Cygames says Umamusume: Pretty Derby concerts may be postponed over visa delays

Cygames said the October 22–23, 2026 Umamusume: Pretty Derby concerts in Los Angeles could be postponed or cancelled due to unapproved US entry visas for performers. Cygames stated that, as of October 19, 2026, the US entry visas required for the Umamusume: Pretty Derby performers had still not been approved. The company said it had spent more than six months trying to obtain the required US visas through lawyers and promoters. Yet the permissions remained unavailable.

Cygames said it would announce a final decision on whether the concerts could proceed by 10:00 p.m. PT on October 19, 2026, according to Shacknews. “we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and concern this causes, and for announcing this so close to the event date.” The apology reflects the company’s recognition of the frustration and disappointment among fans who had traveled or planned to attend the event. This emphasized the unexpected nature of the delay.

Kotaku and Anime Trending reported that the visa problems affecting the Umamusume: Pretty Derby concert stem from the Trump administration’s tighter immigration rules. The article noted that after Trump’s return to the White House in 2024, his administration stepped up immigration enforcement. This led a number of foreign artists to cite visa problems when canceling or skipping U.S. performances.

Siliconera reported that Kuro Games’ Wuthering Waves concert went ahead on October 17, 2026, but vocalist Tarokiki could not attend due to an unforeseen visa complication, leading to refunds for fans who requested them. The piece noted that, aside from Umamusume, another game‑related show encountered visa trouble when Kuro Games said its Wuthering Waves singer was barred by an unexpected visa problem. Yet the October 17 event proceeded with refunds offered to affected ticket holders.

The organizers announced the 7th EVENT WORLD TOUR: THE STAGE in Jul. 2026, with Los Angeles slated as the second stop after Tokyo and before London, Seoul, and Yokohama, according to Anime Trending. The article said the organizers announced the tour in mid‑2026, listing a 17‑person cast. It explained that the Los Angeles dates follow the Tokyo leg and precede shows in London, Seoul and Yokohama.

Cygames began coordinating with U.S. lawyers and promoters over six months ago to secure visas for the Umamusume: Pretty Derby performers for the October 22–23, 2026 Los Angeles concerts. The visa process began well in advance of the event, with Cygames relying on legal and promotional support to navigate U.S. immigration requirements. Despite these efforts, the visas remained unapproved as of October 19, 2026, raising concerns about the event’s feasibility.

The Los Angeles concert features a 17-member lineup, including Machico, Tomoyo Takayanagi, Rena Maeda, Minami Takahashi, Yui Ogura, Hitomi Sasaki, Yukina Shuto, Misaki Watada, Kaori Maeda, and Hikaru Tono. The organizers announced the lineup in Jul. 2026 as part of the tour’s global expansion. This highlighted the franchise’s popularity and the significance of the Los Angeles stop as a major showcase for its voice actors.

The Umamusume: Pretty Derby concerts in Los Angeles were originally scheduled to take place at the Peacock Theater. The organizers announced the venue alongside the event in Jul. 2026. This marked the first international stop for the franchise’s world tour after Tokyo and before London, Seoul, and Yokohama.

Fans from across the U.S. and Japan have traveled to Los Angeles for the Umamusume: Pretty Derby concerts, spending thousands of dollars on tickets and accommodations, according to Kotaku. The event’s rarity and global appeal have drawn significant attendance. Fans investing heavily in the opportunity to see the live performance leave them vulnerable to potential cancellations.

The Umamusume: Pretty Derby franchise expanded globally in Jun. 2025, achieving success through its music, art, and anime horse-racing betting mechanics, according to Shacknews. The franchise’s global success contributed to its nomination for Shacknews Mobile Game of the Year in 2025. This underscored its cross-platform and multimedia appeal.

The Trump administration’s immigration crackdowns have led to visa complications for international musicians, causing cancellations or rescheduling of U.S. performances, according to Kotaku and Anime Trending. The broader trend of visa denials and delays has affected many artists across genres, including bands and K-pop acts, according to Kotaku and Anime Trending. This highlighted systemic challenges for live events in the U.S.

Anime Trending reported that TAEMIN postponed the North American leg of his 2026‑27 world tour after citing delays in securing U.S. visas for his band and crew. The postponement shows that the Trump administration’s stricter visa policies are causing cancellations and rescheduling for overseas performers, according to Kotaku and Anime Trending.

Swedish band Thrown rescheduled two U.S. shows due to ‘unforeseen visa delays within the touring party.’ The rescheduling underscores the logistical challenges faced by touring acts when visa approvals experience delays. This impacts both artists and fans.

Two members of multinational band Save Us have yet to secure visas for their upcoming tour with American band Saosin. This ongoing visa issue highlights the persistent challenges faced by international artists seeking to perform in the U.S. This is true even for established acts.

The Umamusume: Pretty Derby concerts in Los Angeles are part of a global tour that includes stops in London and Seoul after the U.S. event. The tour’s itinerary reflects the franchise’s international expansion. The U.S. stop serves as a key milestone before further global performances.

Cygames cannot substitute or replace the Umamusume: Pretty Derby voice actors for the Los Angeles concerts, unlike Kuro Games’ approach for the Wuthering Waves event. The reliance on specific voice actors for the Umamusume: Pretty Derby concerts makes substitutions impractical. This is unlike the Wuthering Waves event where they accommodated a vocalist’s absence differently.