G1 Climax


The G1 Climax is a professional wrestling tournament held each August by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling promotion. Though it has sometimes been held as a single-elimination tournament, it is usually – and currently – held as a round-robin, with the most victorious wrestlers in each pool wrestling in a short tournament to decide that year's winner. Since [|2012], the winner of the tournament earns the right to challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at the following January's Wrestle Kingdom show.
In its current format, the tournament lasts four weeks. The winner of each pool is determined by a points system; two points for a victory, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss or no contest. Under the current format, double decisions are treated as draws.

Tournament history

NJPW had an annual tournament since 1974 under various names: the World League ; the MSG League ; the IWGP League, "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix. Most of these tournaments were dominated by NJPW's founding top star Antonio Inoki.
Although the 1983 winner, Hulk Hogan, was awarded a championship belt, this is not the beginning of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but its early version that was defended annually against the winner of the IWGP League of the year. The current IWGP Heavyweight Championship arrived only in 1987, replacing the old version.
In 1989, there was a World Cup Tournament, which included wrestlers from the then-Soviet Union. No tournament was held in 1990.
With Inoki's dominance over NJPW gone, the promotion established the G1 Climax tournament in [|1991] as a platform to showcase the company's top heavyweights and have them compete in round-robin matches where the winners of the two divisions would then square off in the tournament final. NJPW's then president Seiji Sakaguchi named the tournament after the G1 horse race. Though considered a continuation of the previous tournaments, officially NJPW does not recognize the earlier tournaments as part of the G1 Climax lineage. The first G1 was held from August 7 to August 11, 1991, at Tokyo's Ryōgoku Kokugikan. The winner of the tournament, assuming they are not already the champion, has traditionally earned a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Since 2012, the winner has earned the "Tokyo Dome IWGP Heavyweight Championship challenge rights certificate", a contract for a title shot at NJPW's largest event, Wrestle Kingdom in Tokyo Dome, held annually on January 4. Much like WWE's Money in the Bank contract, the certificate is kept in a briefcase that the wrestler then has to defend until the end of the year. Since its inception, the contract has only changed hands one time, on November 7, [|2020], at Power Struggle when Jay White defeated Kota Ibushi. In [|2021], the now retired IWGP Heavyweight Championship belt was given to G1 winner Kazuchika Okada instead of a briefcase. In 2015, the tournament format was changed with NJPW reducing the number of G1 Climax matches per show, giving the participating wrestlers more time to rest between matches. This increased the tournament's length to four weeks. In [|2016], Kenny Omega became the first non-Japanese wrestler to win the tournament.
The G1 Climax tournament has often been used as a platform for NJPW to push their rising stars. Wins by young up-and-comers over Japanese legends would usually take their respective careers to new heights. The first tournament was specifically created to make stars out of Keiji Muto, Masahiro Chono and Shinya Hashimoto, three NJPW wrestlers who had just returned to the promotion from their overseas learning excursions. Past winners include Muto, Chono, Hashimoto, Yuji Nagata, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and others who have gone on to become wrestling superstars.
Unlike the New Japan Cup, the G1 Climax features the then-reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion as one of the participants, except in 1992, 2001, 2004 and 2008, when then-champions Riki Choshu, Kazuyuki Fujita, and Keiji Muto, respectively, did not compete in the tournament. Often being labeled as a favorite to win the tournament, the IWGP Heavyweight Champion has reached the final five times, the first one being in 1995 when Keiji Muto won the tournament. Muto would repeat this feat again in 1999, but would lose the final to Manabu Nakanishi. Other then-reigning champions to reach the final include Kensuke Sasaki in 2000, Kazuyuki Fujita in 2005 and Yuji Nagata in 2007. Muto and Sasaki are the only two wrestlers to have won the G1 Climax while holding the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. As of 2026, every G1 Climax winner has held either the IWGP Heavyweight Championship or IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, with Konosuke Takeshita being the last to accomplish this by defeating Sabre Jr.">Zack Sabre Jr">Sabre Jr. for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at King of Pro-Wrestling on October 13, [|2025]. Overall, Antonio Inoki holds the record for most tournament wins with ten, while Masahiro Chono with his five wins holds the record for most tournament wins under its G1 Climax name. Hiroyoshi Tenzan has taken part in the G1 Climax tournament a record 21 times.
The opening night of the 2019 G1 Climax took place in Dallas, Texas, marking the first time the opening night took place outside Japan.
The finals for the 2020 G1 Climax took place in October due to the Summer Olympics originally intended to be held in Tokyo when the tournament is usually held, making this the first time the tournament took place in the Autumn.
The longest match in tournament history is Kota Ibushi vs. Sanada in the 2020 finals at 35 minutes and 12 seconds. The longest match with a decisive winner in the block stages of the tournament is Sanada vs. Kazuchika Okada in the 2019 tournament at 29 minutes and 47 seconds, 13 seconds shy of the 30-minute time limit. Conversely, the shortest match is Hirooki Goto vs. Toru Yano in the 2020 tournament at just 18 seconds.

