The European football federation UEFA was newly added as a designated organization in August 2024, according to an annual evaluation of the Japan Sports Council (JSC), the body that runs the country's sports lottery toto1. The addition allows toto-style pools on UEFA Champions League matches, the report states1.
The document records the addition in a single line: "令和６年８月に新たに指定組織に追加された欧州サッカー連盟", meaning UEFA was newly added as a designated organization in August of the sixth year of the Reiwa era, which corresponds to 20241.
The same report gives the wider context for JSC's lottery business. It says sports promotion lottery sales reached a record high even as sales of other lotteries stayed below past levels1. The evaluation rated the funding and grant category, one of five service categories, as A, the second-highest grade, noting "一定程度の業績向上努力" (a certain degree of effort to improve performance)1. The overall corporate rating was B, meaning goals were broadly met1.
The report also lists operating figures for JSC's major sports venues for the year, including the National Stadium and Yoyogi National Gymnasium, and satisfaction survey results1. It records that the National Stadium was used on 201 days against a target of at least 159, and that the first Yoyogi gymnasium was used on 299 days against a target of at least 2701. Satisfaction among venue users was 87.7 percent at the National Stadium and 96.1 percent at Chichibunomiya Rugby Ground, both above the 80 percent target1.
It also records that JSC obtained a certification in January of the eighth year of the Reiwa era, without naming it in the quoted passage1.
What it means for players
Toto is a state-run football pool in Japan, and the addition of UEFA as a designated organization widens the set of matches that can be included in BIG-type tickets, which are decided by a random or automatic selection rather than by the player's own picks1. The report does not state which competitions, rounds or match dates will be offered, and no start date for UEFA-based games has been reported1. It also does not say whether the change affects ticket prices, prize structures or how winners are drawn1. Players in Japan who follow European club football may see Champions League fixtures appear in the pool in future sales periods, but the report gives no schedule1. For background on how these pools work, see Sports Lotteries Explained and Sports Toto.
What happens next
The evaluation records two expert meetings on JSC's performance: the first on July 6 of the eighth year of the Reiwa era, and the second on July 27 of the same year1. The report lists no improvement order from the supervising ministers, stating "特になし" (none in particular)1. It gives no further steps on the UEFA designation or on when Champions League matches will enter the toto lineup1.
Sources1 sources
- 令和7年度業務実績評価, jpnsport.go.jp
