NJPW has shared more details on 2026’s edition of the New Japan Cup. The company’s second most prestigious tournament after the G1 Climax will begin on March 4 at Korakuen Hall. The tournament final will take place at Aore Nagaoka, Niigata, which has hosted the final for the past three New Japan Cup tournaments.
2026 New Japan Cup schedule in full:
- March 4 at Korakuen Hall
- March 5 at Korakuen Hall
- March 8 at Baycom Gymnasium in Hyogo
- March 10 at Shigeto Arena in Okayama
- March 12 at Takamatsu City Gymnasium in Kagawa
- March 13 at Kanaoka Park Gymnasium in Osaka
- March 14 at Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena in Aichi
- March 15 at I Messe Yamanashi in Yamanashi
- March 17 at Big Palette Fukushima in Fukushima
- March 20 at Aore Nagaoka in Niigata
- March 21 at Aore Nagaoka in Niigata
The Historical Importance of the New Japan Cup
The tournament remains a key influence on the championship narrative. Traditionally taking place in March, it often lays the foundations for the year ahead. First taking place in 2005, the inaugural tournament was won by Hiroshi Tanahashi, who is set to fight his final match against 2013 and 2019 winner Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 20.
The tournament winner receives a championship match, with most opting for a heavyweight title shot. However, there have been exceptions. 2014 winner Shinsuke Nakamura chose instead to pursue the Intercontinental Championship, succeeding at Invasion Attack with a win over Tanahashi.
Though Nakamura’s route was a real rarity, every winner since has opted solely for the Heavyweight Championship option, with the exception being 2020’s double-title match between Evil and Tetsuya Naito.
The majority of NJPW’s biggest stars have won the coveted tournament at least once, with the likes of Zack Sabre Jr., Yota Tsuji, and Evil among the tournament’s recent winners. Hirooki Goto is the only three-time and back-to-back winner, having emerged victorious in 2009, 2010, and 2012. Sadly for Goto, he failed to convert any of those opportunities into title match victories.
Will the 2025 Tournament Winner Still Be At NJPW in March?
David Finlay triumphed in this year’s New Japan Cup, with past winners Zack Sabre Jr. and EVIL among his conquests en route to the final. At Aore Nagaoka, the War Dogs leader bested Shota Umino in the final. But as is often the case with NJPW, heading into Wrestle Kingdom, a number of its roster’s contracts are set to expire. Among them are Finlay and his stablemates Drilla Moloney and Clark Connors.
NJPW remains hopeful of retaining all three stars, but they are all reportedly exploring other options, with Moloney drawn to the US, according to Fightful. However, the Japanese promotion will be buoyed by their participation at Wrestle Kingdom 20. All three wrestlers are set to compete at the company’s premier showcase.
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