Featured image credit: Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall has announced that the Japanese sport of sumo will return to the UK for the first time in over three decades.
The Grand Sumo Tournament will be organised in partnership with the Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) and will take place at the Royal Albert Hall from October 15-19, 2025.
Tickets for the event will be available to purchase from early 2025. The event will feature a full complement of sumo wrestlers from Japan’s top-level division.
The Royal Albert Hall last hosted a sumo event in 1991.
James Ainscough, chief executive of the Royal Albert Hall, said: “It’s a true honour for the Royal Albert Hall to be the only venue to ever host a sumo basho outside Japan. This will be a historic occasion, and an incredible week of sport, athleticism, and culture. We can’t wait to share the rich heritage of this ancient sport with the British public, 34 years after we last hosted it.”
Hakkaku Rijicho, chairman of the Japan Sumo Association and winner of the 1991 tournament, added: “I feel great joy and a strong sense of responsibility to be able to take part in the London Grand Sumo Tournament once again as chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, which I participated in as an active Yokozuna 34 years ago.
“I will be making every effort to convey to the people of London the appeal of sumo, an ancient traditional Japanese culture, and to ensure that everyone enjoys the event to their heart’s content. I look forward to meeting many of you there.”
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