DMC JAPAN DJ CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026

April 4, 2026 | Tokyo, Japan | Team RJHH

The world’s largest and longest-running DJ competition, the DMC World DJ Championships, is set to launch its 2026 Japanese edition. Founded in London in 1985 on the principle that “DJs are the heart of tomorrow’s music“, this historic competition has produced world-class artists such as Mix Master Mike and A-Trak. In Japan, where the championships have been held since 1990, the scene is more vibrant than ever, bolstered by the recent success of DJ FUMMY, who secured the world title last year, and DJ Matsunaga, who recently swept seven awards at the 2025 Music Awards Japan.

Registration and Key Dates

Supported by Technics, the legendary creator of world-standard turntables, the DMC JAPAN DJ CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 is now accepting entries for the eliminations. This year’s schedule features two major online selection phases leading up to the national final:

Online Eliminations for the CLASSIC Category: These will take place in June, with an entry deadline of Sunday, June 14.
Online Eliminations for BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY, SCRATCH BATTLE, and THE OPEN: These selections will be held in July, and candidates must submit their entries by Sunday, July 12.

Four Categories for One Champion Title

Competitors can battle in four distinct disciplines, each highlighting different aspects of DJing:

CLASSIC: The most prestigious. and the traditional category.
BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY: Intense head-to-head duels.
SCRATCH BATTLE: A technical test focused purely on scratching skills.
THE OPEN: The “next-generation” category with no equipment restrictions.

The Road to the World Final

DJs who successfully advance through the eliminations will compete at the JAPAN FINAL on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at WOMBLIVE in Shibuya, Tokyo. The national winner will earn the honor of representing Japan at the WORLD FINAL, scheduled for November 12 to 15, 2026 (venue to be announced). With growing mainstream attention—highlighted by current Japan champion HIRATEMARINO’s performance at the WBC opening ceremony—the battle to be crowned Japan’s No. 1 is set to be more intense than ever.

TITLE
DMC JAPAN DJ CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 supported by Technics

SCHEDULE
June: Online Elimination for CLASSIC
July: Online Elimination for BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY / SCRATCH BATTLE / THE OPEN
August 29 (Sat): JAPAN FINAL at WOMBLIVE in Shibuya / Tokyo
November 12 (Thu) – 15 (Sun): WORLD FINAL (Venue: TBA…)

ENTRY DEADLINE
CLASSIC: June 14 (Sun)
BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY / SCRATCH BATTLE / THE OPEN: July 12 (Sun)

DMC JAPAN FINAL 2025 DIGEST VIDEO