List of winners

IWGP Heavyweight Championship challenge rights certificate

The tradition of G1 Climax winners getting an IWGP Heavyweight Championship title shot has been in place since the beginning of the tournament, with exceptions in [|1992], [|1993] and [|2001] as well as [|1995] and [|2000], when the champion won the tournament. This tradition can be traced back to the days of the IWGP League, with the championship itself being awarded the title per stipulation from 1983 to 1986 and the 1987 tournament being used to crown the first proper, full-time IWGP Heavyweight champion. 1988 would be the first time a title shot was awarded to the winner.
After winning the 2012 G1 Climax, Kazuchika Okada made a shocking statement to challenge Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 7. This would start a tradition that lasted every year until [|2024], when Zack Sabre Jr choose to face Tetsuya Naito at King or Pro-Wrestling, and would be repeated in 2025 with Konosuke Takeshita challenging Sabre Jr at the same event.
YearCertificate history--
1991Holder: Masahiro Chono
Lost to Tatsumi Fujinami for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on November 5, 1991 at Tokyo 3Days Battle
--
1992Holder: Masahiro Chono
Won the vacant NWA World Heavyweight Championship with winning the tournament on August 12, 1992
--
1993Holder: Tatsumi Fujinami
Choose not to pursue
--
1994Holder: Masahiro Chono
Lost to Shinya Hashimoto for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on September 27, [|1994] at G1 Climax Special
--
1995Holder: Keiji Muto
Was the IWGP Heavyweight Champion when winning the tournament on August 15, 1995
Defended against Junji Hirata in G1 Climax Special tour on September 25, 1995 at G1 Climax Special
And defended against Nobuhiko Takada in New Japan Pro Wrestling vs UWF International on October 9, 1995
--
1996Holder: Riki Choshu
Lost to Kensuke Sasaki for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on January 4, [|1997] at Wrestling World
--
1997Holder: Kensuke Sasaki
Defeated Shinya Hashimoto for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on August 31, 1997 at Final Power Hall In Yokohama
--
1998Holder: Shinya Hashimoto
Lost to Scott Norton for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on October 30, [|1998] at nWo Typhoon
--
1999Holder: Manabu Nakanishi
Lost to Keiji Muto for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on October 11, [|1999] at Final Dome
--
2000Holder: Kensuke Sasaki
Was the IWGP Heavyweight Champion when winning the tournament on August 13, 2000
Lost to Toshiaki Kawada in a non title match on October 9, 2000 at Do Judge
decided to vacate the title in humiliation
2001Holder: Yuji Nagata
Lost to Jun Akiyama for the GHC Heavyweight Championship on January 4, [|2002] at Wrestling World
Making Nagata the only person to not challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship as the winner
Originally was supposed to face Kazuyuki Fujita for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but Fujita vacated the title due to injury
--
2002Holder: Masahiro Chono
Fought Yuji Nagata for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to a time limit draw on October 26, 2002 at Toukon Series
--
2003Holder: Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Defeated Yoshihiro Takayama for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on November 3, 2003 at Yokohama Dead Out
--
2004Holder: Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Defeated Kensuke Sasaki for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on December 12, 2004 at Final Battle
--
2005Holder: Masahiro Chono
Lost to Brock Lesnar for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship alongside Kazuyuki Fujita in a Three Way Match on October 8, [|2005] at Toukon Souzou New Chapter
--
2006Holder: Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Lost to Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on October 9, [|2006] at Explosion
--
2007Holder: Hiroshi Tanahashi
Defeated Yuji Nagata for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on October 8, [|2007] at Explosion
--
2008Holder: Hirooki Goto
Lost to Keiji Muto for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on August 31, [|2008] at AJPW Pro-Wrestling Love in Ryogoku Vol. 5
Making Goto the only person to challenge for the title outside of the NJPW ring
--
2009Holder: Togi Makabe
Lost to Shinsuke Nakamura for the vacated IWGP Heavyweight Championship on September 27, [|2009] at Circuit New Japan Generation
After previous champion Hiroshi Tanahashi had to vacate the title due to an injury at the eye socket he received during the G1 Climax tournament match against Nakamura
--
2010Holder: Satoshi Kojima
Defeated Togi Makabe for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on October 11, [|2010] at Destruction (2010)|Destruction]
--
2011Holder: Shinsuke Nakamura
Lost to Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on September 19, [|2011] at G1 Climax Special
--
2012Holder: Kazuchika Okada
Successfully defended the certificate against Karl Anderson on October 8, 2012 at King of Pro-Wrestling
Successfully defended the certificate against Hirooki Goto on November 11, 2012 at Power Struggle
Lost to Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on January 4, [|2013] at Wrestle Kingdom 7 in Tokyo Dome
--
2013Holder: Tetsuya Naito
Successfully defended the certificate against Masato Tanaka on September 29, 2013 at Destruction
Successfully defended the certificate against Yujiro Takahashi on October 14, 2013 at King of Pro-Wrestling
Successfully defended the certificate against Masato Tanaka on November 9, 2013, at Power Struggle
Lost to Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on January 4, [|2014] at Wrestle Kingdom 8 in Tokyo Dome
--
2014Holder: Kazuchika Okada
Successfully defended the certificate against Karl Anderson on September 23, 2014 at Destruction in Okayama
Successfully defended the certificate against Tetsuya Naito on October 13, 2014 at King of Pro-Wrestling
Lost to Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on January 4, [|2015] at Wrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo Dome
--
2015Holder: Hiroshi Tanahashi
Successfully defended the certificate against Bad Luck Fale on September 27, 2015 at Destruction in Kobe
Successfully defended the certificate against Tetsuya Naito on October 12, 2015 at King of Pro-Wrestling
Lost to Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on January 4, 2016 at Wrestle Kingdom 10 in Tokyo Dome
--
2016Holder: Kenny Omega
Successfully defended the certificate against Yoshi-Hashi on September 22, 2016 at Destruction in Hiroshima
Successfully defended the certificate against Hirooki Goto on October 10, 2016 at King of Pro-Wrestling
Lost to Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on January 4, 2017 at Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome
--
2017Holder: Tetsuya Naito
Successfully defended the certificate against Tomohiro Ishii on October 9, [|2017] at King of Pro-Wrestling
Lost to Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on January 4, [|2018] at Wrestle Kingdom 12 in Tokyo Dome
--
2018Holder: Hiroshi Tanahashi
Successfully defended the certificate against Kazuchika Okada on September 23, 2018 at Destruction in Kobe
Successfully defended the certificate against Jay White on October 8, 2018 at King of Pro-Wrestling
Defeated Kenny Omega for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on January 4, [|2019] at Wrestle Kingdom 13 in Tokyo Dome
--
2019Holder: Kota Ibushi
Successfully defended the certificate against Kenta on September 16, 2019 at Destruction in Kagoshima
Successfully defended the certificate against Evil on October 14, 2019 at King of Pro-Wrestling
Lost to Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on January 4, 2020 at Wrestle Kingdom 14 in Tokyo Dome
--
2020Holder: Kota Ibushi
Lost the certificate against Jay White on November 7, 2020 at Power Struggle
--
2020Holder: Jay White
Lost to Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and IWGP Intercontinental Championship on January 5, 2021 at Wrestle Kingdom 15 in Tokyo Dome
--
2021Holder: Kazuchika Okada
Successfully defended the certificate against Tama Tonga on November 6, 2021 at Power Struggle
Defeated Shingo Takagi for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on January 4, [|2022] at Wrestle Kingdom 16
--
2022Holder: Kazuchika Okada
Defeated Jay White for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on January 4, [|2023] at Wrestle Kingdom 17
--
2023Holder: Tetsuya Naito
Successfully defended the certificate against Jeff Cobb on September 24, 2023 at Destruction in Kobe
Defeated Sanada for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on January 4, 2024 at Wrestle Kingdom 18
--
2024Holder: Zack Sabre Jr.
Defeated Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on October 14, 2024 at King of Pro-Wrestling
--
2025Holder: Konosuke Takeshita
Defeated Zack Sabre Jr. for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on October 13, 2025 at King of Pro-Wrestling
--

World League

1974

The 1974 World League ran from April 5 to May 8, 1974. The tournament began with 16 wrestlers, eight Japanese and eight Internationals, placed into groups accordingly. All first round matches featured the Japanese against the Internationals. The top four finishers from both groups advanced to a second round of round-robin competition.
Antonio Inoki5.5
Seiji Sakaguchi5.5
Killer Karl Krupp5.5
Masa Saito5
Stan Stasiak2.5
Invader I2
Kantaro Hoshino1.5
Geto Mongol0

Antonio Inoki 2-0
Seiji Sakaguchi 1-1
Killer Karl Krupp 0-2

Inoki Krupp Sakaguchi
Inoki Inoki
Inoki
Krupp Inoki
Sakaguchi
Sakaguchi Inoki
Sakaguchi

1975

The 1975 World League ran from April 4 to May 16, 1975. The tournament featured 16 wrestlers, but the Locals versus Internationals format was abolished. The top five finishers advanced to a knockout round, with the top finisher receiving a bye to the final.
Killer Karl Krupp13.5
Antonio Inoki12.5
Seiji Sakaguchi12.5
Kintarō Ōki12.5
Strong Kobayashi12.5
Super Destroyer10.5
Masa Saito9
Kotetsu Yamamoto8
Kantaro Hoshino7
Man Mountain Mike7
Haruka Eigen5
Katsuhisa Shibata3
John Gagne2
Sangre Fría2
Father Singh2
Osamu Kido1


1976

The 1976 World League ran from April 2 to May 11, 1976. The tournament featured 14 wrestlers. The top finisher advanced to the final match of the tournament, to face the winner of a three-wrestler round-robin semifinal round.
Pedro Morales13
Killer Karl Krupp10
Rivera (professional wrestler)|Victor Rivera]10
Seiji Sakaguchi10
Strong Kobayashi9
Masa Saito9
Kantaro Hoshino7
Osamu Kido6
Towering Inferno5
Butcher Vachon4
Haruka Eigen3
Ken Mantell3
Raul Mata2
Kotetsu Yamamoto0

Seiji Sakaguchi2-0
Killer Karl Krupp1-1
Victor Rivera0-2

KruppRiveraSakaguchi
KruppKrupp
Sakaguchi
RiveraKrupp
Sakaguchi
SakaguchiSakaguchi
Sakaguchi


1977

The 1977 World League ran from April 21 to May 30, 1977. The tournament featured 11 wrestlers.
The Masked Superstar10
Seiji Sakaguchi8
Mitsuo Yoshida7.5
Nikolai Volkoff7.5
Kantaro Hoshino5
Johnny Powers4
Manuel Soto4
Haruka Eigen3
Osamu Kido3
Tony Charles2
Enrique Vera1

MSG Series

1978

The 1978 MSG Series ran from April 21 to May 30, 1978. The tournament featured nine wrestlers in a round robin format, with a different scoring system than today's tournaments. A win by pinfall or submission was worth five points, a win by dq or countout was worth four points, a time limit, double dq, or double countout draw was worth two points, and a loss or forfeit was worth 0 points. André the Giant received an extra five points, although the reason why is unclear.
André the Giant37
Antonio Inoki29
Seiji Sakaguchi28
Tatsumi Fujinami25
Bugsy McGraw15
Nikolai Volkoff14
Umanosuke Ueda10
Riki Choshu9
Chief Jay Strongbow0

1979

The 1979 MSG Series ran from April 27 to June 7, 1979. The tournament featured 10 wrestlers.
Antonio Inoki41
Stan Hansen37
André the Giant36
Seiji Sakaguchi31
Tatsumi Fujinami22
Riki Choshu18
Canek16
Masa Saito10
Larry Zbyszko5
Tony Garea0

1980

The 1980 MSG Series ran from April 25 to June 5, 1980. The tournament featured 10 wrestlers.
Antonio Inoki35
Stan Hansen32
André the Giant32
Seiji Sakaguchi32
Dusty Rhodes29
Tatsumi Fujinami20
Strong Kobayashi12
Riki Choshu11
Chavo Guerrero7
Ryuma Go0

1981

The 1981 MSG Series ran from May 8 to June 4, 1981. The tournament featured 11 wrestlers.
Stan Hansen39
Antonio Inoki38
Tiger Jeet Singh38
Hulk Hogan36
Seiji Sakaguchi33
Tatsumi Fujinami29
Riki Choshu16
Bobby Duncum14
Sgt. Slaughter12
Chris Adams5
Mike Masters0

1982

The 1982 MSG Series ran from March 4 to April 1, 1982. The tournament featured 14 wrestlers.
André the Giant57
Antonio Inoki53
Killer Khan50
Dick Murdoch42
The Masked Superstar36
Tatsumi Fujinami35
Rusher Kimura33
Seiji Sakaguchi33
Tony Atlas31
Tiger Toguchi17
Yoshiaki Yatsu13
Don Muraco9
The Iron Sheik5
Riki Choshu4


† Antonio Inoki was injured and unable to compete in the final. Killer Khan, as the next highest finisher, took his place.

