Already set for its annual date of 5/23-the anniversary of her tragic death-more details about the 2026 Hana Kimura Memorial Event were announced today:
As has been the case every year it has been held, it will be at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Start time will be 11:30 AM JST which means 5/22 at 7:30 PM PT/10:30 PM ET in the US.
Broadcast plans TBA. Normally it has been available outside Japan on Triller/FITE either as a PPV or aa part of the Triller+ subscription service. If it’s a PPV, anticipate a $20-25 price that includes the live stream and unlimited on demand replays for as long as it is available on the service. (Hopefully forever). Last year’s event, which originally was a PPV, is now part of the Triller+ service so if you didn’t buy it you can watch with a subscription for $7.99/month or $79.99/year with a 1-week free trial for new subscribers.
The first matches were also announced: Tsutomu Oosugi, Banana Chika & TBA vs. Kaede Kobayashi, TBA & TBA and Hiroyo Matsumoto vs. Hanako Nakamori. Expect mostly comedy matches and lighter themes and also a comedy battle royal that celebrate different themes & hobbies of Hana’s life & too-short career.
More as it becomes available.
UPDATE: Additional wrestler participation has been announced: Super Delfin, Sakura Hirota, Veny, Ram Kaichow, Jungle Kyona. Cooperating promotions announced include Sendai Girls and Evolution (owned & operated by All-Japan wrestler Suwama). The event’s executive committee chairperson will be longtime wrestler Nanae Takahashi.