Ready for the G1 Climax?
The annual tournament doesn’t start until July, but New Japan Pro-Wrestling has just released the full schedule on when the matches for the tournament will start and end. The G1 Climax will officially begin on July 19 and the finals will take place on August 17.
Of course, plans can always change so nothing is concrete, but since NJPW officials are releasing the full schedule then it means that they’ve locked these dates down for the popular tournament.
Originally, the tournament started in 1974 as the World League. It eventually evolved into the G1 Climax. It started off as a single-elimination tournament, but the G1 has evolved into a round-robin style tournament where the winner of most points in Block A meets Block B in the finals. Typically, the winner of that match will challenge the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion at Wrestle Kingdom.
The G1 Climax usually lasts for four weeks. The point system isn’t too different from the Best of the Super Juniors tournament; Whether it’s by pinfall, submission, countout, or disqualification, a win is worth two points. A draw is worth one point, and a loss gets you zero points.
The participants have yet to be announced for the tournament. Given that New Japan Pro-Wrestling is focusing on the Best of the Supers Juniors then it’s highly doubtful that they’re announced anytime soon, but the G1 Climax always produces exciting matches and this year shouldn’t be any different.
Will Hirooki Goto be champion long enough to make it into the G1 Climax? We’ll find out. In the meantime, check out the release schedule for the 2025 G1 Climax.
Full schedule:
OPENING WEEKEND- July 19 & 20
Hokkaido- Hokkai Kita Yell
NIGHT 3- July 23
Sendai: Sendai Sun Plaza Hall
NIGHT 4- July 24
Nagaoka- Ao-re Nagaoka
NIGHTS 5 & 6- July 25 & 26
Tokyo- Ota-ku Gymnasium
NIGHT 7- July 27
Nagoya- Port Messe Nagoya
NIGHT 8- July 30
Osaka- Yamato Arena
NIGHT 9- August 1
Kagawa- Sun Messe Kagawa
NIGHT 10- August 2
Hiroshima- Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall
NIGHT 11- August 3
Fukuoka- Fukuoka International Convention Center
NIGHT 12- August 5
Osaka- Intex Osaka
NIGHT 13- August 7
Tokyo- Korakuen Hall
NIGHT 14- August 8
Yokohama- Yokohama Budokan
NIGHT 15- August 10
Gunma- G Messe Gunma
NIGHT 16- August 13
Hamamatsu- Act City Hamamatsu
NIGHT 17- August 14
Tokyo- Korakuen Hall
NIGHTS 18 & 19- August 16 & 17
Tokyo- Ariake Arena