Feb. 7, 2026 (Tokyo) — K-1 today announced the return of the K-1 World MAX 2026 –70kg World Championship Tournament, featuring the most demanding format in the tournament’s history, with qualifying events to be held across eight countries worldwide.

The announcement was made by K-1 Producer Genki Sudo at the official weigh-in for the K-1 WORLD GP 2026 –90kg World Championship Tournament, scheduled to take place at Yoyogi National Gymnasium No. 2 in Tokyo.

Tournament Overview

The 2026 K-1 World MAX will be conducted through a multi-stage global qualification system, with fighters advancing from international qualifying tournaments to the FINAL16 in Japan, and ultimately to the year-end championship.

For the first time, K-1 will collaborate directly with international promoters to stage official qualifying tournaments in multiple regions around the world.

Global Qualifying Locations

Qualifying tournaments are planned for the following locations:

• Rome, Italy
• Canary Islands, Spain
• Athens, Greece
• Melbourne, Australia
• Bucharest, Romania
• São Paulo, Brazil
• Yekaterinburg, Russia
• Utrecht, Netherlands

Romania, Brazil, Russia, and the Netherlands will each host eight-man, one-day tournaments, with the winners advancing toward the FINAL16 stage of the tournament.

Italy, Spain, Greece, and Australia will each host four-man, one-day tournaments. The winners of these four tournaments will advance to the World Qualification Finals, to be held at Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall B on July 20, 2026. The matchups will be Italy vs. Spain and Greece vs. Australia, with the two winners securing the final places in the FINAL16.

In total, six fighters advancing from global qualifiers, along with ten nationally selected representatives, will compete in the FINAL16, scheduled for Sept. 12, 2026, at Yoyogi National Gymnasium No. 2 in Tokyo.

The eight fighters who advance will move on to the K-1 World MAX 2026 –70kg World Championship Tournament Final, set for Dec. 29, 2026, at Yokohama BUNTAI, where the world champion will be determined in a one-day tournament.

Commenting on the expanded format, Producer Genki Sudo stated:

“The top fighters who advance from each qualifying tournament will take part in the K-1 WORLD MAX Final Tournament at the end of the year. This year’s WORLD MAX is a tournament where the world takes center stage.”

In addition, K-1 confirmed that the –90kg Cruiserweight division will follow a similar global qualification structure, with its championship final scheduled for Feb. 2027.

With this expanded format, K-1 establishes a clear global pathway from international qualifiers to the WORLD MAX Final Tournament.

Comments from International Promoters:
Spain
Ana Sordo (WAKO Spain) “We have decided to hold a K-1 MAX event in the Canary Islands on May 16. We would be delighted to welcome everyone and hope fans will enjoy the event.”

Romania
Alin Hui (Dynamite Fighting Show) “We organize 29 events per year. On April 3, we will hold an eight-man tournament in Bucharest. I have watched K-1 since I was a child, so it is a great honor for us to be able to work together as part of the K-1 family. Going forward, we hope to continue sending outstanding fighters from Romania and Eastern Europe to kickboxing in Japan.”

The following messages were delivered via video:
Australia
George Longinidis (IRON LION Promotions) “It is a great honor to welcome the traditional K-1 brand back to Australia.”

Greece
George Harkidis and Babis Papadopoulos (Spartan’s Night) “We are truly honored to be working together with K-1, the world’s largest and highest-level kickboxing organization.”

For more information, please visit:
https://www.k-1.world
https://www.k-1.co.jp/

Media Contact:
pr@k-1.world

About K-1
Founded in 1993, K-1 reshaped the world of stand-up fighting with its unified ruleset and international tournaments. From Tokyo to Las Vegas, it is where legends are made — and where new ones continue to rise.

About M-1 Sports Media KK
M-1 Sports Media KK is a Tokyo-based company and exclusive owner of the K-1 brand. Focused on global growth and athlete promotion, M-1 is revitalizing kickboxing for a new generation.