | 1 | 1 |