Earlier this week, AEW and NJPW announced that the fifth annual Forbidden Door pay-per-view will take place on June 28, 2026. The crossover event will emanate from SAP Center in San Jose, California.
Interestingly, Forbidden Door 2026 will be on the same day as TNA’s showpiece event, Slammiversary. The 22nd annual PPV will take place at Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts. Notably, TNA announced the date for the pay-per-view on April 9.
In today’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON), Dave Meltzer reported that neither WWE, despite running an event in San Jose recently, nor TNA had an idea that AEW would schedule Forbidden Door on the same day.
Why AEW opted for San Jose as venue for Forbidden Door 2026
This will be a quick return to San Jose for AEW, as it recently ran an event (3/11 Collision) in the city, and according to Meltzer, Tony Khan was “thrilled” with the response that Andrade vs. Mascara Dorada generated despite the bout taking place four hours deep into the show. The show was a sell-out, albeit at a smaller venue (San Jose Civic Auditorium), drawing 2400 fans. However, the challenge will be tougher when it comes to selling out the SAP Center.
While it may not sell out, Meltzer believes that it will likely draw the largest non-WWE crowd for a pro wrestling event ever in the city. Notably, WWE recently drew 10,482 fans at the same venue for an episode of SmackDown. Meanwhile, a recent report from Bodyslam+ recently claimed that AEW timed the announcement of Forbidden Door 2026 this week, as WWE ran SmackDown from the same venue last Friday.
As reported by @mercnews, AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling are bringing #ForbiddenDoor to San Jose, CA!
The 5th annual event will feature the brightest stars from AEW, @njpwglobal, @CMLL_OFICIAL, and @we_are_stardom, LIVE from the @SAPCenter on Sunday, June 28. pic.twitter.com/WnRlPoa2SQ
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 15, 2026