The BEYBLADE X phenomenon is pivoting from a children’s toy line to a “Pro-Era” competitive sport, a transition marked by today’s BEYBLADE Day announcements. ADK Emotions NY Inc. and T-Licensing Inc. have confirmed that the first-ever BEYBLADE X Grand Prix Final will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, in December 2026.
The move to Bangkok reflects the region’s explosive growth in the “Gears Sports” category, though the impact is being felt much closer to home. Data indicates that interest in the franchise in the United Kingdom has reached a five-year peak in 2026, outstripping a stable but less aggressive worldwide trend. This local surge coincides with Hasbro’s launch of the BEYBLADE X Xtreme Battle Set and the Meteoroid Dragoon set, which are designed to offer mechanical parity between Western and Japanese releases for the first time in the brand’s history.
From Manga to Metal: The “Pro-Era” Shift
The creative force behind the current generation is a significant departure from the brand’s origins. The BEYBLADE X storyline is authored by Hikaru Muno and Homura Kawamoto, the creators of the high-stakes psychological manga Kakegurui. This influence has manifested in a more mature, sports-focused aesthetic, moving away from “magical spirits” and towards high-performance engineering.
Katsuhito Akiyama, the series director known for his work on the Macross franchise, has reportedly approached the new designs with a “mecha” philosophy. This shift is evident in the new Xtreme Dash mechanic, which utilises a rail system in the stadium to accelerate tops to higher speeds than previous generations.
Global Competition and the “Hasbro Gap”
A long-standing point of friction within the community has been the “Hasbro Gap” – the perceived quality and weight difference between Western Hasbro releases and the Japanese Takara Tomy originals. With the 2026 Grand Prix, the companies are promising “identical” performance to ensure a level playing field for the 19 participating regions.
Tsubasa Imai, Director at T-Licensing Inc., said in a statement:
This BEYBLADE Day is particularly special as it marks the first time we’re bringing our fans together for a truly global championship. The BEYBLADE X Grand Prix Final 2026 in Bangkok is a testament to the brand’s incredible growth and the passionate community that has formed around it.”
Digital Dominance and Physical Collectables
While the physical world prepares for the Grand Prix, the digital front is expanding via Roblox. The BEYBLADE X-BATTLES experience has surpassed 100 million visits, and a digital championship is scheduled for Summer 2026. Additionally, a collaboration with Funko will see the release of Pop! Vinyl figures featuring classic characters Tyson Granger and Kai Hiwatari, bridging the gap between the original “Generation 1” fans and the new BEYBLADE X cohort.
The BEYBLADE X Grand Prix qualifying tournaments are set to begin worldwide in April 2026.
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