Grand Sumo Returns to London After 34 Years
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Japan Sumo Association Brings Top-Ranking Wrestlers to Royal Albert Hall for Historic Overseas Tournament
For the first time in 34 years, professional sumo wrestling returns to London as the Japan Sumo Association (JSA) stages a five-day Grand Sumo Tournament at the iconic Royal Albert Hall from October 15 to 19, 2025. The event marks a historic moment in the sport's 1,500-year-old history — and is part of the JSA's 100th anniversary celebrations.
The sumo wrestlers arrived in London on October 12, greeted by fans and cultural dignitaries. This is the first overseas exhibition by the JSA in 20 years, with the last taking place in Las Vegas in 2005. For British fans, it’s the first opportunity to witness professional sumo on home soil since the 1991 London basho, also held at the Royal Albert Hall.
An All-Star Line-Up of Rikishi
The event features a host of sumo’s biggest names:
74th Yokozuna Hoshoryu Byambasuren Sugarragchaa
75th Yokozuna Onosato Daiki Nakamura
Former Ozeki Kirishima Lkhagvasuren Byambachuluun
Ukrainian sensation Aonoshiki Arata, who has gained international attention as one of the few non-Japanese wrestlers in the top division
Notably absent due to injury is Ozeki Kotozakura, whose withdrawal was confirmed days before the event. Over 40 top-division wrestlers (makuuchi) are expected to take part, with daily matchups offering fans an up-close look at both fierce competition and the ceremonial aspects of Japan’s national sport.
Transforming Royal Albert Hall into a Dohyō
Hosting a full-scale sumo tournament in a Western concert venue is no small feat. The JSA, in collaboration with British organizers, has transformed the Royal Albert Hall into a makeshift sumo stadium complete with a traditional raised dohyō (ring), salt purification rituals, and a suspended canopy styled after a Shinto shrine. Engineers brought in over 11 tonnes of specially selected soil from Kettering to recreate the conditions of a traditional Japanese sumo ring. Additional reinforcements were made throughout the venue, including restrooms to accommodate the size and weight of sumo wrestlers, some of whom weigh upwards of 180 kg (400 lbs).
The London tournament is as much a cultural event as it is a sporting one. Visitors will witness the grandeur of the ring-entering ceremonies (dohyō-iri), the throwing of salt to purify the ring, and the traditional roles of gyōji (referees), yobidashi (announcers), and tattooed banners that mark wrestlers’ introductions.
The Japan Society and Embassy of Japan in the UK have partnered with the JSA to provide cultural programming throughout the week, including:
Public meet-and-greet sessions with wrestlers
Workshops on sumo etiquette and history
Ticket giveaways and educational events at institutions like Japan House London
According to Hakkaku, chairman of the Japan Sumo Association (and former Yokozuna Hokutoumi), this event is about more than sport:
"We want to share the spirit of sumo discipline, respect, and tradition with the people of Britain. This is a cultural bridge between Japan and the UK."
Each day features two main sessions: a matinee (2:00 PM) and an evening show (7:30 PM), each consisting of 20+ bouts. Spectators seated close to the action are advised to take precautions: wrestlers may fall into the front rows, and ringside salt or sand can be thrown during rituals. For those unable to attend in person, the tournament will be broadcast internationally through BBC Sport, Pluto TV, and the JSA’s official YouTube channel, making the event accessible to a global audience.
Tickets, Schedule & Fan Information
Tickets range from £50 to £150+, with premium seats offering the closest view of the ring. The Japan Society is holding giveaways for the Saturday, October 18, session. Merchandise, including wrestler handprints (tegata), fan towels, and banzuke (official rankings scrolls) will be available for purchase. While sumo has deep roots in Japanese tradition, its presence in London is a sign of the sport’s evolving international reach. As more global audiences become familiar with the rich pageantry and intense competition of sumo, events like this aim to strengthen cultural ties and expand appreciation for this ancient art form.
For fans in the UK, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The last time sumo came to London was in 1991, and with no guarantees of a return soon, the 2025 London Grand Sumo Tournament is set to be a truly unforgettable event.