London to Host Historic Sumo Tournament After 34 Years

The Royal Albert Hall will welcome Japan's top wrestlers for a five-day event in October 2025, marking only the second official basho held outside Japan.

The London Grand Sumo Tournament will run from October 15-19, 2025, featuring 40 top-tier wrestlers from Japan's makuuchi division.
This marks the first official sumo tournament outside Japan since 2005 and the second ever at the Royal Albert Hall, following a sold-out event in 1991.
Organizers aim to showcase the rich tradition, culture, and rituals of sumo, including salt-throwing ceremonies and hand-embroidered kesho-mawashi robes.
The event celebrates the Japan Sumo Association's centenary and will include cultural exhibitions such as Kabuki theater alongside the matches.
Hakkaku Rijicho, chairman of the Japan Sumo Association and the 1991 tournament champion, expressed excitement about bringing the sport's heritage back to London.