The J. League's executive board met Tuesday and finalized dates for next season's two First Division stages, as well as deciding on a new format for the 2002 Nabisco Cup.

Next season's J-1 season will kick off on March 2 and finish later than usual to accommodate the 2002 World Cup, the J. League confirmed.

The league will take a break after first-division teams play the seventh round of first-stage games on April 20 to help the national team prepare for the May 31-June 30 finals.

The remaining first-stage matches will be played from July 13 through Aug. 17.

The J-1 second stage will run from Aug. 31 to Nov. 30. The two-leg J. League championship between the winners of the first and second stages will take place on Dec. 7 and 14.

Meanwhile, next year's Nabisco Cup, traditionally a knockout competition, will only involve the 16 First Division teams which will be divided into four first-round groups. The top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals.

The second division, which will also break off for the World Cup, will start on March 3 and wrap up on Nov. 24.

The J. League last month confirmed that all second-division games will switch to a 90-minute format by abolishing extra time from next season after concerns about a drop in playing standards.

Also beginning next season, the J. League will take steps to introduce professional referees in a bid to improve the officiating of league games.