GLOBIS Cup Returns After 3 Years! The World Go Tournament That Produced Numerous Japanese and International Champions Gets a Reboot.

March 3, 2026

CATEGORIES:GLOBIS GROUP

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TOKYO (March 3, 2026)—GLOBIS Corporation has announced its sponsorship of the international Go tournament “11th GLOBIS Cup World Go Championship 2026,” organized by the Nihon Ki-in due to take place in June 2026. The GLOBIS Cup is the only mixed-gender world Go tournament held in Japan, established in 2014 as an international competition for young Go players. It has been held as a valuable opportunity for the next generation of players to compete on the world stage and deepen international exchange. To date, the tournament has produced numerous players who are active at the top global level.

The GLOBIS Cup was temporarily suspended between 2020 and 2023 due to the impact of COVID-19. The 10th edition of the tournament was held in 2023. Following a three year hiatus, the 11th edition of the GLOBIS Cup will be restarted this year with a focus on players aged 22 and younger.

The first GLOBIS Cup champion was Mr. Ryo Ichiriki, who later won the Ing Cup World Professional Go Championship and grew into a player representing the Japanese Go world. The alumni of the GLOBIS Cup include current major titleholders in the Japanese Go world, as well as Japanese female players competing on the global stage.

Regarding this sponsorship, GLOBIS CEO and President Yoshito Hori commented:

“The GLOBIS Cup was established in 2014 with the aim of enabling young Japanese Go players to win globally. After being held for 10 consecutive times, the GLOBIS Cup was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we decided to resume it after the first champion, Ryo Ichiriki, won the Ing Cup, the world’s premier tournament (held only once every four years, similar to the Olympics). Female player Asami Ueno has also achieved a world tournament win. Furthermore, various Go tournament titles are dominated by players who have participated in the GLOBIS Cup. I hope that the GLOBIS Cup will continue to contribute to the development of young Japanese players, leading to a state where they consistently win on the world stage.”

GLOBIS’s sponsorship of this tournament is part of its efforts to support opportunities for young talent to challenge the world and improve themselves through friendly rivalry. Through the intellectual game of Go, it aims to contribute to creating a space for cross-border exchange and growth.

Event Outline

Tournament Name: 11th GLOBIS Cup World Go Championship 2026
Organizer: The Nihon Ki-in
Sponsor: GLOBIS Corporation
Venue: The Nihon Ki-in Tokyo Branch, others.
Dates: June 2026

Eligibility and Number of Participants

Tournament Eligibility: Professional or amateur players under the age of 22 as of January 1, 2026.
Number of Tournament Participants: 16 players
- Japan: 6 players (including qualifier winners)
- China: 3 players
- South Korea: 3 players
- Chinese Taipei: 1 player
- Europe: 1 player
- North America: 1 player
- Asia/Oceania: 1 player
Note: The selection of overseas players is entrusted to the representative organizations of each country/region.

Match Rules

Japanese rules, alternating games, 6.5 compensation points.
Sudden death; players have 30 seconds per move with ten 1-minute thinking periods (NHK Cup format).
The tournament features a group stage (double-elimination format) in groups of 4, where 2 winning players advance. The final round (8 players) is held in a knockout format.

Tournament Significance

The 11th GLOBIS Cup World Go Championship 2026 is a tournament that aims to improve competitive skills and cultivate an international perspective by providing young players with an arena for serious competition on the international stage. This tournament will promote exchange among young Go players worldwide and contribute to the international development of Go culture.

About GLOBIS

Since its foundation in 1992, GLOBIS has fostered a vision to create and innovate societies by fostering management ecosystems of people, capital, and knowledge. Today, the company is involved in a range of activities, from higher education and corporate training to venture capital. GLOBIS also operates the G1 Institute and the KIBOW Foundation, both non-profit organizations to promote creativity and innovation in society. The GLOBIS MBA and corporate training programs are offered both online and in person across Japan, China, Singapore, Thailand, the USA, Belgium, the Philippines, and Indonesia. GLOBIS University is the proud home of Japan’s largest MBA and is rapidly growing to claim this title for all of Asia.