IWGP League

1983

The 1983 International Wrestling Grand Prix Championship League ran from May 6 to June 2, 1983. The tournament featured 10 wrestlers. The winner was awarded a championship belt.
Hulk Hogan37
Antonio Inoki36
André the Giant35
Big John Studd25
Killer Khan24
Rusher Kimura21
Akira Maeda14
Canek5
Otto Wanz5
Enrique Vera4

AndréCanekHoganInokiKhanKimuraMaedaStuddVeraWanz
AndréAndréDCOAndréDCOAndréAndréAndréAndréAndré
CanekAndréHoganInokiKhanKimuraMaedaStuddCanekWanz
HoganDCOHoganDCOHoganHoganHoganHoganHoganHogan
InokiAndréInokiDCOInokiInokiInokiInokiInokiInoki
KhanDCOKhanHoganInokiKhanDCOStuddKhanKhan
KimuraAndréKimuraHoganInokiKhanKimuraDCOKimuraKimura
MaedaAndréMaedaHoganInokiDCOKimuraStuddMaedaMaeda
StuddAndréStuddHoganInokiStuddDCOStuddStuddStudd
VeraAndréCanekHoganInokiKhanKimuraMaedaStuddVera
WanzAndréWanzHoganInokiKhanKimuraMaedaStuddVera

1984

The 1984 International Wrestling Grand Prix Champion League ran from May 11 to June 14, 1984. The tournament featured 12 wrestlers, and was the first time that the tournament featured no sort of final round.
Antonio Inoki53
André the Giant49
Tatsumi Fujinami34
Riki Choshu32
Dick Murdoch30
Masa Saito26
Adrian Adonis25
The Masked Superstar18
Ken Patera17
John Quinn10
Otto Wanz6
Big John Studd2

1985

The IWGP Champion Series ran from May 10 to June 15, 1985. The tournament featured 13 wrestlers, and was single-elimination. This was the first time the tournament did not feature a points system.

1986

The 1986 International Wrestling Grand Prix ran from May 16 to June 19, 1986. The tournament featured the return of the points system, with 14 wrestlers in two blocks of seven each. The top two from each block advanced to a knockout stage. The winner won the vacated IWGP Heavyweight Championship (original version).

1987

The 1987 International Wrestling Grand Prix ran from May 11 to June 12, 1987. The tournament featured 14 wrestlers in two blocks of seven each. The top finishers from each block advanced to the final, with the winner becoming the first IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Tatsumi Fujinami missed the tournament due to an injury he suffered on the IWGP Champion Series tour, but acted as a commentator for the final match.

1988

The 1988 International Wrestling Grand Prix ran from July 15 to July 29, 1988. The tournament featured five wrestlers in a single block, with the winner becoming the number one contender to IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tatsumi Fujinami for August 8.
Antonio Inoki6
Riki Choshu6
Big Van Vader4
Masa Saito4
Kengo Kimura0

World Cup Tournament

1989

The 1989 World Cup Tournament was held from November 24 to December 7, 1989. The tournament featured 20 wrestlers in four blocks of five each.

G1 Climax

1991

The inaugural G1 Climax was a round-robin tournament consisting of two four-man blocks, and running from August 7 to August 11, 1991.
Block AFujinamiMutoNortonVader
FujinamiMuto
Draw
Fujinami
MutoMuto
Norton
Muto
NortonDraw
Norton
Vader
VaderFujinami
Muto
Vader
Block BBigelowChonoChoshuHashimoto
BigelowChono
Bigelow
Hashimoto
ChonoChono
Chono
Draw
ChoshuBigelow
Chono
Hashimoto
HashimotoHashimoto
Draw
Hashimoto

1992

The 1992 G1 Climax was a 16-man single-elimination tournament, and was also for the vacant NWA World Heavyweight Championship. It ran from August 6 to August 12, 1992. Terry Taylor advanced to the quarterfinals, due to a shoulder injury suffered by his scheduled opponent Hiroshi Hase on August 3.

1993

The 1993 G1 Climax was once again a 16-man single-elimination tournament, held from August 3 to August 7, 1993. NJPW invited several non-NJPW wrestlers to participate in the 1993 tournament, including Hiromichi Fuyuki, Ashura Hara, Takashi Ishikawa and The Great Kabuki from WAR, and Yoshiaki Fujiwara from Fujiwara Gumi">Yoshiaki Fujiwara">Fujiwara Gumi.

1994

The 1994 G1 Climax returned to the round-robin format, this time with two blocks of six. It was held from August 3 to August 7, 1994. Guest natives included Yoshiaki Fujiwara from Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi and Yoshiaki Yatsu from Social Progress Wrestling Federation.
Block AChonoChoshuFujiwaraKidoMutoYatsu
ChonoChoshu
Chono
Chono
Chono
Chono
ChoshuChoshu
Fujiwara
Choshu
Muto
Choshu
FujiwaraChono
Fujiwara
Kido
Fujiwara
Yatsu
KidoChono
Choshu
Kido
Muto
Yatsu
MutoChono
Muto
Fujiwara
Muto
Muto
YatsuChono
Choshu
Yatsu
Yatsu
Muto
Block BFujinamiHaseHashimotoIizukaKoshinakaWarrior
FujinamiHase
Hashimoto
Fujinami
Fujinami
Fujinami
HaseHase
Hase
Hase
Koshinaka
Warrior
HashimotoHashimoto
Hase
Hashimoto
Draw
Draw
IizukaFujinami
Hase
Hashimoto
Koshinaka
Warrior
KoshinakaFujinami
Koshinaka
Draw
Koshinaka
Warrior
WarriorFujinami
Warrior
Draw
Warrior
Warrior

1995

The [|1995 G1] Climax was another eight-man round-robin tournament held August 11 to August 15, with the addition that the top two scorers from each block would advance to a four-man mini-tournament to decide the winner. Masahiro Chono advanced out of his block despite being tied with Ric Flair because of his faster match winning time over Shiro Koshinaka.
Block AChonoFlairKoshinakaMuto
ChonoDraw
Chono
Muto
FlairDraw
Flair
Muto
KoshinakaChono
Flair
Koshinaka
MutoMuto
Muto
Koshinaka
Block BHashimotoNortonTenzanSasaki
HashimotoHashimoto
Hashimoto
Sasaki
NortonHashimoto
Norton
Norton
TenzanHashimoto
Norton
Tenzan
SasakiSasaki
Norton
Tenzan

[|1996]

The 1996 G1 Climax was held from August 2 to August 6, 1996, and was a round-robin tournament featuring two blocks of five. Junji Hirata suffered an injury during his match with Kensuke Sasaki, which caused him to forfeit his remaining matches.
Block AChoshuHashimotoHirataSasakiTenzan
ChoshuChoshu
Choshu
Choshu
Choshu
HashimotoChoshu
Hashimoto
Sasaki
Tenzan
HirataChoshu
Hashimoto
Sasaki
Tenzan
SasakiChoshu
Sasaki
Sasaki
Sasaki
TenzanChoshu
Tenzan
Tenzan
Sasaki
Block BChonoKojimaKoshinakaMutoYamazaki
ChonoChono
Koshinaka
Chono
Chono
KojimaChono
Kojima
Muto
Yamazaki
KoshinakaKoshinaka
Kojima
Muto
Koshinaka
MutoChono
Muto
Muto
Yamazaki
YamazakiChono
Yamazaki
Koshinaka
Yamazaki

1997

The 1997 G1 Climax was a 14-man single-elimination tournament, with Kensuke Sasaki and Buff Bagwell receiving byes to the quarterfinals. The tournament was held from August 1 to August 3.

