New Japan Pro-Wrestling has officially unveiled its schedule for the first half of 2026, and it includes groundbreaking news for international fans. For the first time in history, the prestigious G1 Climax tournament will kick off on American soil.
During Wrestle Kingdom 20, the promotion announced that Night One of G1 Climax 36 will take place at the NOW Arena in Chicago, Illinois, on July 11, 2026. This marks a massive expansion of NJPW’s footprint in the United States. While the company held a “G1 Special” in the US back in 2017—where Kenny Omega famously became the inaugural IWGP United States Champion—this will be the first time the tournament proper has held official block matches stateside.
In addition to the G1 announcement, NJPW revealed another major US date: the Death Vegas Invitational. Scheduled for April 16 in Las Vegas, the event is being billed as El Desperado’s brainchild, though a specific venue has yet to be determined.
The domestic schedule is equally packed, featuring staple events like the New Japan Cup, Sakura Genesis, and Dominion.
Full NJPW First Half 2026 Schedule:
Feb 11: New Beginning in Osaka (Osaka)
Feb 27: New Beginning USA (Trenton, NJ)
Mar 6: NJPW 54th Anniversary (Ota General Gymnasium, Tokyo)
Mar 20-21: New Japan Cup Semifinals & Finals (Niigata)
Apr 4: Sakura Genesis (Sumo Hall, Tokyo)
Apr 16: Death Vegas Invitational (Las Vegas, NV)
Apr 25: Wrestling Redzone (Hiroshima)
May 3-4: Wrestling Dontaku 2026 (Fukuoka)
Jun 7: Best of the Super Junior 33 Finals (Ota General Gymnasium, Tokyo)
Jun 14: Dominion (Osaka-jo Hall, Osaka)
Jul 11: G1 Climax 36 Night One (NOW Arena, Chicago, IL)
Aug 15-16: G1 Climax 36 Finals (Sumo Hall, Tokyo)
The decision to host the G1 Climax opener in Chicago highlights the city’s status as a premier wrestling destination, often hosting major events for AEW and WWE. With the Forbidden Door partnership between AEW and NJPW still strong, speculation is already running rampant about which AEW stars might participate in the tournament’s opening night.
Looking ahead to the immediate future, NJPW’s next major stop is The New Beginning tour in February. Fans in the United States won’t have to wait until July for action, as New Beginning USA hits Trenton, New Jersey on February 27. Tickets for these upcoming events are expected to go on sale in the coming weeks via the official NJPW website.
