NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 takes place this Sunday, January 4, 2026, from the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. The 20th edition of New Japan Pro-Wrestling's signature event is already sold out and is expected to be the best-attended Wrestle Kingdom in history, with the promotion expanding seating to accommodate overwhelming demand.
The show is headlined by Hiroshi Tanahashi's retirement match against longtime rival Kazuchika Okada. "The Ace" ends his legendary 25-year career against "The Rainmaker" in what marks their 18th singles encounter and first since February 2024. Okada, currently signed to AEW, returns to the promotion where he made his name to send off his greatest rival in what promises to be an emotional farewell.
How To Watch NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20
Wrestle Kingdom 20 streams live on NJPW World, New Japan's official streaming service, with both Japanese and English commentary options available. This marks the first January 4 Tokyo Dome show to air on TV Asahi in Japan since 2004.
Subscriptions to NJPW World are available for $9.99 per month for international fans. If you miss the live broadcast, NJPW World typically keeps major events available for replay.
Wrestle Kingdom 20 Start Times
- Japan: 4:00 PM JST (Sunday)
- Eastern: 2:00 AM ET (Sunday morning)
- Pacific: 11:00 PM PT (Saturday night)
- United Kingdom: 7:00 AM GMT (Sunday)
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 Full Match Card
Main Event — Hiroshi Tanahashi's Retirement Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada
The greatest rivalry in modern New Japan history concludes at the Tokyo Dome. Tanahashi and Okada have met 17 times in singles competition, with Okada holding an 8-6 advantage and three matches ending in time-limit draws. Three of their encounters have taken place at Wrestle Kingdom, with their last Tokyo Dome clash coming at Wrestle Kingdom 10 in 2016.
Tanahashi has competed at all 19 previous Wrestle Kingdom events and is regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. His legendary career includes eight IWGP Heavyweight Championship reigns, three G1 Climax victories, two New Japan Cup wins, and recognition as the second NJPW Grand Slam Champion.
Winner Takes All Match: Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. Yota Tsuji (c) — IWGP World Heavyweight Championship & IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship
Both titles are on the line in this champion vs. champion clash. AEW's Takeshita captured the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Zack Sabre Jr. at King of Pro-Wrestling in October, while Tsuji won the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship from Gabe Kidd on the same show. The winner will walk away with both prestigious titles.
NEVER Openweight Championship: EVIL (c) vs. Aaron Wolf
Former Olympic gold medalist judoka Aaron Wolf makes his professional wrestling debut against the NEVER Openweight Champion. Wolf's signing was announced in June 2025, and the decorated Olympian has been training for his Wrestle Kingdom debut ever since. This marks a major crossover moment for NJPW.
Four-Way #1 Contender's Match for IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado vs. Kosei Fujita vs. Taiji Ishimori vs. SHO
Four of NJPW's best junior heavyweights compete for a future shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship in what should be a fast-paced, high-flying encounter.
Ten-Man Tag Team Match: United Empire vs. Bullet Club War Dogs & Unaffiliated
United Empire: Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan, HENARE, Andrade El Idolo & TBA
vs.
War Dogs/Unaffiliated: David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Drilla Moloney, Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi
Andrade El Idolo returns to New Japan for the first time since 2015 when he wrestled as La Sombra. HENARE also returns to action after being sidelined since December 2024. United Empire still has one mystery partner to reveal heading into the Tokyo Dome.
Winner Takes All Match: Syuri (c) vs. Saya Kamitani (c) — IWGP Women's Championship & NJPW STRONG Women's Championship
Both women's championships are on the line as IWGP Women's Champion Syuri faces NJPW STRONG Women's Champion Saya Kamitani. Kamitani made history as the first woman to win overall Tokyo Sports MVP, cementing her status as the top star in Japanese women's wrestling.
NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship — Tornado Ranbo: YOH, Master Wato & Toru Yano (c) vs. Multiple Teams
The defending champions face a gauntlet of challengers in this chaotic multi-team Tornado Ranbo format. Teams include: Kaisei Takechi, Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura; Satoshi Kojima, Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii; Oleg Boltin, YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto; TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa); Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe & Tiger Mask; Clark Connors, OSKAR & Yuto-Ice; and House of Torture (Ren Narita, SANADA & Yoshinobu Kanemaru).
Pre-Show — NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo (c) vs. Chris Brookes
El Phantasmo defends the NJPW World Television Championship against DDT Pro Wrestling's Chris Brookes, who makes his NJPW debut at the Tokyo Dome.
What To Expect
Wrestle Kingdom 20 carries immense emotional weight with Tanahashi's final match serving as the centerpiece. The Ace has been the heart of New Japan Pro-Wrestling through its modern era, and his retirement against Okada provides the perfect bookend to one of wrestling's greatest rivalries.
Beyond the main event, the card features significant championship implications with multiple Winner Takes All matches that could reshape NJPW's title picture heading into 2026. The debuts of Aaron Wolf and Chris Brookes, plus Andrade's return, add fresh intrigue to the proceedings.
Wrestle Kingdom 20 airs live Sunday on NJPW World.