1998

The 1998 G1 Climax was another 16-man single-elimination tournament, held between July 31 and August 2. Genichiro Tenryu, who had separated from his own WAR promotion to become a freelancer since early in the year, was invited.

1999

The 1999 G1 Climax was a 12-man round-robin tournament, held from August 10 to August 15. This was the first of two years where head-to-head tiebreakers did not decide numerical ties; the winner of Block A was decided by a tiebreaker match, even though there was a clear winner in the two participants' league match.
Block AFujinamiKojimaMutoNagataSasakiYasuda
FujinamiFujinami
Fujinami
Nagata
Sasaki
Fujinami
KojimaFujinami
Muto
Nagata
Sasaki
Kojima
MutoFujinami
Muto
Muto
Muto
Muto
NagataNagata
Nagata
Muto
Nagata
Nagata
SasakiSasaki
Sasaki
Muto
Nagata
Sasaki
YasudaFujinami
Kojima
Muto
Nagata
Sasaki
Block BChonoHashimotoKoshinakaNakanishiTenzanYamazaki
ChonoChono
Koshinaka
Chono
Tenzan
Chono
HashimotoChono
Koshinaka
Nakanishi
Hashimoto
Hashimoto
KoshinakaKoshinaka
Koshinaka
Nakanishi
Tenzan
Koshinaka
NakanishiChono
Nakanishi
Nakanishi
Nakanishi
Nakanishi
TenzanTenzan
Hashimoto
Tenzan
Nakanishi
Tenzan
YamazakiChono
Hashimoto
Koshinaka
Nakanishi
Tenzan

2000

The 2000 G1 Climax was a round-robin tournament, featuring four blocks of five, with each block champion advancing to a four-man tournament to decide that year's winner; it was held from August 7 to August 13. Also note that the points system was modified from the original: 1 point for a victory, and zero points for a draw or loss. Additionally, head-to-head tiebreakers did not decide numerical ties; the winners of Block A and Block C were decided by tiebreaker matches, even though there was a clear winner in the two participants' league match. This was the first time that two recognized junior heavyweights; IWGP titleholder Tatsuhito Takaiwa and previous champion Jyushin Thunder Liger, were invited to compete in the heavyweight tournament.
Block AFujinamiGotoIizukaLigerNagata
FujinamiFujinami
Iizuka
Fujinami
Nagata
GotoFujinami
Iizuka
Liger
Goto
IizukaIizuka
Iizuka
Iizuka
Nagata
LigerFujinami
Liger
Iizuka
Nagata
NagataNagata
Goto
Nagata
Nagata
Block BJohnston (fighter)|Johnston]KidoKojimaSaitoSasaki
JohnstonJohnston
Kojima
Johnston
Sasaki
KidoJohnston
Kojima
Draw
Sasaki
KojimaKojima
Kojima
Draw
Sasaki
SaitoJohnston
Draw
Draw
Draw
SasakiSasaki
Sasaki
Sasaki
Draw
Block CNakanishiNishimuraSuzukiTenzanYasuda
NakanishiNakanishi
Nakanishi
Tenzan
Nakanishi
NishimuraNakanishi
Nishimura
Nishimura
Yasuda
SuzukiNakanishi
Nishimura
Tenzan
Yasuda
TenzanTenzan
Nishimura
Tenzan
Tenzan
YasudaNakanishi
Yasuda
Yasuda
Tenzan
Block DChonoHirataKoshinakaTakaiwaYoshie
ChonoChono
Koshinaka
Chono
Chono
HirataChono
Hirata
Hirata
Yoshie
KoshinakaKoshinaka
Hirata
Takaiwa
Koshinaka
TakaiwaChono
Hirata
Takaiwa
Yoshie
YoshieChono
Yoshie
Koshinaka
Yoshie

2001

The 2001 G1 Climax was a two-block, twelve-man round-robin tournament held from August 4 to August 12. It returned to the original method of scoring, and also reintroduced the 1995 G1's format of each block's top two scorers advancing to the final four. Jyushin Thunder Liger and Tanaka (wrestler)|Minoru Tanaka] were the junior heavyweight invitees.
Block AFujinamiMurakamiNagataNakanishiTanakaYasuda
FujinamiFujinami
Nagata
Nakanishi
Fujinami
Yasuda
MurakamiFujinami
Draw
Murakami
Tanaka
Murakami
NagataNagata
Draw
Nakanishi
Nagata
Nagata
NakanishiNakanishi
Murakami
Nakanishi
Nakanishi
Yasuda
TanakaFujinami
Tanaka
Nagata
Nakanishi
Yasuda
YasudaYasuda
Murakami
Nagata
Yasuda
Yasuda
Block BChonoKojimaLigerMutoNishimuraTenzan
ChonoKojima
Chono
Muto
Chono
Chono
KojimaKojima
Liger
Kojima
Nishimura
Tenzan
LigerChono
Liger
Muto
Draw
Tenzan
MutoMuto
Kojima
Muto
Muto
Muto
NishimuraChono
Nishimura
Draw
Muto
Tenzan
TenzanChono
Tenzan
Tenzan
Muto
Tenzan

2002

The 2002 G1 Climax was identical in structure to the previous year's, and was held from August 3 to August 11.
Block AKoshinakaSasakiTakayamaTanahashiTenzanYoshie
KoshinakaSasaki
Takayama
Tanahashi
Koshinaka
Koshinaka
SasakiSasaki
Sasaki
Tanahashi
Tenzan
Sasaki
TakayamaTakayama
Sasaki
Takayama
Takayama
Takayama
TanahashiTanahashi
Tanahashi
Takayama
Tenzan
Yoshie
TenzanKoshinaka
Tenzan
Takayama
Tenzan
Tenzan
YoshieKoshinaka
Sasaki
Takayama
Yoshie
Tenzan
Block BChonoNagataNakanishiNishimuraSuzukiYasuda
ChonoNagata
Chono
Draw
Chono
Chono
NagataNagata
Nakanishi
Draw
Nagata
Yasuda
NakanishiChono
Nakanishi
Draw
Nakanishi
Yasuda
NishimuraDraw
Draw
Draw
Suzuki
Nishimura
SuzukiChono
Nagata
Nakanishi
Suzuki
Suzuki
YasudaChono
Yasuda
Yasuda
Nishimura
Suzuki

[|2003]

The 2003 G1 Climax was another 12-man round-robin tournament, held from August 10 to August 17. Jun Akiyama from Pro Wrestling Noah, along with freelancer Yoshihiro Takayama were invitees.
Block AAkiyamaChonoNakanishiNishimuraTanahashiTenzan
AkiyamaDraw
Akiyama
Nishimura
Akiyama
Akiyama
ChonoDraw
Nakanishi
Chono
Chono
Tenzan
NakanishiAkiyama
Nakanishi
Nishimura
Nakanishi
Tenzan
NishimuraNishimura
Chono
Nishimura
Tanahashi
Tenzan
TanahashiAkiyama
Chono
Nakanishi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
TenzanAkiyama
Tenzan
Tenzan
Tenzan
Tanahashi
Block BNagataNakamuraShibataTakayamaYasudaYoshie
NagataNagata
Draw
Takayama
Yasuda
Nagata
NakamuraNagata
Nakamura
Takayama
Nakamura
Yoshie
ShibataDraw
Nakamura
Takayama
Shibata
Shibata
TakayamaTakayama
Takayama
Takayama
Yasuda
Takayama
YasudaYasuda
Nakamura
Shibata
Yasuda
Yoshie
YoshieNagata
Yoshie
Shibata
Takayama
Yoshie

[|2004]

