The Grand Sumo Tournament is currently taking place in London, representing a rare international showcase of Japan’s national sport. Held at the Royal Albert Hall from October 15 to 19, 2025, this event marks only the second time a full professional sumo competition has been staged outside Japan.
Over 40 elite wrestlers from Japan’s top division have traveled to London, bringing with them the 1,500-year-old traditions of sumo, which blend athletic competition with Shinto rituals. Before each bout, ceremonies are performed to purify the ring and ward off evil spirits, highlighting the sport’s deep cultural roots. The wrestlers, known as rikishi, compete in a raised clay ring called a dohyo, with matches decided when one is forced out or touches the ground with anything but the soles of their feet.
Organizers from the Japan Sumo Association, led by chairman Hakkaku Rijicho, chose London to promote cultural exchange and capitalize on rising global interest in sumo. Hakkaku, who won the 1991 tournament in London, has a personal attachment to the city, citing its history and culture as key factors. This sentimental return aims to convey the appeal of sumo as an ancient Japanese tradition to a wider audience.
The Royal Albert Hall previously hosted sumo in 1991, the first time the sport was held outside Japan. Since then, only occasional exhibition matches have occurred abroad, such as in Paris, making this five-day tournament a significant milestone in sumo’s globalization. The event required years of planning, with discussions between Hakkaku and promoter Martin Campbell-White spanning nearly a decade.
Among the competitors are top-ranked wrestlers like yokozuna (grand champions) Hoshoryu Tomokatsu and Onosato Daiki. Onosato, at 25, is the first Japanese wrestler to achieve yokozuna status since 2017, fueling a resurgence in the sport’s popularity. His emergence has drawn renewed attention to sumo, both in Japan and internationally, with tickets for the London event selling out quickly.
Sumo bouts are deceptively simple in objective but involve complex techniques, with 82 recognized winning moves ranging from forceful shoves to judo-like throws. There are no weight classes, so matches often feature wrestlers of vastly different sizes, adding to the unpredictability and excitement. The sport’s rigid ranking system means wrestlers’ performances in this tournament will directly impact their future standings and privileges.
Extensive logistical preparations were necessary to host the event, including reinforcing toilets and sourcing chairs capable of supporting up to 200kg to accommodate the wrestlers’ substantial builds. Organizers also faced challenges like securing massive food supplies, with wrestlers consuming high-calorie meals like chankonabe stew to maintain their weight. The Royal Albert Hall was transformed with a custom-built clay ring and overhead roof to recreate an authentic sumo environment.
Wrestlers, who live communally in training stables in Japan, have been exploring London during their visit, with many expressing interest in local landmarks and culture. Despite the chilly weather, they have enjoyed sightseeing at places like Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade, with some noting the novelty of British traditions. The event’s success could lead to more international tournaments, with plans already announced for a sumo competition in Paris in 2026, further expanding the sport’s global footprint.