TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese basketball's B-League said Thursday its current first-division teams based in Akita and Osaka have been approved to play in its rebranded top tier, the B-League Premier, when it launches in 2026.

The addition of the Akita Northern Happinets and Osaka Evessa completes the lineup of the 26-team Premier, which requires each club to have an arena with a minimum capacity of 5,000 and VIP seating, while also meeting attendance and sales criteria.

New arenas were built across the country as teams took steps to fulfill the entry conditions.

Of the 24 B1 teams, only the Koshigaya Alphas and Fighting Eagles Nagoya missed out on going to the Premier.

Instead, four B2 teams, the Altiri Chiba, Shinshu Brave Warriors, Toyama Grouses and Kobe Storks will be in the top category.

The 26 approved teams were divided into two divisions, East and West, for the inaugural 2026-27 B-League Premier season.

B-League Premier teams:

East: Levanga Hokkaido, Sendai 89ers, Akita Northern Happinets, Ibaraki Robots, Utsunomiya Brex, Gunma Crane Thunders, Altiri Chiba, Chiba Jets, Alvark Tokyo, Sunrockers Shibuya, Kawasaki Brave Thunders, Yokohama B-Corsairs, Toyama Grouses

West: Shinshu Brave Warriors, San-En Neophoenix, Seahorses Mikawa, Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, Shiga Lakes, Kyoto Hannaryz, Osaka Evessa, Kobe Storks, Shimane Susanoo Magic, Hiroshima Dragonflies, Saga Ballooners, Nagasaki Velca, Ryukyu Golden Kings