New Japan Pro Wrestling Oceania Cup promoters give Equex MPS the thumbs-up

Wagga Wagga will be in the international spotlight later this year when the city hosts the New Japan Pro Wrestling’s first Oceania Cup at the Multi-Purpose Stadium (MPS) at the Equex Centre.

The event’s co-promoter through GLO Sports and one of the headline stars of New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) visited Wagga Wagga this week to view the venue and set about the final planning for the NJPW Oceania Cup.

The professional event will be held over four days and will feature elite professional wrestlers, fan engagement and special events.  The event will be an inclusive event for all people to attend.

Wagga Wagga City Council has been in discussion with GLO Sports for several months about staging the event in the city.

“We are incredibly proud that GLO Sports has chosen Wagga Wagga to host the NJPW first major event in Australia since 2017, and first ever held outside a capital city,” said Oasis Aquatic Centre Manager Marc Geppert.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the facilities we have at the Equex MPS and to highlight our ability to host large events.

“With the recent funding Council received under Round Five of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund, we will have additional seating capacity and a better spectator experience to offer.”

Event Co-promoter Cam Vale said the hosting of the Oceania Cup will elevate Wagga Wagga on an international stage.

“NJPW major following is of course out of Japan, where it has run successfully for 51 years, but it is important to note the high following on NJPW in the USA, where in 2019 NJPW sold out Madison Square Garden in New York,” Mr Vale said.

“Wrestling is an amazing product on TV but even better live, this is a major international brand being brought to Wagga through the successful Regional Destination Funding grant program of NSW Government.”

“This will be an event featuring some great out-of-the-ring activities and, in particular, engagement with fans and the wrestlers, and one we hope can be turned into an annual event moving forward.”

Bad Luck Fale is a Tongan-New Zealander who is a recognised and long-standing wrestler with NJPW.

“This is an important event for NJPW in 2023,” Bad Luck Fale said. “The calibre of wrestling talent and matches will be at the highest level, with wrestlers from all parts of the NJPW roster.

“The strong style of NJPW pro wrestling means it is appealing to both sports fans and fans of combat and contact sports, and as pro wrestling and NJPW does – expect the unexpected, don’t miss this event.”

GLO Sport is in the final stages of confirming the event dates and ticketing information and should have this information confirmed by the end of January.

📷 Hero Image: courtesy of New Japan Pro Wrestling.