Red Bull Maneki Jam, a skateboard jam session in which the audience determines the winner, is set to take place on June 21, 2026 — International Go Skateboarding Day as designated by the International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) — at the Osu Shopping Street Fureai Hiroba in Nagoya's Naka Ward. Registration opens on May 29 (Fri).
The venue is ordinarily a no-skateboarding zone, making this a rare occasion when skaters take over the Fureai Hiroba with a special approximately 25-meter short course installed exclusively for the event.
What Makes This Event Unique
A standout feature of Red Bull Maneki Jam is its judging format. In addition to professional skaters on the panel, ten spectators randomly selected from the crowd also serve as judges. Each judge receives a gold coin crafted in the image of the beckoning cat ("maneki neko") — a symbol long associated with Osu — and casts a vote for the skater they feel "hyped up the crowd the most." The winner is decided by the genuine energy of the audience, creating an immersive, crowd-driven experience.
The event runs five sessions, each 10 minutes long, with skaters entering sessions at random. One rider advances from each session, and the five finalists go head-to-head in the championship round.
The winner receives an invitation to a future Red Bull-organized skateboarding event, with transportation and accommodation included.
Event Details
- Event Name: Red Bull Maneki Jam
- Date: June 21, 2026, 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
- Venue: Osu Shopping Street Fureai Hiroba (3-45 Osu, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi)
- Participation Fee: Free
- Spectator Admission: Free
- Age Requirement: 16 years and older (parental consent required for participants under 18)
- Skill Level: Open to all skill levels
- Capacity: 40 participants (registration closes when capacity is reached)
- Entry Period: May 29, 2026 (Fri) 12:00 AM through June 19, 2026 (Fri) 11:59 PM
- Entry URL: https://participate.redbull.com/en/events/red-bull-maneki-jam/2026
- Judges: Daisuke Kato, Daisuke Nakaura, and 10 randomly selected spectators
- MC: Daisuke Miyajima
- Supported by: Osu Shopping Street Federation
Judges
Daisuke Kato
Daisuke Kato began skateboarding in 1995 and studied in San Francisco in 2007. After returning to Japan, he competed in numerous tournaments and earned professional status. He has served as a judge for the AJSA Chubu Circuit for over eight years, and also runs "KAYA STORE" in Nakatsugawa City, Gifu — a shop centered around skateboarding, coffee, and furniture. He is active in community culture through event production and workshops rooted in local scenes.
Daisuke Nakaura
A Japanese professional skateboarder who grew up in Ohio, USA, Daisuke Nakaura started skating at age 10 and began competing in international events in 2013. He has since entered competitions around the world and achieved a world ranking. Alongside his competitive career, he manages the skate park "Kiseki no Park," runs a skateboarding school, and appears in advertisements and commercials.
MC
Daisuke Miyajima
An active skater performing both in Japan and abroad, Daisuke Miyajima currently heads the skateboarding division of MAGICAL MOSH MISFITS. In recent years, he has served as MC and commentator at major domestic skateboarding events, including SLS Tokyo and TBS's "KASSO."
Scenes from the 2025 Event
Shuji Izumo / Red Bull Content Pool
Shuji Izumo / Red Bull Content Pool
