A global tour of kickboxing: K-1's expansive 2026 schedule
In short: The 33rd year of K-1 is defined by a massive international circuit. From the Yoyogi Gymnasium in Tokyo to the streets of Bucharest and São Paulo, the promotion is taking its championship tournaments to nearly every corner of the globe in 2026.
The year 2026 marks the 33rd year of operations for K-1, a major global kickboxing promotion. The competitive calendar begins in Tokyo, Japan, on February 8, 2026, with the K-1 World GP 2026 -90kg World Championship Tournament held at the Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium. This opening event sets the stage for a high-stakes season of combat.
As the year progresses, the promotion expands its footprint through various co-promotions. In April 2026, K-1 holds events in Bucharest, Romania, with Dynamite Fighting Show, and in Melbourne, Australia, alongside Iron Lion Promotions. This momentum continues through May and June with events in the Canary Islands, Spain, and São Paulo, Brazil, the latter of which is a co-promotion with WGP Kickboxing. The tour also includes a stop in Athens, Greece, and a visit to Utrecht in the Netherlands. Additionally, a special event called K-1 Genki will take place in Tokyo during April.
The schedule remains dense through the second half of the year. In September 2026, the focus shifts to Yokohama, Japan, for the -70kg World Championship Tournament Final 16, and Sangju, South Korea, for the K-1 Fighting Network in Korea. The year's momentum carries into October with events in Iași, Romania, and Dortmund, Germany, as the promotion continues its global reach. The promotion also heads to Yekaterinburg, Russia, during the spring. Furthermore, a tournament in Brasília, Brazil, is set for late September.
These tournaments serve as critical pathways for fighters. For instance, the 16 competitors in the -70kg division in Yokohama are fighting for a position in an 8-man tournament scheduled for December 2026. This structure ensures that only the most elite athletes reach the final championship rounds.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2026 in K-1
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