After the first two editions in 2004 and 2005, DDT produced three annual King of DDT events from 2006 to 2008 which featured no tournament. The tournament returned in 2009 as the KO-D Openweight Championship Contendership Tournament. In 2011, the tournament reverted back to its original name.
The 2004 King of DDT Tournament was held from May 29 to May 30.
2005
The 2005 King of DDT Tournament was held from May 22 to May 29 and featured only eight participants. On the first day of the tournament, Yusuke Inokuma defeated Jun Inomata and Yoshihiko in a qualifying match to earn a spot in the tournament.
2009
The 2009 KO-D Openweight Championship Contendership Tournament ran from June 7 to July 10. Kota Ibushi, the winner of the tournament, went on to defeat Harashima for the championship on August 23, beginning his first reign with the title.
2010
The 2010 KO-D Openweight Championship Contendership Tournament ran from May 23 to May 30. Harashima, the winner of the tournament, went on to defeat Daisuke Sekimoto for the championship on July 25, beginning his fourth reign with the title.
2011
In 2011, the tournament reverted back to the "King of DDT Tournament" name and ran from May 21 to May 29. Kudo, the winner of the tournament, became the first two-time winner and went on to defeat Shuji Ishikawa for the championship on July 24, beginning his first reign with the title.
2012
The 2012 King of DDT Tournament ran from June 30 to July 8. Kenny Omega became the first non-Japanese to win the King of DDT Tournament and went on to fail in his challenge against KO-D Openweight Champion Kota Ibushi on August 18.
2013
The 2013 King of DDT Tournament ran from June 28 to July 7. Harashima, the winner of the tournament became the second two-time winner and went on to defeat Shigehiro Irie for the championship on August 18, beginning his fifth reign with the title.
2014
The 2014 King of DDT Tournament ran from June 14 to June 29. Isami Kodaka, the winner of the tournament went on to fail in his three-way challenge against Kenny Omega and KO-D Openweight Champion Harashima on August 17.
2015
The 2015 King of DDT Tournament ran from June 6 to June 28, covering three shows. Yukio Sakaguchi, the winner of the tournament went on to defeat Kudo for the championship on August 23, beginning his first reign with the title.
2016
The 2016 King of DDT Tournament ran from June 5 to June 26. Shuji Ishikawa, the winner of the tournament went on to defeat Konosuke Takeshita for the championship on August 28, beginning his fourth reign.
2017
The 2017 King of DDT Tournament ran from June 4 to June 25. Kazuki Hirata competed under the ring name of Hirata Collection A.T., a parody of Milano Collection A.T.. Tetsuya Endo, the winner of the tournament went on to fail in his challenge against KO-D Openweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita on August 20.
2018
The 2018 King of DDT Tournament ran from July 31 to August 28. Instead of the usual 16 participants, this edition featured 32 participants. On July 23, it was announced a lottery would shuffle the final eight into new matches. Three days later, it was announced that Daiki Shimomura would be pulled out of the tournament after injuring his left MCL; he was replaced by Saki Akai. Six days later, Konosuke Takeshita pulled out of the tournament after suffering a shoulder injury and was replaced by Kazuki Hirata. Daisuke Sasaki, the winner of the tournament went on to deafeat Danshoku Dino for the championship on October 21.
† The final eight participants were randomly shuffled into new matches.
2019
The 2019 King of DDT Tournament ran from April 29 to May 19. This edition featured 14 participants and a battle royale between six of the seven first round losers was held on the second day with the winner getting a bye to the second round. Konosuke Takeshita, the winner of the tournament went on to defeat Tetsuya Endo for the championship on July 15, beginning his fourth reign with the title.
† On the May 6 event, Harashima defeated Kota Umeda, Mao, Kazuki Hirata, Yuki Ueno and Mike Bailey in a battle royale to earn a spot in the second round of the tournament.
‡ Harashima and Kazusada Higuchi agreed to switch opponents.
2020
The 2020 King of DDT Tournament will run from August 8 to 23. This edition will feature 28 participants and a "Dramatic Chance" battle royale between all the losers of the first round will be held on the second day, giving the winner a bye into the quarterfinals. The semifinalists will be shuffled into new matches. The KO-D Openweight Champion Tetsuya Endo will participate.
