The Koshien Bowl is the equivalent of the Japanese national college football championship held in every December and Koshien Stadium, the oldest and most storied stadium in Japan, is the stage for the annual extravaganza.

The Koshien Bowl is the oldest college Bowl game started in 1947. The game draws more than 30,000 fans every year. The 67th anniversary game will be played on December 16 this year.

The Koshien Bowl had long been the stage where the divisional champions of the East and West college leagues (Kanto Collegiate Football Association and Kansai Collegiate American Football Association respectively) meet.

Since the 2009 season, the Bowl has become the championship game for the national college championships tournament, which is held between eight leagues around the country.

The winner of the Koshien Bowl ? the college national champions ? faces the X League champions, which is determined in the Japan X Bowl shortly after the Koshien Bowl. The X League consists of teams owned or sponsored by companies.