New Japan Pro Wrestling announced today that the Super J Cup will be returning in 2019 and will be held outside of Japan for the first time in history. Jushin Liger announced the news today at an NJPW press conference in Japan.

“In 1994, Jyushin Thunder Liger was inspired to propose the Super J-Cup, a single elimination tournament for junior heavyweight wrestlers from promotions around the world. The was an immense success, and from then on, it has served as an irregular Olympic style event; a festival for the world’s very best junior heavyweight wrestlers and a chance for its participants to shine bright on a global stage,” an NJPW press release reads.

Super J Cup 2019

The 3-day tournament will consist of 16 wrestlers competing in a single-elimination tournament.

The tournament dates and locations are:

  • Tacoma, WA at the Temple Theatre on August 22nd (Round 1)
  • San Francisco, CA at the SFSU Student Life Events Center on August 24th (Round 2)
  • Long Beach, CA at the Walter Pyramid on August 25th (Semi-Finals and Finals)

Tickets will go on sale Monday, June 24th.


Liger had the following to say regarding today’s announcement:

“I am honored to be the producer of ‘Super J-Cup 2019’. The excitement from Best of the Super Juniors hasn’t faded, and NJPW is planning another big tournament for the junior heavyweights. It’s been three years since the last tournament, a true all-star event filled with dream matches.”

“We’ve had several events in the United States over the last few years, including Madison Square Garden. Now, the juniors are taking over in America, as Super J-Cup hits the west coast,” Liger continued.
Super J Cup Previous Winners

  • 1994: Wild Pegasus
  • 1995: Jushin Liger
  • 2000: Jushin Liger
  • 2004: Naomichi Marufuji
  • 2009: Naomichi Marufuji
  • 2016: KUSHIDA