DMC Japan DJ Championships 2026 Final : August 29 at Shibuya WOMB LIVE

The DMC Japan DJ Championships 2026 Final takes place this Saturday, August 29, at WOMB LIVE in Shibuya, from 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Forty-four finalists, selected through regional qualifiers across the country from Hokkaido to Kyushu, will compete across four distinct categories. Advance tickets are priced at ¥4,500 (¥3,000 for under-22s), with a ZONe ENERGY drink included.

The DMC World DJ Championships have been running since 1985. Japan’s chapter has been active since 1990, and ranks among the most prolific in the world: DJ KENTARO, DJ IZOH, and Creepy Nuts’ DJ Matsunaga all came through it. Last year, the World Finals were held in Japan for the first time, drawing close to 3,000 attendees, with a Japanese contender taking the world title. Four categories are on the card: “Classic, the flagship six-minute routine format; “Battle for Supremacy,” a direct head-to-head; “Scratch Battle,” focused entirely on scratch technique; and “The Open,” a newer category with no gear restrictions. Three defending champions will be on the floor: Hirate Marino in Classic, DJ NOLLI in Battle for Supremacy, and PACHI-YELLOW in The Open, the latter also opening the evening as the first act.

The judging panel is made up of champions. DJ IZOH (2012 DMC World Champion) and DJ Matsunaga (2019 DMC World Supremacy Champion) headline the Classic and Battle for Supremacy jury, with Matsunaga making his first return to the Japan Final stage as a World Champion despite his schedule with Creepy Nuts. The Scratch Battle panel includes Miyajima Jukucho (2007 DMC Japan Champion) and DJ KEITA (2025 DMC Japan Scratch Battle Champion). The Open is judged by DJ IKU (2010 Red Bull 3Style Japan Champion) and PACHI-YELLOW.

The guest lineup brings DUSTY HUSKY for a live set, fresh off a self-organized camper van tour through all 47 Japanese prefectures, alongside DJ BUNTA, three-time Japan Supremacy Champion (2008, 2010, 2023). DJ KEN-ONE and BAKU will perform using KORG’s portable “handytraxx” turntable. The night is hosted by DARTHREIDER (Classic and Battle for Supremacy) and Cypress Ueno (Scratch Battle and The Open). A crowdfunding campaign is also running to cover travel expenses for Japan’s champions heading to the World Finals in London. Supporter rewards include limited-edition Technics apparel and rare items from DMC history. Tickets via ZAIKO. Full finalist lists and more at dmc-japan.jp.

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