The 2004 G1 Climax was a two-block, sixteen-man tournament held from August 7 to August 15. As well as the increased number of participants, it introduced a format in which the second and third runners-up from each block would advance to a four-man tournament, the two finalists of which would advance to a second four-man tournament also featuring each block winner; the eventual winner of this tournament would win the G1 Climax. Also, it would seem that, for this particular year, matches which ended in a double countout or double disqualification would result in zero points for both competitors.
Block AWolfChonoNagataNakamuraShibataSuzukiTenryuYoshie
WolfChono
Nagata
Nakamura
Wolf
Suzuki
Tenryu
Wolf
ChonoChono
Chono
Draw
1
Shibata
Chono
Tenryu
Chono
NagataNagata
Chono
Nakamura
Nagata
Suzuki
Nagata
Nagata
NakamuraNakamura
Draw
1
Nakamura
Shibata
Nakamura
Tenryu
Nakamura
ShibataWolf
Shibata
Nagata
Shibata
Suzuki
Shibata
Shibata
SuzukiSuzuki
Chono
Suzuki
Nakamura
Suzuki
Tenryu
Suzuki
TenryuTenryu
Tenryu
Nagata
Tenryu
Shibata
Tenryu
Yoshie
YoshieWolf
Chono
Nagata
Nakamura
Shibata
Suzuki
Yoshie
Block BKanemotoMakabeNakanishiNishimuraSasakiTakayamaTanahashiTenzan
KanemotoKanemoto
Kanemoto
Nishimura
Sasaki
Kanemoto
Tanahashi
Tenzan
MakabeKanemoto
Nakanishi
Makabe
Sasaki
Makabe
Tanahashi
Tenzan
NakanishiKanemoto
Nakanishi
Nakanishi
Sasaki
Nakanishi
Tanahashi
Tenzan
NishimuraNishimura
Makabe
Nakanishi
Sasaki
Nishimura
Tanahashi
Nishimura
SasakiSasaki
Sasaki
Sasaki
Sasaki
Takayama
Tanahashi
Draw
TakayamaKanemoto
Makabe
Nakanishi
Nishimura
Takayama
Tanahashi
Tenzan
TanahashiTanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Tenzan
TenzanTenzan
Tenzan
Tenzan
Nishimura
Draw
Tenzan
Tenzan

1 This was a double countout, and so neither Chono nor Nakamura received any points.

2005

The 2005 G1 Climax was another 16-man round-robin tournament, held from August 4 to August 14. It returned to the format of 2003, eliminating the "quarterfinals" seen in 2004, and simply bringing each block's top two scorers into the final four.
Block AChonoFujinamiKashinKawadaNagataNishimuraSuzukiTenzan
ChonoChono
Chono
Chono
Chono
Nishimura
Chono
Tenzan
FujinamiChono
Fujinami
Kawada
Nagata
Nishimura
Fujinami
Tenzan
KashinChono
Fujinami
Kashin
Nagata
Kashin
Draw
Tenzan
KawadaChono
Kawada
Kashin
Kawada
Kawada
Kawada
Kawada
NagataChono
Nagata
Nagata
Kawada
Nagata
Suzuki
Nagata
NishimuraNishimura
Nishimura
Kashin
Kawada
Nagata
Draw
Tenzan
SuzukiChono
Fujinami
Draw
Kawada
Suzuki
Draw
Suzuki
TenzanTenzan
Tenzan
Tenzan
Kawada
Nagata
Tenzan
Suzuki
Block BFujitaGotoMakabeNakamuraNakanishiTanahashiYanoYoshie
FujitaFujita
Fujita
Fujita
Fujita
Fujita
Fujita
Fujita
GotoFujita
Goto
Nakamura
Nakanishi
Tanahashi
Goto
Yoshie
MakabeFujita
Goto
Nakamura
Nakanishi
Tanahashi
Yano
Yoshie
NakamuraFujita
Nakamura
Nakamura
Nakamura
Nakamura
Draw
Nakamura
NakanishiFujita
Nakanishi
Nakanishi
Nakamura
Nakanishi
Nakanishi
Nakanishi
TanahashiFujita
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Nakamura
Nakanishi
Draw
Tanahashi
YanoFujita
Goto
Yano
Draw
Nakanishi
Draw
Yoshie
YoshieFujita
Yoshie
Yoshie
Nakamura
Nakanishi
Tanahashi
Yoshie

2006

The 2006 G1 Climax was a 10-man round-robin tournament held from August 6 to August 13.
Block ABernardKojimaLigerNakanishiTanahashi
BernardDraw
Bernard
Nakanishi
Bernard
KojimaDraw
Kojima
Kojima
Kojima
LigerBernard
Kojima
Liger
Tanahashi
NakanishiNakanishi
Kojima
Liger
Tanahashi
TanahashiBernard
Kojima
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Block BKanemotoMakabeNagataTenzanYamamoto
KanemotoKanemoto
Draw
Tenzan
Kanemoto
MakabeKanemoto
Draw
Tenzan
Makabe
NagataDraw
Draw
Tenzan
Nagata
TenzanTenzan
Tenzan
Tenzan
Tenzan
YamamotoKanemoto
Makabe
Nagata
Tenzan

2007

The 2007 G1 Climax, featuring twelve men in two blocks, was held from August 5 to August 12.

2008

The 2008 G1 Climax, featuring fourteen men in two blocks, was held from August 9 to August 17 over seven shows.

2009

The 2009 G1 Climax, featuring fourteen men in two blocks, was held from August 7 to August 16 over eight shows. In a tournament first, the exact tie for first place in Block A between Togi Makabe and Hiroshi Tanahashi was decided by a coin toss.

2010

The 2010 version of the G1 Climax tournament was announced in late May 2010 and was the 20th anniversary of the G1 Climax tournament. The tournament took place over eight shows between August 6 and August 15, 2010. Naomichi Marufuji was scheduled to participate in the tournament, but was forced to pull out after suffering an arm injury on July 25. On August 5, NJPW announced that Prince Devitt would replace Marufuji in the tournament. With his victory, freelancer Satoshi Kojima became the third man to have won both the G1 Climax and All Japan Pro Wrestling's Champion Carnival.
Block AAndersonDevittMakabeNaitoNakanishiStrong ManTanahashiYano
AndersonDevitt
Makabe
Naito
Nakanishi
Strong Man
Anderson
Anderson
DevittDevitt
Makabe
Devitt
Nakanishi
Devitt
Devitt
Yano
MakabeMakabe
Makabe
Naito
Makabe
Makabe
Tanahashi
Yano
NaitoNaito
Devitt
Naito
Naito
Strong Man
Draw
Yano
NakanishiNakanishi
Nakanishi
Makabe
Naito
Nakanishi
Tanahashi
Nakanishi
Strong ManStrong Man
Devitt
Makabe
Strong Man
Nakanishi
Tanahashi
Yano
TanahashiAnderson
Devitt
Tanahashi
Draw
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
YanoAnderson
Yano
Yano
Yano
Nakanishi
Yano
Tanahashi
Block BBernardGotoInoue (wrestler)|Inoue]KojimaNagataNakamuraShiozakiTakahashi
BernardBernard
Bernard
Kojima
Bernard
Nakamura
Shiozaki
Takahashi
GotoBernard
Goto
Kojima
Goto
Goto
Shiozaki
Goto
InoueBernard
Goto
Kojima
Nagata
Nakamura
Shiozaki
Inoue
KojimaKojima
Kojima
Kojima
Nagata
Nakamura
Kojima
Kojima
NagataBernard
Goto
Nagata
Nagata
Nagata
Nagata
Takahashi
NakamuraNakamura
Goto
Nakamura
Nakamura
Nagata
Draw
Nakamura
ShiozakiShiozaki
Shiozaki
Shiozaki
Kojima
Nagata
Draw
Shiozaki
TakahashiTakahashi
Goto
Inoue
Kojima
Takahashi
Nakamura
Shiozaki

2011

The 2011 version of the G1 Climax tournament was announced on May 3, 2011. It took place over ten shows between August 1 and August 14 and included 20 participants, making it at the time the largest G1 Climax in history.
Block AArcherBernardMakabeNagataNaitoSaitoTakahashiTakayamaTanahashiYano
ArcherBernard
Archer
Nagata
Naito
Archer
Archer
Archer
Tanahashi
Yano
BernardBernard
Makabe
Bernard
Naito
Bernard
Bernard
Takayama
Tanahashi
Bernard
MakabeArcher
Makabe
Makabe
Makabe
Makabe
Takahashi
Takayama
Tanahashi
Makabe
NagataNagata
Bernard
Makabe
Nagata
Saito
Nagata
Nagata
Nagata
Yano
NaitoNaito
Naito
Makabe
Nagata
Naito
Takahashi
Naito
Naito
Naito
SaitoArcher
Bernard
Makabe
Saito
Naito
Takahashi
Takayama
Tanahashi
Yano
TakahashiArcher
Bernard
Takahashi
Nagata
Takahashi
Takahashi
Takayama
Tanahashi
Yano
TakayamaArcher
Takayama
Takayama
Nagata
Naito
Takayama
Takayama
Tanahashi
Takayama
TanahashiTanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Nagata
Naito
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Yano
YanoYano
Bernard
Makabe
Yano
Naito
Yano
Yano
Takayama
Yano
Block BAndersonGotoInoueKojimaMVPNakamuraSombraStrong ManSuzukiTenzan
AndersonGoto
Inoue
Kojima
Anderson
Nakamura
Anderson
Anderson
Suzuki
Anderson
GotoGoto
Goto
Goto
MVP
Goto
Goto
Strong Man
Suzuki
Goto
InoueInoue
Goto
Kojima
MVP
Nakamura
Sombra
Inoue
Suzuki
Tenzan
KojimaKojima
Goto
Kojima
Kojima
Nakamura
Kojima
Kojima
Kojima
Tenzan
MVPAnderson
MVP
MVP
Kojima
MVP
MVP
MVP
Suzuki
MVP
NakamuraNakamura
Goto
Nakamura
Nakamura
MVP
Nakamura
Nakamura
Nakamura
Nakamura
SombraAnderson
Goto
Sombra
Kojima
MVP
Nakamura
Sombra
Suzuki
Tenzan
Strong ManAnderson
Strong Man
Inoue
Kojima
MVP
Nakamura
Sombra
Strong Man
Tenzan
SuzukiSuzuki
Suzuki
Suzuki
Kojima
Suzuki
Nakamura
Suzuki
Strong Man
Suzuki
TenzanAnderson
Goto
Tenzan
Tenzan
MVP
Nakamura
Tenzan
Tenzan
Suzuki

