July 20 (Mon, Holiday): GAORA SPORTS to Live Broadcast All Matches of DRAGONGATE's Biggest Annual Event, 'KOBE Pro Wrestling Festival 2026' – Pre-Show Special Featuring Makoto Miyane Reveals Key Highlights!

CS broadcaster GAORA SPORTS will live stream the major event 'KOBE Pro Wrestling Festival 2026' by the popular pro wrestling promotion DRAGONGATE, taking place on Monday, July 20 (a national holiday), at Kobe World Memorial Hall.

Additionally, a special pre-event program will air on Friday, July 17, featuring free announcer Makoto Miyane, a close associate of DRAGONGATE, who will discuss the highlights and key storylines of the upcoming show.

Kikuta vs. Kzy (July 2, Korakuen Hall)

Held annually in DRAGONGATE’s home base of Kobe, the 'KOBE Pro Wrestling Festival' is the promotion’s biggest annual event, drawing passionate fans from across Japan. This year’s edition takes place on July 20 (a national holiday). GAORA SPORTS will provide complete live coverage starting at 2:45 PM JST.

The main event features the 'Open the Dream Gate Championship,' DRAGONGATE’s top title. Current champion Kikuta, leader of the villainous unit 'Gaja Dokuro,' will defend against Kzy, who celebrates his 20th anniversary in professional wrestling this year. Kzy has challenged for this title seven times before but has never won, enduring years of heartbreak. This marks his eighth and perhaps final shot at glory.

At a July event in Korakuen Hall, champion Kikuta harshly criticized Kzy, stating: 'You’ve accomplished nothing in 20 years—how could you possibly become Dream Gate Champion now? I’ll take all your rotten two decades and crush them.' Kzy fired back: 'Chasing dreams means believing in yourself—I’ll never betray that. I’ll prove it by defeating you! As the sun in the ring, the symbol of DRAGONGATE’s spirit, I’ll beat you and close the show in Kobe with a smile!' All eyes are on whether Kzy can finally achieve his long-awaited first championship victory.

Kikuta vs. Kzy (July 2, Korakuen Hall)

The semi-main event is the 'Open the Brave Gate Championship,' contested by junior heavyweights under 82 kg. Current champion Takashi Yoshida aims to extend his record-setting title defenses. His challenger, Hokuto, is determined to stop him, declaring, 'I won’t let you set a new record!' Will Yoshida break the defense record, or will Hokuto claim his first title? GM Ryo Saijo has stated, 'I’m fully behind this Brave Gate clash,' making this a must-see battle.

Hokuto vs. Takashi Yoshida (June 5, Korakuen Hall)

Match 6 features the 'Open the Twin Gate Championship,' the tag team pinnacle. The reigning champions, ISHIN and Kaito Kiyoshi—known as 'Team 204kg'—will face the newly formed tag team of Yuki Yagi and Kota Minoura. Can this rising duo overcome the dominant champions?

Kota Minoura, Yuki Yagi (July 2, Korakuen Hall)

Kaito Kiyoshi, ISHIN (July 2, Korakuen Hall)

Match 3 is the 'Open the Triangle Gate Championship,' symbolizing unit pride. Currently vacant, the winner of this match will become the historic 100th champions. Competing for the title are Strong Machine J, U-T, and GuC (unit: NATURAL VIBES) versus Hyo, JACKY KAMEI, and Riiita (unit: LOVE&PEACE). Which unit will claim the 100th reign?

U-T, Strong Machine J, GuC

Riiita, Hyo, JACKY KAMEI

Beyond title matches, Match 4 features Shun Skywalker, who has announced his departure from DRAGONGATE in August. This will be his final match in his home base of Kobe, drawing significant emotional attention.

Shun Skywalker

In Match 2, 'The Fighting Salaryman' Shinnosuke Nishibashi receives a 'Summer Bonus Match' from GM Ryo Saijo—against none other than former world champion Makoto Hamakuchi!

Shinnosuke Nishibashi

GAORA SPORTS will broadcast all matches live starting at 2:45 PM. The event will also be available via pay-per-view live streaming on the video platform 'GAORA On Demand' and on DRAGONGATE’s official streaming service, 'DRAGONGATE NETWORK.' Don’t miss the biggest event of the year!

To further hype the event, a special pre-show titled 'Makoto Miyane Can’t Stay Silent! DRAGONGATE KOBE Pro Wrestling Festival 2026 Pre-Show Special' will air on Friday, July 17, at 6:00 PM. The show will feature DRAGONGATE’s Takanori Tachibana, along with popular commentator Katsuya Ichikawa. Miyane promises, 'These are all incredible matches,' and will break down the key matchups, storylines, and current unit dynamics. Watching this special will ensure you get the most out of the biggest show of the year—don’t miss it before the live broadcast!

Katsuya Ichikawa, Makoto Miyane, Takanori Tachibana

'KOBE Pro Wrestling Festival 2026' Full Match Card:

[Advance Bout – Six-Man Tag Team Match]

Shachihoko Boy & Takanori Tachibana & Mondragon vs. HoHo Lun & Richi Tomioka & Tristan Moody

[Match 1: Tag Team Match]

Kota Minoura & Kaito Kiyoshi vs. Ryu Fuda & @KEY

[Match 2: Shinnosuke Nishibashi’s Summer Bonus!! Special Singles Match]

Shinnosuke Nishibashi vs. Makoto Hamakuchi

[Match 3: 100th Open the Triangle Gate Championship Decider]

Strong Machine J & U-T & GuC vs. Hyo & JACKY KAMEI & Riiita

[Match 4: SSW DRAGONGATE KOBE FINAL – International Special Six-Man Tag 3-Way Match]

Shun Skywalker & Genki Horiguchi & El Cid

vs

Flamita & Luis Mante & Dragon Bane (Pro Wrestling NOAH)

vs

KAI & Jason Lee & Alpha Wolf (TEAM 2000X)

[Match 5: YAMATO 20th Anniversary Commemoration Match – Part 1: Special 12-Man Tag Team Match]

YAMATO & Dragon Kid & BxB Hulk & Susumu Yokosuka & KAGETORA & Naruki Doi

vs

Último Dragón & Naruki Doi & Don Fujii & Genki Horiguchi & Hiroyuki Kanda & Kenichiro Arai

[Match 6: Open the Twin Gate Championship]

{Champions} ISHIN & Kaito Kiyoshi vs. {Challengers} Yuki Yagi & Kota Minoura

[Match 7: Open the Brave Gate Championship]

{Champion} Takashi Yoshida vs. {Challenger} Hokuto

[Match 8: Open the Dream Gate Championship]

{Champion} Kikuta vs. {Challenger} Kzy