Beyond the Cancellation: Umamusume Fans Come Together at Cosplay Trackside

Over the past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend Cosplay Trackside 2026 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Originally, I had planned to visit Los Angeles for the Umamusume: Pretty Derby concert, but those plans were unexpectedly derailed when Cygames announced the event’s cancellation just days before it was scheduled to take place.

For those unfamiliar with the situation, Cygames released the following statement on October 20, 2026, regarding the cancellation of the Umamusume: Pretty Derby – 7th EVENT: THE STAGE in LOS ANGELES concerts scheduled for October 22–23.

It is with heavy hearts that we must announce the cancellation of the Umamusume: Pretty Derby – 7th EVENT: THE STAGE in LOS ANGELES concerts planned for Oct 22–23, 2026. Although we have coordinated repeatedly with all parties concerned and explored every possible option in our efforts to make this event happen, we were unable to obtain the necessary visas for entry into the US, so we have come to the painful conclusion that holding the concerts is no longer possible.

To all the Trainers who were eagerly looking forward to the show, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and concern this causes, and for announcing this so close to the event date. Due to this cancellation, we will process refunds for the following: ・On-site viewing tickets ・Streaming tickets In addition, we are looking into possible responses to Trainers who were planning to attend the concert in person. This will take some time, so we ask for your patience.

Details will be announced on the 7th EVENT WORLD TOUR official website. Once again, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this causes to all the Trainers who were eagerly looking forward to the concerts, as well as to the Umamusume cast, partner company staff, and everyone involved who put tremendous effort into making this event happen. (@umamusume_eng)

Despite the disappointment surrounding the cancellation, the passion of the Umamusume community was still very much alive. On October 22, the day the first Los Angeles concert was originally scheduled to take place, fans gathered outside the Peacock Theater for a vigil to honor the event that never came to be. Although the concerts would not take place as planned, fans from both the U.S. and abroad still found a way to come together and show their love for the franchise and the performers they had been looking forward to seeing.

Cygames also took the time to acknowledge the fans who gathered outside the Peacock Theater, sharing a heartfelt message about how the sight of Trainers coming together had left their hearts full. The company expressed its gratitude for the community’s warmth, kindness, and unwavering support, while once again apologizing for the cancellation. The message showed that the passion of the Umamusume community had not gone unnoticed. Even though the concerts could not take place as planned, the love shown by the fans was still something worth celebrating.

Our hearts are full seeing Trainers coming together and connecting in front of the Peacock Theater today. Your warmth and kindness have been truly inspiring to see, and we are profoundly grateful. We would like to once again extend our sincerest apologies for the concert’s cancellation, and thank all of our Umazing Trainers for your unwavering support! #Umamusume— Umamusume: Pretty Derby (@umamusume_eng)

While the vigil outside the Peacock Theater gave Trainers a chance to come together on what should have been the first night of the Los Angeles concerts, another opportunity to celebrate the franchise awaited fans that same weekend. Held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, Cosplay Trackside 2026 brought trainers together for an event dedicated to the world of Umamusume.

Cosplay Trackside 2026:

As I prepared for my trip to California, something funny came to light. Little did I know that my trip to Cosplay Trackside would turn into something of a homecoming. When I told my mother about my plans, she jokingly pointed out that I would be returning to my birthplace. As it turns out, I was born at the hospital directly outside Santa Anita Park. Who knew that becoming an Umamusume fan would eventually bring me back to where my story began?

And while my return to the Santa Anita Park came with its own personal significance, the real highlight of Cosplay Trackside was getting to meet and speak with fellow Umamusume fans. Throughout the event, I had the opportunity to chat with Trainers about their love for the franchise, what brought them to Cosplay Trackside, and how they felt about the canceled Los Angeles concerts.

As I walked around the event, I got to speak and interact with fans from across the country, including New York, Seattle, and Portland, as well as many local attendees from California. The general sentiment among the fans I spoke with was encouraging, with many expressing that they would absolutely love to attend another Umamusume concert in the United States.

I also asked California locals whether they would be willing to travel to the opposite coast, such as New York, if a future concert were held there instead of Los Angeles. While responses varied, many said they would be willing to make the trip given enough time to save money and plan ahead.

Although the Los Angeles concerts ultimately did not happen, these conversations left me with a hopeful impression of the community’s enthusiasm for a future U.S. event. Whether in Los Angeles, New York, or somewhere else in the country, many of the Trainers I met would welcome another opportunity to experience a Umamusume live concert in the United States.

Cosplay Trackside itself was a unique event, with plenty of different activities to enjoy. From browsing Artist Alley to watching live horse racing, there was always something happening. I even decided to try my luck with a bet on one of the races, only to walk away with a loss! Despite that, the beautiful mountain views surrounding Santa Anita Park made it a wonderful setting for an event like this.

Another highlight was the mini concerts, where Umamusume cosplayers performed the dances featured in the game. It was a fun way to bring the franchise to life and let fans experience some of its most recognizable performances in person.

On a more wholesome note, I was also lucky enough to witness a couple of marriage proposals during the event. One particularly memorable moment involved a fan proposing to a cosplayer dressed as Special Week, one of the franchise’s most recognizable characters. It was genuinely sweet to witness, and moments like these helped make Cosplay Trackside feel like more than just an event. It was a place where people could come together over something they loved and create memories of their own.

Conclusion:

Although the cancellation of the Los Angeles concerts was undoubtedly disappointing, my experience at Cosplay Trackside reminded me that the passion of the Umamusume community in the United States is still very much alive. From the Trainers who gathered outside the Peacock Theater to the fans I spoke with at Santa Anita Park, it was clear that many of us would gladly welcome another opportunity to experience an Umamusume concert on American soil.

To Cygames, I hope this isn’t the end of the road for an Umamusume live concert in the United States. I understand that circumstances can sometimes prevent things from going as planned, but I hope the support shown by the community serves as a reminder of how much this franchise means to its American fans. Even in the face of disappointment, Trainers continued to come together, support one another, and celebrate the series they love. I hope that passion will encourage Cygames to consider giving us another opportunity someday, whether in Los Angeles or another city across the country.

And to my fellow Trainers, let’s not give up hope. We are resilient in the face of adversity, and this setback doesn’t have to be the end of our story. I believe the Umas will have their moment in the States someday, and when that day comes, I hope we’ll stand together and cheer louder than ever before. So stand tall, Trainers, for if not us, then who else?

Sources: Santa Anita Park Website, Cosplay Trackside X (Formerly Twitter)
© Cygames, Inc.
© CookieTanukiArt (Cosplay Trackside Flyers)

And my own camera!