Fans of Dragon Ball have a date to circle in red ink January 25, 2026. That’s when Bandai Namco and Toei Animation will officially unveil a brand-new Dragon Ball game during the Dragon Ball Genkidamatsuri event at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. The reveal, dubbed the “New Game Super Announcement Stage,” has already sent the fanbase buzzing with speculation, theories, and cautious excitement.

Unlike many of Bandai Namco’s teases in the past, this one isn’t being tied to existing titles like Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO or Dokkan Battle. The announcement calls it a “new game project,” a phrase that’s set expectations sky-high. It suggests something beyond just another entry in the fighting series or a mobile spin-off. Fans are hoping for a full-fledged console and PC title, one that pushes the Dragon Ball universe into fresh territory.

The timing couldn’t be better. 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the Dragon Ball franchise, a milestone that’s bound to be celebrated across games, anime, and merchandise. Over the years, Dragon Ball has reinvented itself through major gaming milestones from Budokai Tenkaichi 3’s sprawling arena battles to Xenoverse’s time-twisting storylines and Kakarot’s RPG storytelling. A new project debuting during such a milestone year suggests Bandai Namco wants to make a statement about the series’ future.

What exactly could that look like? There’s no shortage of speculation. Some believe it could be a follow-up to Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, expanding into the Super or GT sagas. Others think it might take inspiration from modern arena brawlers like Naruto Storm Connections, aiming to blend cinematic visuals with fast-paced combat. There’s even talk of a more open-world approach something that lets players explore the Dragon Ball universe freely, training under different masters, battling iconic villains, and watching the world evolve around them.

Whatever form it takes, the announcement already carries a sense of importance. Bandai Namco’s recent success with Sparking! ZERO has proven there’s still a massive appetite for large-scale Dragon Ball titles. That game’s final DLC wave is due soon, which lines up neatly with January’s reveal. The timing hints that the publisher may be ready to pass the torch to a new generation of Dragon Ball games.

For now, the only certainty is the stage January 25 at 11:00 a.m. JST. Fans can expect the reveal to be streamed online, with English subtitles likely following shortly after. Whether this new project redefines Dragon Ball gaming or simply refines what already works, it’s clear that 2026 will open with a bang worthy of a Kamehameha.

Until then, all fans can do is speculate, rewatch their favourite battles, and wait for that fateful phrase “The next Dragon Ball game has begun.”