2012

The 2012 version of the G1 Climax tournament took place over nine shows between August 1 and August 12 and included 18 participants. The 24-year-old Kazuchika Okada went on to become the youngest G1 Climax winner in history, breaking the previous record held by the then 27-year-old Masahiro Chono. Okada also became the first winner since Hirooki Goto to win the tournament in his first attempt. Karl Anderson became the first foreigner to make it to the final of the tournament since Rick Rude in 1992.
Block AAndersonBenjaminKojimaMarufujiNagataSuzukiTakahashiTanahashiYano
AndersonAnderson
Kojima
Marufuji
Anderson
Anderson
Takahashi
Anderson
Anderson
BenjaminAnderson
Benjamin
Benjamin
Nagata
Suzuki
Benjamin
Tanahashi
Benjamin
KojimaKojima
Benjamin
Marufuji
Kojima
Kojima
Takahashi
Tanahashi
Kojima
MarufujiMarufuji
Benjamin
Marufuji
Nagata
Suzuki
Marufuji
Marufuji
Yano
NagataAnderson
Nagata
Kojima
Nagata
Nagata
Takahashi
Tanahashi
Nagata
SuzukiAnderson
Suzuki
Kojima
Suzuki
Nagata
Suzuki
Suzuki
Yano
TakahashiTakahashi
Benjamin
Takahashi
Marufuji
Takahashi
Suzuki
Tanahashi
Yano
TanahashiAnderson
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Marufuji
Tanahashi
Suzuki
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
YanoAnderson
Benjamin
Kojima
Yano
Nagata
Yano
Yano
Tanahashi
Block BArcherGotoMakabeMVPNaitoNakamuraOkadaRushTenzan
ArcherArcher
Archer
MVP
Archer
Nakamura
Okada
Rush
Archer
GotoArcher
Makabe
Goto
Goto
Goto
Goto
Rush
Tenzan
MakabeArcher
Makabe
MVP
Makabe
Makabe
Okada
Makabe
Tenzan
MVPMVP
Goto
MVP
Naito
Nakamura
Okada
MVP
MVP
NaitoArcher
Goto
Makabe
Naito
Naito
Naito
Rush
Naito
NakamuraNakamura
Goto
Makabe
Nakamura
Naito
Nakamura
Nakamura
Tenzan
OkadaOkada
Goto
Okada
Okada
Naito
Nakamura
Okada
Okada
RushRush
Rush
Makabe
MVP
Rush
Nakamura
Okada
Tenzan
TenzanArcher
Tenzan
Tenzan
MVP
Naito
Tenzan
Okada
Tenzan

2013

The 2013 version of the G1 Climax tournament took place over nine shows between August 1 and August 11 and included 20 participants. In an unprecedented move, NJPW broadcast all nine events live on internet pay-per-view through Niconico and Ustream. On August 8, NJPW announced that Hirooki Goto and Hiroyoshi Tenzan had suffered jaw and rib fractures respectively and would both miss the rest of the tournament.
Block AArcherDevittGotoIshiiKojimaMakabeOkadaShibataSmithTanahashi
ArcherArcher
Goto
Archer
Archer
Makabe
Okada
Shibata
Archer
Tanahashi
DevittArcher
Goto
Devitt
Devitt
Devitt
Devitt
Shibata
Smith
Devitt
GotoGoto
Goto
Ishii
Goto
Makabe
Goto
Shibata
Smith
Tanahashi
IshiiArcher
Devitt
Ishii
Kojima
Makabe
Okada
Ishii
Smith
Ishii
KojimaArcher
Devitt
Goto
Kojima
Makabe
Kojima
Kojima
Smith
Kojima
MakabeMakabe
Devitt
Makabe
Makabe
Makabe
Makabe
Shibata
Smith
Tanahashi
OkadaOkada
Devitt
Goto
Okada
Kojima
Makabe
Okada
Okada
Draw
ShibataShibata
Shibata
Shibata
Ishii
Kojima
Shibata
Okada
Shibata
Tanahashi
SmithArcher
Smith
Smith
Smith
Smith
Smith
Okada
Shibata
Tanahashi
TanahashiTanahashi
Devitt
Tanahashi
Ishii
Kojima
Tanahashi
Draw
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Block BAndersonBenjaminIbushiNagataNaitoNakamuraSuzukiTakahashiTenzanYano
AndersonAnderson
Ibushi
Anderson
Naito
Anderson
Suzuki
Anderson
Anderson
Yano
BenjaminAnderson
Benjamin
Benjamin
Naito
Benjamin
Suzuki
Takahashi
Benjamin
Benjamin
IbushiIbushi
Benjamin
Nagata
Ibushi
Nakamura
Suzuki
Takahashi
Ibushi
Ibushi
NagataAnderson
Benjamin
Nagata
Naito
Nakamura
Nagata
Nagata
Nagata
Nagata
NaitoNaito
Naito
Ibushi
Naito
Naito
Naito
Takahashi
Tenzan
Yano
NakamuraAnderson
Benjamin
Nakamura
Nakamura
Naito
Suzuki
Nakamura
Nakamura
Nakamura
SuzukiSuzuki
Suzuki
Suzuki
Nagata
Naito
Suzuki
Suzuki
Tenzan
Yano
TakahashiAnderson
Takahashi
Takahashi
Nagata
Takahashi
Nakamura
Suzuki
Takahashi
Yano
TenzanAnderson
Benjamin
Ibushi
Nagata
Tenzan
Nakamura
Tenzan
Takahashi
Tenzan
YanoYano
Benjamin
Ibushi
Nagata
Yano
Nakamura
Yano
Yano
Tenzan

2014

The 2014 version of the G1 Climax tournament took place between July 21 and August 10 with the final taking place in Tokorozawa, Saitama at the Seibu Dome for the first time departing Ryōgoku Kokugikan, which housed the final from every year since the tournament began. With 22 participants, the tournament marked the largest G1 Climax in history. Like the previous year, all events in the tournament were made available on iPPV through Niconico and Ustream. Kota Ibushi was scheduled to take part in the tournament, but on July 18 NJPW announced that he would have to pull out due to a concussion suffered at the beginning of the month. The following day, Tomoaki Honma was named Ibushi's replacement in the tournament.
Block AFaleBenjaminGallowsHonmaIshiiKojimaNagataNakamuraShibataSmithTanahashi
FaleBenjamin
Gallows
Fale
Fale
Kojima
Fale
Nakamura
Fale
Fale
Fale
BenjaminBenjamin
Benjamin
Benjamin
Benjamin
Kojima
Nagata
Nakamura
Shibata
Benjamin
Tanahashi
GallowsGallows
Benjamin
Gallows
Ishii
Kojima
Gallows
Nakamura
Gallows
Smith
Tanahashi
HonmaFale
Benjamin
Gallows
Ishii
Kojima
Nagata
Nakamura
Shibata
Smith
Tanahashi
IshiiFale
Benjamin
Ishii
Ishii
Ishii
Ishii
Nakamura
Shibata
Ishii
Tanahashi
KojimaKojima
Kojima
Kojima
Kojima
Ishii
Kojima
Nakamura
Shibata
Smith
Tanahashi
NagataFale
Nagata
Gallows
Nagata
Ishii
Kojima
Nakamura
Nagata
Nagata
Tanahashi
NakamuraNakamura
Nakamura
Nakamura
Nakamura
Nakamura
Nakamura
Nakamura
Shibata
Nakamura
Tanahashi
ShibataFale
Shibata
Gallows
Shibata
Shibata
Shibata
Nagata
Shibata
Smith
Shibata
SmithFale
Benjamin
Smith
Smith
Ishii
Smith
Nagata
Nakamura
Smith
Smith
TanahashiFale
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Shibata
Smith
Block BAndersonArcherGotoMakabeNaitoOkadaStylesSuzukiTakahashiTenzanYano
AndersonArcher
Anderson
Makabe
Anderson
Anderson
Styles
Anderson
Anderson
Tenzan
Yano
ArcherArcher
Archer
Makabe
Naito
Okada
Styles
Suzuki
Takahashi
Archer
Archer
GotoAnderson
Archer
Goto
Goto
Okada
Styles
Goto
Goto
Tenzan
Yano
MakabeMakabe
Makabe
Goto
Makabe
Okada
Styles
Suzuki
Takahashi
Makabe
Yano
NaitoAnderson
Naito
Goto
Makabe
Naito
Naito
Suzuki
Takahashi
Naito
Naito
OkadaAnderson
Okada
Okada
Okada
Naito
Okada
Okada
Okada
Okada
Okada
StylesStyles
Styles
Styles
Styles
Naito
Okada
Styles
Styles
Styles
Styles
SuzukiAnderson
Suzuki
Goto
Suzuki
Suzuki
Okada
Styles
Suzuki
Suzuki
Yano
TakahashiAnderson
Takahashi
Goto
Takahashi
Takahashi
Okada
Styles
Suzuki
Tenzan
Takahashi
TenzanTenzan
Archer
Tenzan
Makabe
Naito
Okada
Styles
Suzuki
Tenzan
Tenzan
YanoYano
Archer
Yano
Yano
Naito
Okada
Styles
Yano
Takahashi
Tenzan

