TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 12, 2026--
AXS Japan, a trusted leader in advanced ticketing and live event technology, announced today that it will serve as the Official Ticketing Partner for “BLACK SAMURAI SUMMIT 2026,” the second annual special event hosted by professional basketball player Rui Hachimura, taking place from August 6-8, 2026. The BLACK SAMURAI Showcase concludes a training camp designed to elevate Japanese basketball on the global stage while inspiring the next generation of players and fans across the country.
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BLACK SAMURAI is a breakthrough event that creates a powerful bridge between Rui Hachimura, competing at the highest level of international basketball, and the next generation of athletes in Japan who aspire to follow in his footsteps. Through direct fan engagement and hands-on mentorship, Hachimura shares the elite skills, physical preparation, and disciplined mindset required to compete among the world’s best. Building on the momentum of 2025, “BLACK SAMURAI 2026” will once again deliver immersive coaching experiences for young players while serving as a defining sports and entertainment platform that promotes ambition nationwide and strengthens Japan’s presence in the global basketball community.
From Rui Hachimura:
“I am grateful for AXS’s support and for their belief in the vision that BLACK SAMURAI represents. As a Japanese athlete and a professional basketball player, my goal is to grow this initiative over the long term, elevate it to an even higher level, and ultimately share it with the world. Together with AXS, I hope we can create a seamless and trusted event experience – not only for the young players participating in the camp, but also for the fans who support this journey.”
AXS, the ticketing arm of AEG – the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company – manages ticket sales for hundreds of arenas, sports teams, festivals, and concerts throughout North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. AXS’s platform provides global-standard functionality with flexible ticketing configurations designed to support diverse event needs. This enables event organizers to configure ticket sales settings and tailor their ticketing strategies at the individual event level.
From Akio Masamoto, Vice President, AXS Japan:
“BLACK SAMURAI is more than an event – it represents ambition, national pride and the elevation of Japanese basketball onto the world stage. It is an honor for AXS to serve as official ticketing partner in support of Rui Hachimura’s leadership and vision. Through our global platform and commitment to innovation, security and fan experience, we are proud to help deliver an event worthy of Rui’s mission and the next generation of athletes.”
“BLACK SAMURAI SUMMIT 2026” Event Overview
Event Name: BLACK SAMURAI SUMMIT 2026
Event Date: August 6-8, 2026
Organizer: BLACK SAMURAI
Official Ticket Sales: AXS Japan (Official Ticketing Partner)
Onsale Information: 12:00 JST, April 17 (20:00 PDT, April 16)
Official Event Website: https://blacksamurai.jp/2026/summit
About AXS
AXS is a trusted leader in advanced ticketing and live event technology, operating across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, providing access to some of the world’s most iconic venues, sports teams, festivals, and global tours. With customized ticketing solutions, innovative technology, and dedicated customer service, AXS partners with over 1,600 of the most recognized brands in sports and entertainment — including the LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, The O2 Arena, BNP Paribas Open, WM Phoenix Open, and Stagecoach Country Music Festival. AXS’s primary and secondary marketplaces, along with its proprietary AXS Mobile ID technology, deliver one of the easiest and most secure ways for fans to buy, sell, and manage tickets.
www.axs.com/
About BLACK SAMURAI 2026
“BLACK SAMURAI 2026” is a platform designed to pass on the experience, perspective, and mindset that Rui Hachimura has gained on the global stage to the next generation, with the aim of strengthening and advancing Japanese basketball.
By providing children and emerging top players with direct exposure to global standards, the initiative seeks to update long-standing norms in Japan such as domestically focused development environments centered around schools and local clubs, as well as coaching approaches that emphasize long training hours detached from real-game situations. Through this, BLACK SAMURAI aims to redefine what is considered “normal” in Japanese basketball.
Through these efforts, the program will not only impact young players but also create meaningful changes in the awareness and environment of those surrounding the sport, including parents, coaches, and basketball fans.
In addition, by exposing participants to global standards from an early age, the initiative broadens their perspectives and expands their future opportunities. It also aims to provide children who have limited access to basketball due to financial or other constraints with the opportunity to experience the joy of the sport and create pathways for continued engagement.
Rui Hachimura Official Accounts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rui_8mura/
X: https://x.com/rui_8mura
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rui_8mura
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BLACK_SAMURAI_RUI_HACHIMURA
BLACK SAMURAI Official Accounts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blacksamurai/
Professional Basketball Player Rui Hachimura Hosts Second Annual BLACK SAMURAI SUMMIT 2026 Showcase to Inspire the Next Generation of Athletes
