NIPPON DARTS FESTIVAL 2026: Complete Guide for International Players
This page will be updated throughout the 2026 tournament season as we complete each step ourselves.
A practical guide for international players based on our firsthand experience registering for the NIPPON DARTS FESTIVAL from Hawaii.
📅 Last Updated: August 13, 2026
Current Status
Guide Version: 1.1
🔴 Lottery results are in — unfortunately, we were not selected for either of our entries.
Our lottery results:
❌ Day 1 – Doubles Festival
❌ Day 2 – Teams Festival
But our NIPPON DARTS FESTIVAL journey isn't over yet!
🟡 Second-round entry opens August 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM JST (August 24 at 11:00 PM HST).
The second-round entry will be first-come, first-served and will include additional spots made available through venue layout adjustments and cancellations from the first-round entry.
📅 Next major update:
Second-round entry process and results
────────────────────────
🆕 What's New
Version 1.1 (August 13, 2026)
• Added our lottery results.
• Neither our Day 1 Doubles nor Day 2 Teams entry was selected in the first-round lottery.
• Added information about the second-round entry.
• Second-round entry begins August 25 at 6:00 PM JST and is first-come, first-served.
• We'll document the second-round entry process as we try again.
Version 1.0 (August 1, 2026)
• Published the first version of this guide.
• Added the lottery entry timeline.
• Added a step-by-step overview of the registration process.
• Added Frequently Asked Questions.
Follow Along
We'll continue updating this guide throughout the 2026 NIPPON DARTS FESTIVAL registration process.
For real-time updates, screenshots, and behind-the-scenes experiences, follow eDart Shop on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/edartshop
Welcome to the Guide
Who is this guide for?
This guide is designed for international players who plan to travel to Japan and participate in the NIPPON DARTS FESTIVAL.
It covers the registration process, lottery entry, payment, team registration, and tournament preparation based on our firsthand experience entering from Hawaii.
Whether it's your first visit to Japan or your first darts tournament overseas, we hope this guide makes the registration process easier and helps you avoid some of the confusion we experienced.
Disclaimer
This guide is based on our personal experience entering the 2026 NIPPON DARTS FESTIVAL. While we do our best to keep it accurate and up to date, tournament rules, schedules, and procedures may change. Please always verify the latest information on the official NIPPON DARTS FESTIVAL website.
Official Resources
- Official website: https://www.dartslive.com/matsuri/jp/tournament/index.html
- Official website (English): https://www.dartslive.com/matsuri/en/index.html
- Official Rules
- Official FAQ
- Official Contact
Quick Navigation
- Current Status
- Entry Timeline
- Before You Begin
- Step-by-Step Guide
- FAQ
- Our Journey
- Updates
Entry Timeline
| Event | Japan (JST) | Hawaii (HST) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lottery Entry Opens | July 28, 2026 | July 27, 2026 | ✅ |
| Lottery Entry Closes | August 6, 2026 (12:00 PM) | August 5, 2026 (5:00 PM) | ✅ |
| Lottery Results | August 13, 2026 | August 13, 2026* | ✅ |
| Second-Round Entry Opens | August 25, 2026 (6:00 PM) | August 24, 2026 (11:00 PM) | ⏳ |
| Entry Fee Payment | TBD | TBD | ⏳ |
| Team Registration Deadline | September 10, 2026 | September 9, 2026 | ⏳ |
| Tournament | September 20–21, 2026 | September 19–20, 2026 | ⏳ |
*Our lottery result emails arrived shortly after 2:00 AM HST on August 13.
📖 Our Journey
We're documenting each step as we go — including the disappointing ones!
Our 2026 entries:
Day 1 – Doubles Festival
Yuko + Dennis
❌ Not selected in the first-round lottery
Day 2 – Teams Festival
Team: eDart Shop Hawaii
❌ Not selected in the first-round lottery
We received our lottery result emails in Hawaii shortly after 2:00 AM on August 13.
Of course, we were disappointed to find out that neither entry was selected. But fortunately, this isn't necessarily the end of the road.
We're going to try again in the second-round entry! 🎯
Lottery Results
Lottery results for the first-round entry were announced on August 13, 2026 (JST).