2015

The 2015 version of the G1 Climax tournament took place between July 20 and August 16. Taking place over 19 shows, it was the longest G1 Climax in history. The final three days took place back at Ryōgoku Kokugikan. Participants in the tournament were announced on June 7. For the tournament, NJPW introduced a new format, where each show would only include five tournament matches all from the same block, giving the other participants more time to rest. Shinsuke Nakamura injured his left elbow in his second match, forcing him to forfeit his third match against Michael Elgin.
Block AFaleGallowsIbushiMakabeNaitoShibataStylesTanahashiTenzanYano
FaleFale
Fale
Fale
Naito
Shibata
Styles
Fale
Fale
Yano
GallowsFale
Ibushi
Makabe
Gallows
Gallows
Styles
Tanahashi
Tenzan
Gallows
IbushiFale
Ibushi
Ibushi
Naito
Shibata
Ibushi
Tanahashi
Ibushi
Yano
MakabeFale
Makabe
Ibushi
Makabe
Shibata
Styles
Tanahashi
Makabe
Makabe
NaitoNaito
Gallows
Naito
Makabe
Shibata
Naito
Naito
Tenzan
Naito
ShibataShibata
Gallows
Shibata
Shibata
Shibata
Styles
Tanahashi
Tenzan
Yano
StylesStyles
Styles
Ibushi
Styles
Naito
Styles
Tanahashi
Styles
Styles
TanahashiFale
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Naito
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
TenzanFale
Tenzan
Ibushi
Makabe
Tenzan
Tenzan
Styles
Tanahashi
Yano
YanoYano
Gallows
Yano
Makabe
Naito
Yano
Styles
Tanahashi
Yano
Block BAndersonElginGotoHonmaIshiiKojimaNagataNakamuraOkadaTakahashi
AndersonAnderson
Anderson
Anderson
Ishii
Kojima
Anderson
Anderson
Okada
Anderson
ElginAnderson
Goto
Elgin
Ishii
Kojima
Elgin
Elgin
Okada
Elgin
GotoAnderson
Goto
Goto
Goto
Goto
Nagata
Nakamura
Goto
Goto
HonmaAnderson
Elgin
Goto
Honma
Kojima
Nagata
Nakamura
Okada
Takahashi
IshiiIshii
Ishii
Goto
Honma
Ishii
Ishii
Nakamura
Okada
Ishii
KojimaKojima
Kojima
Goto
Kojima
Ishii
Nagata
Nakamura
Okada
Takahashi
NagataAnderson
Elgin
Nagata
Nagata
Ishii
Nagata
Nakamura
Okada
Takahashi
NakamuraAnderson
Elgin
Nakamura
Nakamura
Nakamura
Nakamura
Nakamura
Nakamura
Nakamura
OkadaOkada
Okada
Goto
Okada
Okada
Okada
Okada
Nakamura
Okada
TakahashiAnderson
Elgin
Goto
Takahashi
Ishii
Takahashi
Takahashi
Nakamura
Okada

2016

The 2016 version of the G1 Climax tournament took place between July 18 and August 14. On June 27, NJPW announced the participants, which included two outsiders; Pro Wrestling Noah's Katsuhiko Nakajima and Naomichi Marufuji. Originally, former three-time G1 Climax winner and the wrestler with the most G1 Climax appearances, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, was left out of the tournament. However, on July 3, Tenzan's longtime tag team partner Satoshi Kojima gave him his spot in the tournament. Afterwards, Tenzan confirmed this would be his last G1 Climax. In the final, Canadian Kenny Omega made history, becoming the first non-Japanese winner of the tournament under its G1 Climax name as well as the first man in four years to win the tournament in his first attempt.
Block AFaleGotoIshiiMakabeMarufujiOkadaSanadaTanahashiTenzanTonga
FaleGoto
Ishii
Fale
Fale
Fale
Fale
Tanahashi
Fale
Tonga
GotoGoto
Goto
Goto
Goto
Okada
Sanada
Tanahashi
Goto
Goto
IshiiIshii
Goto
Ishii
Ishii
Ishii
Sanada
Tanahashi
Tenzan
Tonga
MakabeFale
Goto
Ishii
Marufuji
Okada
Makabe
Makabe
Makabe
Makabe
MarufujiFale
Goto
Ishii
Marufuji
Marufuji
Marufuji
Tanahashi
Marufuji
Marufuji
OkadaFale
Okada
Ishii
Okada
Marufuji
Okada
Draw
Okada
Okada
SanadaFale
Sanada
Sanada
Makabe
Marufuji
Okada
Sanada
Sanada
Tonga
TanahashiTanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Makabe
Tanahashi
Draw
Sanada
Tanahashi
Tonga
TenzanFale
Goto
Tenzan
Makabe
Marufuji
Okada
Sanada
Tanahashi
Tenzan
TongaTonga
Goto
Tonga
Makabe
Marufuji
Okada
Tonga
Tonga
Tenzan
Block BElginEvilHonmaNagataNaitoNakajimaOmegaShibataYanoYoshi-Hashi
ElginEvil
Elgin
Elgin
Naito
Nakajima
Elgin
Elgin
Yano
Elgin
EvilEvil
Evil
Nagata
Naito
Nakajima
Omega
Evil
Evil
Yoshi-Hashi
HonmaElgin
Evil
Honma
Naito
Nakajima
Omega
Honma
Yano
Honma
NagataElgin
Nagata
Honma
Nagata
Nakajima
Omega
Shibata
Yano
Nagata
NaitoNaito
Naito
Naito
Nagata
Naito
Omega
Shibata
Naito
Naito
NakajimaNakajima
Nakajima
Nakajima
Nakajima
Naito
Omega
Shibata
Nakajima
Yoshi-Hashi
OmegaElgin
Omega
Omega
Omega
Omega
Omega
Shibata
Omega
Yoshi-Hashi
ShibataElgin
Evil
Honma
Shibata
Shibata
Shibata
Shibata
Yano
Shibata
YanoYano
Evil
Yano
Yano
Naito
Nakajima
Omega
Yano
Yano
Yoshi-HashiElgin
Yoshi-Hashi
Honma
Nagata
Naito
Yoshi-Hashi
Yoshi-Hashi
Shibata
Yano

