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IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship History

Complete list of every IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship reign — who held it, when they won it, and how long they kept it. Established Dec 11, 2023.

Current Champion
Since May 3, 2026 · 41+ days
7
Total Reigns
5
Champions
245
Longest (days)
David Finlay
Most Reigns
David Finlay

Full Title Lineage

#ChampionWonReign
7 Andrade El Ídolo CURRENT May 3, 2026 41+ days
6 Yota Tsuji2nd reign Oct 13, 2025King of Pro-Wrestling 2025Tokyo, Japan 202 days
5 Gabe Kidd Jun 15, 2025Dominion 6.15 in Osaka-jo Hall (2025)Osaka, Japan 120 days
4 Yota Tsuji1st reign Jan 4, 2025Wrestle Kingdom 19Tokyo, Japan 162 days
3 David Finlay2nd reign A 245-day reign, the longest in the title history. May 4, 2024Wrestling Dontaku 2024Fukuoka, Japan 245 days
2 Nic Nemeth Feb 23, 2024The New Beginning 2024Sapporo, Japan 71 days
1 David Finlay1st reign Defeated Jon Moxley and Will Ospreay in a three-way match to become the inaugural champion. Jan 4, 2024Wrestle Kingdom 18Tokyo, Japan 50 days

New Japan's secondary heavyweight title and the successor to the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, established in December 2023 and first won by David Finlay at Wrestle Kingdom 18. Conceived as the belt for New Japan's international main-event scene, it has been a showcase for global stars. Finlay and Yota Tsuji share the record with two reigns apiece, and Finlay's second run of 245 days is the longest to date.

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship — FAQ

Andrade El Ídolo is the current IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, having won the title on May 3, 2026.

David Finlay was the inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, winning it on Jan 4, 2024 at Wrestle Kingdom 18.

David Finlay has the most reigns with 2.

David Finlay's reign beginning May 4, 2024 is the longest at 245 days.

There have been 7 reigns across 5 different champions since the title was established.