What is the NJPW New Year Dash? Everything you need to know
NJPW New Year Dash is New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s annual “reset button” show, traditionally held the night after Wrestle Kingdom in Tokyo. If Wrestle Kingdom is the promotion’s biggest stage, New Year Dash is the first chapter of what comes next: new rivalries, new alliances, and the first clear hints of where NJPW is headed for the early months of the year.
When does NJPW New Year Dash take place?
New Year Dash is usually held on January 5, the day after Wrestle Kingdom (which is traditionally January 4). In years when Wrestle Kingdom expanded to multiple nights, New Year Dash has shifted to January 6. The event did not take place in 2022, but it returned when Wrestle Kingdom went back to a one night format.
Why fans care about New Year Dash
The easiest way to understand New Year Dash is this: it is where NJPW starts the year’s next wave of storylines after Wrestle Kingdom wraps up major feuds and title programs. This is the show where you often see unexpected tag matches, fresh matchups, and the early seeds for programs that lead into The New Beginning events and beyond.
Because it is built around momentum and surprise, New Year Dash has a reputation for feeling unpredictable compared to a typical touring card. Even when the matches are mostly multi man tags, the combinations can reveal who is being positioned for bigger singles bouts, title shots, or faction drama in the weeks ahead.
Is the New Year Dash card announced in advance?
Traditionally, New Year Dash leans into mystery. In many years, NJPW has kept matchups under wraps until the show begins, sometimes even revealing matches as wrestlers make their entrances.
That said, NJPW can change the approach year to year. For example, reporting around the 2026 event noted the “mystery card” tradition while also pointing out that NJPW released more details than usual this time.
How to watch NJPW New Year Dash
New Year Dash typically streams live on NJPW World, NJPW’s direct subscription service, with replays available after the event. If you are a newer fan, it is one of the easiest shows to jump into because it quickly tells you what matters right now and who is aligned with who coming out of Wrestle Kingdom.
NJPW New Year Dash quick facts
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| What it is | Annual NJPW event held after Wrestle Kingdom |
| Usual date | January 5 (sometimes January 6 in two night years) |
| What to expect | Post Wrestle Kingdom storyline resets, surprises, new feuds |
| Card announcement | Often a mystery until show time, but can vary by year |
| Where to watch | NJPW World |
Jake is an SEO-minded Football, Combat Sports, Gaming and Pro Wrestling writer, successful Editor in Chief, Sports SEO Coordinator for NationalWorld and SEO Writer for F4Wonline.com. He has more than ten years of experience covering mixed martial arts, pro wrestling, football and gaming across a number of publications, starting at SEScoops in 2012 under the name Jake Jeremy. His work has also been featured on Wrestling Headlines, Wrestlingnewsco, HotNewHipHop, The Hard Times and Sportskeeda.
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