2017

The 2017 version of the G1 Climax tournament took place between July 17 and August 13. Prior to the tournament, NJPW held two "G1 Special" shows in Long Beach, California on July 1 and 2. On June 20, NJPW announced the participants in the tournament, which included one outsider: freelancer Kota Ibushi, competing in his third G1. Juice Robinson and Zack Sabre Jr. took part in their first G1 Climax tournament, while Yuji Nagata took part in his 19th and final tournament. The final match between Kenny Omega and Tetsuya Naito became the longest match in G1 Climax history, breaking the previous record from 2015.
Block AFaleGotoIbushiIshiiMakabeNagataNaitoSabreTanahashiYoshi-Hashi
FaleFale
Fale
Fale
Fale
Fale
Fale
Sabre
Tanahashi
Yoshi-Hashi
GotoFale
Goto
Goto
Makabe
Goto
Naito
Goto
Tanahashi
Goto
IbushiFale
Goto
Ibushi
Makabe
Ibushi
Naito
Ibushi
Ibushi
Ibushi
IshiiFale
Goto
Ibushi
Ishii
Ishii
Ishii
Sabre
Tanahashi
Ishii
MakabeFale
Makabe
Makabe
Ishii
Makabe
Naito
Sabre
Tanahashi
Makabe
NagataFale
Goto
Ibushi
Ishii
Makabe
Naito
Nagata
Tanahashi
Yoshi-Hashi
NaitoFale
Naito
Naito
Ishii
Naito
Naito
Naito
Naito
Naito
SabreSabre
Goto
Ibushi
Sabre
Sabre
Nagata
Naito
Sabre
Sabre
TanahashiTanahashi
Tanahashi
Ibushi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Naito
Sabre
Tanahashi
Yoshi-HashiYoshi-Hashi
Goto
Ibushi
Ishii
Makabe
Yoshi-Hashi
Naito
Sabre
Tanahashi
Block BElginEvilKojimaOkadaOmegaRobinsonSanadaSuzukiTongaYano
ElginElgin
Elgin
Okada
Elgin
Robinson
Sanada
Elgin
Tonga
Yano
EvilElgin
Evil
Evil
Omega
Evil
Sanada
Evil
Evil
Evil
KojimaElgin
Evil
Okada
Omega
Robinson
Kojima
Suzuki
Tonga
Yano
OkadaOkada
Evil
Okada
Omega
Okada
Okada
Draw
Okada
Okada
OmegaElgin
Omega
Omega
Omega
Robinson
Omega
Omega
Omega
Omega
RobinsonRobinson
Evil
Robinson
Okada
Robinson
Sanada
Suzuki
Tonga
Robinson
SanadaSanada
Sanada
Kojima
Okada
Omega
Sanada
Suzuki
Tonga
Sanada
SuzukiElgin
Evil
Suzuki
Draw
Omega
Suzuki
Suzuki
Suzuki
Yano
TongaTonga
Evil
Tonga
Okada
Omega
Tonga
Tonga
Suzuki
Yano
YanoYano
Evil
Yano
Okada
Omega
Robinson
Sanada
Yano
Yano

2018

The 2018 version of the G1 Climax took place from July 14 until August 12. Due to renovations at Ryōgoku Kokugikan, the final three shows for the tournament took place at Nippon Budokan, representing New Japan's first shows at that arena since 2003. The announcement of the participants, blocks and schedule took place during the 2018 Kizuna Road shows. Hiroshi Tanahashi set a then record for most points set by a wrestler in a 20-man G1 Climax with 15 points. The final match was the longest match in G1 history until it was beaten in 2020.
Block AElginEvilFaleMakabeOkadaPageSuzukiTanahashiWhiteYoshi-Hashi
ElginElgin
Elgin
Makabe
Okada
Elgin
Suzuki
Tanahashi
White
Yoshi-Hashi
EvilElgin
Evil
Evil
Okada
Evil
Suzuki
Tanahashi
Evil
Evil
FaleElgin
Evil
Fale
Fale
Page
Suzuki
Tanahashi
Fale
Yoshi-Hashi
MakabeMakabe
Evil
Fale
Okada
Page
Makabe
Tanahashi
White
Makabe
OkadaOkada
Okada
Fale
Okada
Okada
Okada
Draw
White
Okada
PageElgin
Evil
Page
Page
Okada
Page
Tanahashi
White
Yoshi-Hashi
SuzukiSuzuki
Suzuki
Suzuki
Makabe
Okada
Page
Tanahashi
Suzuki
Suzuki
TanahashiTanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
Draw
Tanahashi
Tanahashi
White
Tanahashi
WhiteWhite
Evil
Fale
White
White
White
Suzuki
White
White
Yoshi-HashiYoshi-Hashi
Evil
Yoshi-Hashi
Makabe
Okada
Yoshi-Hashi
Suzuki
Tanahashi
White
Block BGotoIbushiIshiiNaitoOmegaRobinsonSabreSanadaTongaYano
GotoIbushi
Ishii
Naito
Omega
Robinson
Sabre
Goto
Goto
Goto
IbushiIbushi
Ibushi
Ibushi
Ibushi
Ibushi
Ibushi
Sanada
Tonga
Yano
IshiiIshii
Ibushi
Naito
Ishii
Ishii
Sabre
Ishii
Tonga
Ishii
NaitoNaito
Ibushi
Naito
Omega
Naito
Sabre
Naito
Naito
Naito
OmegaOmega
Ibushi
Ishii
Omega
Omega
Omega
Omega
Omega
Yano
RobinsonRobinson
Ibushi
Ishii
Naito
Omega
Sabre
Robinson
Tonga
Robinson
SabreSabre
Ibushi
Sabre
Sabre
Omega
Sabre
Sanada
Sabre
Sabre
SanadaGoto
Sanada
Ishii
Naito
Omega
Robinson
Sanada
Sanada
Sanada
TongaGoto
Tonga
Tonga
Naito
Omega
Tonga
Sabre
Sanada
Yano
YanoGoto
Yano
Ishii
Naito
Yano
Robinson
Sabre
Sanada
Yano

2019

The 2019 edition of the G1 Climax took place from July 6 to August 12 with the finals taking place at Nippon Budokan. For the first time in NJPW history, the opening night of the tournament took place outside Japan, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Kota Ibushi won the G1, defeating Jay White in the final.

2020

The 2020 edition of the G1 Climax took place from September 19 until October 18 with the final three days being held at Ryōgoku Kokugikan. This was the first time that the tournament was not held in the summer but in the autumn. This was due to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo originally being scheduled to be held when the tournament is usually held. Later, the Olympics were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The final match became the longest match in G1 Climax history, surpassing the previous record in 2018. Kota Ibushi became the third wrestler along with Masahiro Chono and Hiroyoshi Tenzan to win two consecutive G1 Climax tournaments and the first wrestler to reach the finals for the third time in a row.

2021

The 2021 edition of the G1 Climax was announced on July 8 and took place from September 18 until October 21 with the finals taking place at Nippon Budokan. Kazuchika Okada and Jeff Cobb set the record for the most points in a 20-man G1 with 16 points each; Cobb also set the record for most consecutive wins in a single G1 Climax with 8 wins in a row. Kota Ibushi also made his fourth consecutive appearance in a G1 final. Okada would win the G1, defeating Ibushi in the tournament final by referee stoppage.

2022

The 2022 edition of the G1 Climax was announced on April 9 at Hyper Battle and took place from July 16 until August 18, returning the G1 to the summer. This edition consisted of 28 participants across 4 blocks.
The Final match was between Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay, which Okada won by pinfall, marking Okada's 4th G1 Climax victory and becoming the 4th wrestler to win two consecutive G1 Climax tournaments, alongside Masahiro Chono, Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Kota Ibushi.

2023

The 2023 edition of the G1 Climax was announced on April 8 at Sakura Genesis and took place from July 15 until August 13. The tournament featured 32 participants, making it the largest G1 to date. The 2023 G1 Climax also featured the tournament debuts of Shota Umino, Hikuleo, Eddie Kingston, Ren Narita, Gabriel Kidd, Alex Coughlin, Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls, Yota Tsuji and Kaito Kiyomiya with Kingston and Kiyomiya being outsiders from All Elite Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah respectively. In the finals, Tetsuya Naito defeated Kazuchika Okada to win his third G1 Climax.

2024

The 2024 edition of the G1 Climax was announced on June 9 at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall and took place from July 20 until August 18. The tournament saw a return to 20 participants split into two 10-man blocks for the first time since 2021. Only the top 3 wrestlers in each block advanced, with the block winners earning a bye into the semifinals. The tournament marked the tournament debuts of Callum Newman, Boltin Oleg, Jake Lee, Yuya Uemura, and AEWDDT representative Konosuke Takeshita.

2025

The 2025 edition of the G1 Climax was announced on April 7 and will take place from July 19 until August 17. Only the top 3 wrestlers in each block advanced, with the block winners earning a bye into the semifinals.

2026

The 2026 edition of the G1 Climax was announced on January 4 at Wrestle Kingdom 20 and will take place from July 11 until August 16. For the second time in NJPW history, the opening night of the tournament will take place outside Japan, at the NOW Arena in Chicago.