The Kansai college football season saves its biggest game for last. The Kansai Collegiate American Football League Division 1, which kicked off in September, reaches its final round on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Expo Memorial Stadium in Osaka, where unbeaten Kwansei Gakuin University meets last year’s champion, Ritsumeikan University. The sports channel GAORA SPORTS will broadcast the game live.
The title is settled, but the game still matters
Kwansei Gakuin is unbeaten and has already clinched the league title (its 63rd, and eighth in a row). Even so, the final round carries real weight. If Ritsumeikan wins, the two schools finish level on points and share the title (Ritsumeikan’s 15th, its first in two years).
In that case Ritsumeikan, as the winner of the head-to-head game, would take the “first seed” spot. Kwansei Gakuin wants to win, finish with a perfect record and enter the All-Japan University Championship as the top seed. It is a true showdown with the ranking on the line.
Kwansei Gakuin’s passing vs Ritsumeikan’s running
Kwansei Gakuin is built around QB 星野太吾 (3rd year), who runs an overwhelming passing offense. His partnership with a 4th-year wide receiver is said to be a major threat for opponents.
Ritsumeikan, on the other hand, has plenty of strong runners, led by RB 蓑部雄望 (4th year). Kwansei Gakuin’s defense is reportedly wary of them. Kwansei Gakuin through the air or Ritsumeikan on the ground — comparing the two styles is part of the fun.
Broadcasts and streaming
The live broadcast starts at 14:50 on Sunday, November 15. Replays are scheduled for 22:00 the same day and 24:00 on Thursday, November 19. The commentators are 濱田篤則 (a Kwansei Gakuin OB) and 池野伸 (a Ritsumeikan OB), with play-by-play by 森本栄浩.
After the broadcast the game will also be available on the GAORA On Demand streaming service from 18:00 on Monday, November 16 — handy if Sunday doesn’t work for you.
Other Round 7 games — Kansai University vs Kobe University, Doshisha University vs Konan University, and Kindai University vs Kyoto University — are also scheduled on GAORA SPORTS, making it a full weekend of Kansai college football.
Broadcast information
- Program: Kansai Collegiate American Football 2026, Round 7: Kwansei Gakuin University vs Ritsumeikan University (Nov 15, Expo Memorial Stadium)
- Game: Sunday, November 15, 2026, Expo Memorial Stadium, Osaka
- Broadcast: Sunday, November 15 at 14:50 (live); replay the same day at 22:00; replay Thursday, November 19 at 24:00
- Commentary: 濱田篤則 (Kwansei Gakuin OB) and 池野伸 (Ritsumeikan OB); play-by-play 森本栄浩
- How to watch: SKY PerfecTV!, cable TV including J:COM, Hikari TV and au Hikari TV service
- Streaming: GAORA On Demand (from 18:00 on Monday, November 16) (Japanese) https://vod.gaora.co.jp/contents/2067
- Program page (Japanese): https://www.gaora.co.jp/football/4380430
- Viewing guide (Japanese): https://www.gaora.co.jp/guide/