We received separate result emails for each event we entered.
Unfortunately, neither of our entries was selected:
❌ Day 1 – Doubles Festival
❌ Day 2 – Teams Festival
The result email also included important information about a second-round entry opportunity.
What happens if you weren't selected?
According to the lottery result email we received, second-round entries will be accepted for spots that become available due to:
• Additional capacity created through venue layout adjustments
• Cancellations from first-round entries
Unlike the first-round lottery, the second round will be:
⚡ First-come, first-served
Second-Round Entry
📅 Opens: August 25, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM JST
For players in Hawaii:
📅 August 24, 2026
🕚 11:00 PM HST
Because this round is first-come, first-served, timing will matter this time.
We'll be ready when registration opens and will document exactly what happens so other international players can see how the second-round process works.
Before You Begin
Everyone should have
✓ A DARTSLIVE Card
✓ Your 16-digit DARTSLIVE Card ID
✓ A non-iCloud email address (recommended)
✓ A valid passport (if traveling from overseas)
Depending on the event(s) you enter:
✓ A partner or team members (if required)
✓ Confirm all participants meet the event requirements.
Representative
✓ One representative should complete the application for the pair or team.
Step-by-Step Entry Process
We'll continue adding screenshots and detailed instructions throughout the registration process.
This guide will be expanded with detailed walkthroughs for:
• Creating an applicant account
• Entering your DARTSLIVE Card ID
• Registering for different tournament events (such as Doubles and Teams)
• Receiving the confirmation email
• Lottery results
• Paying the entry fee
• Completing the Team Registration Form
After You Submit
Confirmation email
Entry ID
Wait for the lottery results email.
Payment
This section will be updated if we successfully secure a spot through the second-round entry and receive payment instructions.
Teams Registration
We'll explain how to complete the Teams Registration Form after payment has been confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Registration
Should I use the English or Japanese website?
The English version is helpful for understanding the overall process, but some forms and instructions may still appear in Japanese. We found it useful to switch between both versions when needed.
Do I need a Japanese address or phone number?
No. We successfully registered from Hawaii using our overseas contact information. We'll continue updating this guide if we discover any limitations during the registration process.
Do I need to register as soon as the lottery opens?
No. During the lottery entry period, the timing of your application does not affect your chances of being selected. As long as you submit your application before the deadline, your odds remain the same.
Can both doubles partners submit an entry?
No. Only one representative should submit the application. If duplicate applications for the same pair are submitted, the tournament organizers may remove the duplicate entry.
What if I enter the wrong DARTSLIVE Card ID?
According to the official rules, entries with an incorrect 16-digit DARTSLIVE Card ID may be excluded from the lottery. Double-check all card IDs before submitting your application.
I wasn't selected in the lottery. Is that the end?
Not necessarily.
For the 2026 tournament, organizers announced a second-round entry period for additional spots created through venue layout adjustments and cancellations from first-round entries.
Second-round entry begins August 25 at 6:00 PM JST.
Is the second-round entry another lottery?
No. According to the result email we received, the second-round entry is first-come, first-served.
This is different from the first-round lottery, where applying earlier did not improve your chances.
For the second round, we plan to be ready as soon as registration opens.
Do I need to apply again if I wasn't selected?
Yes. The result email invites unsuccessful applicants to apply for the second-round entry.
We'll update this section after we go through the process ourselves and can explain exactly how it works.
Payment
We'll add payment-related questions after, if we successfully secure a spot through the second-round entry and receive payment instructions.
Team Registration
We'll add team registration questions after payment instructions become available.
Tournament Day
We'll continue adding practical tips and frequently asked questions as we prepare for the tournament.
About This Guide
We aren't affiliated with DARTSLIVE or the tournament organizers. We're passionate darts players from Hawaii documenting our own experience so future international players can have a smoother registration experience.
We hope this guide makes the registration process easier for future international players. As we learn more, we'll continue updating this page throughout the tournament season.
🎯 Found this guide helpful?
Please consider sharing it with other darts players planning to attend the NIPPON DARTS FESTIVAL.
We'll continue updating this page throughout the 2026 tournament season as we complete each step ourselves.
⭐ Bookmark this page and check back for future updates.