Tony Khan has confirmed that AEW‘s annual co-promotional Forbidden Door event with New Japan Pro-Wrestling will return in 2026 — and this year’s edition will feature a collaboration with World Wonder Ring STARDOM. Khan made the announcement during the AEW Dynasty pre-show media conference call, also addressing AEW’s plans to feature more Joshi talent following Toni Storm’s extended absence from television.
No date or location has been announced for Forbidden Door 2026 at this time. The annual event has been a fixture of AEW’s summer calendar since its debut in 2022 at the United Center in Chicago. Last year’s fourth Forbidden Door was held at The O2 Arena in London, England and drew an announced attendance of 18,992 people, making it one of the most significant events in the show’s history.
Tony Khan Also Announces Yuka Sakazaki’s Role in ROH Survival of the Fittest and Hikaru Shida’s Return Plans
Khan used the media call to address several additional women’s division developments. He announced that Yuka Sakazaki will compete in a qualifying match for the first-ever Women’s ROH Survival of the Fittest tournament, slated for Supercard of Honor next month. He also revealed that recently returned former AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida will team with Kris Statlander on the April 11 edition of Collision — giving Shida another significant opportunity following her long-awaited return to AEW television earlier this month after a lengthy absence.
