The All Japan Judo Federation announced the official tournament brackets for the 2026 Kodokan Cup All-Japan Weight Class Judo Championships, scheduled for November 7 and 8, 2026, at Chiba Port Arena (Chiba City, Japan). The upcoming tournament serves as a direct selection event for the Grand Slam Tokyo 2026 international competition, which takes place December 5 and 6, 2026, at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, according to federation announcements.
Chiba Port Arena Schedule and Weight Divisions
Competition across both days opens at 09:00 local time and is scheduled to close at 17:00. The opening day on Saturday, November 7, features all seven women’s weight categories: 48kg, 52kg, 57kg, 63kg, 70kg, 78kg, and 78kg-plus. Federation notes indicate that first-round matches in both the 57kg and 70kg divisions will run across split competition tatami areas.
Sunday, November 8, shifts to the men’s brackets across their seven classes: 60kg, 66kg, 73kg, 81kg, 90kg, 100kg, and 100kg-plus. First-round bouts in the 81kg division will similarly utilize multiple separated match areas. The two-day tournament draws seeded national team athletes alongside top competitors advancing through regional preliminaries from university, corporate, high school, and police squads.
Broadcast and Live Streaming Coverage
Fans unable to attend the venue in Chiba can follow the matches through multiple media outlets. The All Japan Judo Federation confirmed that its official streaming platform, Zenjuren TV, will broadcast live coverage of every match across both competition days.
BS11 scheduled a television broadcast for Sunday, November 8, from 19:00 to 20:55 local time. The broadcast program will also be made available for streaming on TVer immediately following the conclusion of the television airtime.
Ticket Sales and Seating Options
General admission tickets are distributed through Ticket Pia and eplus. Buyers purchasing via Ticket Pia can secure tickets at Seven-Eleven convenience store multi-copy terminals, while eplus purchasers utilize FamilyMart store terminals. The federation noted that general advance sales are subject to capacity limits, and if planned advance inventories sell out entirely, organizers will not offer venue day-tickets.
Spectators purchasing S-designated and A-designated seating tiers can select specific seat locations during the purchase process.
National Team Selection Implications
Beyond determining individual weight-class champions, results at Chiba Port Arena carry heavy weight for the national program. The tournament functions as the official selection qualifier for the Japanese squad heading to Grand Slam Tokyo 2026. Outcomes across the weekend dictate selections for the national federation's second-semester elite athlete roster and shape the talent pipeline for upcoming international assignments.
Grand Slam Tokyo 2026 Timeline
The path established at the Kodokan Cup leads directly into the international arena. Selected athletes will step back onto the tatami nearly a month later at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium for Grand Slam Tokyo 2026, scheduled for December 5 and 6, 2026.
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