Ticket sales for New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s biggest event of the year, Wrestle Kingdom 20, are off to an incredibly strong start. According to a new report in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the first-day ticket sales for the January 4, 2026, event at the Tokyo Dome surpassed an incredible 20,000 tickets. This is a massive number and represents the largest first-day ticket sale for an NJPW show at the iconic venue since the 1990s, a period of immense popularity for professional wrestling in Japan. The strong advance is a clear indicator of the high level of anticipation for the event, which is being built around two historic moments.
The report notes that the immense interest in the show is being driven by two major factors. The first is that the event will feature the final retirement match of the legendary “Ace of the Universe,” Hiroshi Tanahashi. Tanahashi is one of the most important and beloved figures in the history of NJPW, and his farewell match is a can’t-miss event for Japanese wrestling fans. The second major draw is the planned in-ring debut of former Olympic Gold Medalist, Aaron Wolf. Wolf, who won a gold medal in judo at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, is a major national hero in Japan, and his transition to professional wrestling is a significant mainstream news story in the country. The ringside tickets that were made available to international fans at a price of $750 each reportedly sold out within 15 minutes, further demonstrating the global demand for this historic event.
