NJPW Announces G1 Climax 2026 Play-In Tournament Schedule & Participants

As noted before, Sunday’s NJPW Dominion 2026 event featured NJPW officially announcing 14 of the 20 competitors for this year’s G1 Climax tournament. Two of the remaining six mystery competitors were determined following United Empire’s HENARE & Great-O-Khan defeating Knockout Brothers’ OSKAR & Yuto-Ice for both the IWGP Tag Team Championship and guaranteed spots in this year’s G1 Climax tournament. The remaining four mystery spots were announced to go to the winners of this year’s Play-In tournament.

NJPW announced earlier today the full field of competitors and schedule for their upcoming Play-In tournament for the remaining spots in this year’s G1 Climax tournament.

It was announced that the winners of Taichi vs. Yuto-Ice and El Phantasmo vs. Ryohei Oiwa will take the final two spots in A Block. It was also announced that the winners of YOSHI-HASHI vs. Aaron Wolf and OSKAR vs. Yujiro Takahashi will take the final two spots in B Block.

2026 G1 Climax Play-In tournament schedule:

• June 23rd – A Block Play-In – Taichi vs. Yuto-Ice
• June 23rd – B Block Play-In – YOSHI-HASHI vs. Aaron Wolf
• July 6th – B Block Play-In – OSKAR vs. Yujiro Takahashi
• July 6th – A Block Play-In – El Phantasmo vs. Ryohei Oiwa

NJPW’s official website:

G1 Play-In Matches set for Korakuen Hall!

June 23, July 6 sees four play in bouts to complete field

At Dominion, the first 16 entrants into G1 Climax 36 were confirmed, with 14 names joined by the two IWGP Tag Team Champions HENARE and Great-O-Khan. On the Road to g1 Climax however, we will have the final spots set across four playin matches, with two taking place on each of the June 23 and July 6 cards.

On June 23, Taichi, relegated to the playins after ending G1 Climax 35 at the bottom of his block, will attempt to qualify against a Yuto-Ice fighting to be in his first G1. Two spots in the G1 went to the IWGP Tag team Champions, but after Great-O-Khan and HENARE shocked the Knockout Bros. to capture the gold, Ice was left without an automatic path. Taichi, who had been hugely impressive in tag team victory earlier in the evening, challenged Ice to the play-in shot and the two will main event in Korakuen for a spot in A Block.

Also on the evening, new NEVER Openweight Champion Aaron Wolf will take on YOSHI-HASHI. As Taichi ended at the bottom of A Block last year, YOSHI-HASHI was at the bottom of B despite a fast start to the tournament. His play-in comes against the Olympic gold medalist who shot to success over Ren Narita to finally regain the NEVER gold. Now a shot to be the strongest of the summer from B Block is on the line.

On July 6, the other B Block play-in sees Ice’s tag partner OSKAR battling Yujiro Takahashi. This marks Yujiro’s third consecutive attempt to play into the G1, anjd the third time could be a dark charm if HOUSE OF TORTURE have their way. Yet a furious giant on the receiving end of a shock title defeat and then brutal post match attack will be in no mood for H.O.T games.

Also on the night, joint bottom finishers in A and B Block last year, Ryohei Oiwa and El Phantasmo will go head to head. The style, strength and substance of Oiwa will face the fire and flash of ELP on the evening. After both suffered painful losses in Osaka Jo Hall, who can bounce back and start their summer campaign strong? Find out ont he Road to G1 Climax 36!