Yota Tsuji Set To Defend IWGP Heavyweight Title Against New Japan Cup Winner at Sakura Genesis in April

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) confirmed the next IWGP Heavyweight Title challenge for reigning champion Yota Tsuji. Yota Tsuji will defend his title in April at Sakura Genesis 2026.

NJPW will kick off the 2026 New Japan Cup Tournament on Saturday, March 4. The first event will be held at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The finals will take place on March 21 at the Aore Nagaoka in Niigata, Japan. The winner will then go on to challenge Tsuji for his coveted belt.

Yota Tsuji was also in action last night at the NJPW The New Beginning USA in the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. He successfully defended his IWGP Global Heavyweight Title against AEW star Andrade El Idolo.

After winning the IWGP World Heavyweight Title at Wrestle Kingdom earlier this year, Tsuji then restored the IWGP Heavyweight Championship lineage, subsequently retiring the IWGP Intercontinental Title as well. He then announced his intention to defend only the IWGP Global Heavyweight Title at international events, or “against invaders from other companies.”

Meanwhile, Tsuji said he only intends to defend the IWGP Heavyweight Title “in Japan by the best of New Japan.” Thus far, it looks like he’s kept to that claim. Now, Yota Tsuji be defending his heavyweight title in Japan against the next winner of the New Japan Cup at NJPW Sakura Genesis 2026 on April 4.

NJPW Sakura Genesis 2026 will be held at the Ryogoku Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan. It will stream live on NJPW World.

April 4, NJPW is back in the historic home of sumo, and the New Japan Cup winner challenges Yota Tsuji!

Sakura Genesis tickets are available worldwide in English!

🎟️🌍https://t.co/74MWSAlV8Q#njsg pic.twitter.com/jw62dqckw9

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) February 27, 2026