New Japan Pro Wrestling G1 Climax 36 kicks off in Illinois

The G1 Climax 36 tournament opened at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, on July 11, 2026. Early matches saw Aaron Wolf defeat HENARE, Jake Lee beat Shingo Takagi, OSKAR win over Ren Narita by referee stoppage, and Zack Sabre Jr. overcome Shota Umino. The event featured competitors across both A and B blocks, including Hirooki Goto, SANADA, Yuto‑Ice, Great‑O‑Khan, and Callum Newman.

Ticket distribution for the night’s show reached 3,596 tickets, an increase of 233 from five days earlier, with the cheapest "get‑in" price listed at $65. The venue previously hosted AEW events drawing 8,968 fans in December 2025 and 4,982 fans in May 2025.