New Title "Pokémon UNITE" Added, 8 Titles Confirmed for Coca-Cola STAGE:0 eSPORTS High-School Championship 2026!

* According to STAGE:0 Executive Committee research. Based on a survey of the number of participants (publicly announced) in esports tournaments targeting only high school students (affiliated with high schools, colleges of technology, secondary education schools in the latter half of the course, or high school departments of special needs schools) from 2015-2025 (as of March 1, 2025)

TV Tokyo Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Hiroshi Yoshitsugu) and Dentsu Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Chisato Matsumoto) will host the 8th annual inter-high school national esports tournament, "Coca-Cola STAGE:0 eSPORTS High-School Championship 2026." Entries will open on April 2nd (Thursday) on the official tournament website (URL: https://stage0.jp/). Block representative決定戦 (block representative決定戦) will be held across 8 blocks nationwide from June to July, the National Semifinals in mid-to-late July, and the National Grand Finals in August.

"Pokémon UNITE" Newly Added This Year! 8 Titles Confirmed!

The adopted titles for this tournament have been decided as 8 in total, including the familiar titles from previous years such as "Clash Royale," "League of Legends," "VALORANT," "Fortnite," and "Overwatch," in addition to "Brawl Stars" and "Street Fighter 6" which were added last year, and this year, the 5-on-5 team strategy battle game "Pokémon UNITE" has also been newly added.

Team entries will be accepted on the official tournament website from April 2nd (Thursday) to May 21st (Thursday) at 17:00 (JST) (*). The website will also be updated regularly with information and content regarding the tournament and matches, and the latest information will be announced on the official tournament X account.

* Acceptance period may change depending on application status.

National Grand Finals to be Held in Osaka Again This Year!

The "Coca-Cola STAGE:0 eSPORTS High-School Championship 2026" will hold its National Grand Finals in August in Osaka again this year, following the 2025 tournament which was held at the Osaka-Kansai Expo. This year's National Grand Finals will take place at "COOL JAPAN PARK OSAKA WW Hall," a new entertainment hub located within Osaka Castle Park, where heated battles will unfold to determine the best high school esports team in Japan.

◆STAGE:0 2026 National Grand Finals Overview

Dates: August 14 (Fri) - August 16 (Sun), 2026

Venue: COOL JAPAN PARK OSAKA WW Hall

Streaming Schedule

◎Clash Royale Division

National Tournament: August 1 (Sat) *1

◎Brawl Stars Division

National Semifinals: July 26 (Sun),

National Grand Finals: August 15 (Sat)

◎League of Legends Division

National Semifinals: July 12 (Sun),

National Grand Finals: August 14 (Fri)

◎Fortnite Division

National Tournament: August 2 (Sun)

◎VALORANT Division

National Semifinals: July 11 (Sat),

National Grand Finals: August 15 (Sat)

◎Overwatch Division

National Semifinals: July 19 (Sun),

National Grand Finals: August 16 (Sun)

◎Street Fighter 6 Division

National Semifinals: July 20 (Mon/Holiday),

National Grand Finals: August 14 (Fri)

◎Pokémon UNITE Division

National Semifinals: July 25 (Sat),

National Grand Finals: August 16 (Sun)

* Streaming dates are subject to change.

*1 The Clash Royale Division will hold its National Semifinals and National Grand Finals on the same day.

Participant Eligibility

• Must be a high school student, part-time high school student, technical college student, or correspondence high school student residing in Japan.

• Must be born between April 2, 2008, and April 1, 2011.

• Must participate as a team from the same school.

Ungirls' Tanaka Appointed as Ambassador, Akari Nibu as Special Supporter Again This Year!

■Takushi Tanaka (Ungirls) Support Comment

STAGE:0 is being held in Osaka again this year. This year, Pokémon UNITE has been added as a competitive title, and it seems that the number of participants and schools will increase even further! Do you want to test your gaming skills to become a professional gamer? Do you want to create a big memory with your friends during high school? Do you want to participate in the excitement even if you're not good at games? Whatever the reason, please participate with your high school friends! STAGE:0 has become a tournament that can embrace everyone's passionate feelings! Leave it to us!

■Akari Nibu Support Comment

I am truly delighted to be appointed as a special supporter for STAGE:0 again this year, following last year! This year, the number of titles has increased to 8, and I believe STAGE:0 is becoming an increasingly significant presence in the world of esports! May this time spent with your teammates be etched in your hearts, and may it become the best summer memory for all of you. I will be cheering you on with all my might!

"STAGE:0 eSPORTS High-School Championship 2026" Tournament Overview

■Japan's Largest Esports Tournament to Determine the True "Japan's Best" High School Team, with a Total of 8,293 Participants from Across the Country!

"STAGE:0" is an inter-high school esports tournament where teams from the same high school compete for the title of Japan's best. In last year's 7th tournament, a total of 2,575 teams and 8,293 high school students from across the country entered! The largest number of participants ever was recorded, and the best high school team in Japan was decided at the National Grand Finals held at the Osaka-Kansai Expo. Furthermore, the total live streaming viewership for the tournament reached approximately 23.06 million, making it Japan's largest* "high school esports festival." This 8th tournament will feature online block representative tournaments from June to July, the National Semifinals in mid-to-late July, and the National Grand Finals, which will again be held in Osaka in August, where the best high school team in Japan will be determined. Who will defeat the strong schools gathered from all over the country and claim the throne of Japan's best!? We will work together with high school students to make this summer's intense battles exciting!!

* According to STAGE:0 Executive Committee research. Based on a survey of the number of participants (publicly announced) in esports tournaments targeting only high school students (affiliated with high schools, colleges of technology, secondary education schools in the latter half of the course, or high school departments of special needs schools) from 2015-2025 (as of March 1, 2025)

■Tournament Purpose:

The name "STAGE:0" embodies the meaning "everything begins from this stage." We aim to provide a stage where high school students nationwide can connect through the culture of esports, compete and be recognized with their teammates, and grow through their activities.

Please look forward to it.

■Organizers: STAGE:0 eSPORTS High-School Championship 2026 Executive Committee (TV Tokyo, Dentsu)

■Support: Japan Esports Union, Online Game & Esports Parliamentary League, and others

■Top Sponsor: Coca-Cola (Japan) Company, Limited

■Gold Sponsors: The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, Limited, NGK Insulators, Ltd.

■Media Partners:

Hokkaido Shimbun Press, TV Hokkaido, Kahoku Shimpo Publishing Co., Tohoku Broadcasting Co., Ltd.,

Chunichi Shimbun, TV Aichi, Sankei Shimbun, TV Osaka,

Chugoku Shimbun, RCC Broadcasting Co., Ltd., Nishinippon Shimbun, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting Co., Ltd., TV Setouchi

FAQ

When will STAGE:0 2026 be held?

The National Grand Finals will be held in Osaka from August 14 (Fri) to August 16 (Sun), 2026. Entries open on April 2 (Thu).

What new game title has been added?

This year, the team strategy battle game "Pokémon UNITE" has been newly added as a competitive title, bringing the total to 8 titles.

Who can participate in STAGE:0 2026?

High school students, part-time high school students, technical college students, and correspondence high school students residing in Japan, born between April 2, 2008, and April 1, 2011, are eligible.

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