 Due to their success in reaching the AFC Champions League semi-final, Gamba were given a bye to the 4th round of the Emperor's Cup where they were drawn away to fellow J-League 1 side Kawasaki Frontale.A 2-0 victory saw them progress to the quarter-finals where they were paired with another J-League 1 outfit, this time Sagan Tosu.A 3-1 win ensured they qualified for the semi-finals where they were again successful, this time beating 2015 J-League 1 Champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3-0 in a match played at Nagai Stadium.