Sumo 2026
6 honbasho · 15 days each · 4 cities across Japan
The Honbasho System
Professional sumo holds 6 official tournaments (honbasho) per year, one every odd-numbered month, each lasting 15 consecutive days. The Japan Sumo Association (Nihon Sumō Kyōkai) has governed the sport since 1925. The top division, Makuuchi, features 42 wrestlers ranked from Yokozuna (grand champion) down through Ōzeki, Sekiwake, Komusubi, and Maegashira.
Three of the six annual tournaments take place at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo (January, May, September). The remaining three rotate through Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium (March), Aichi International Arena in Nagoya (July), and Fukuoka Kokusai Center (November). Top-division bouts run in the afternoon, with the final matches typically finishing around 18:00 JST.
How a Tournament Works
Each rikishi (wrestler) competes once per day across all 15 days. A wrestler with more wins than losses earns a kachi-koshi (winning record), which determines promotion or demotion in the rankings for the following tournament. The wrestler with the best record wins the Emperor's Cup. If two or more wrestlers tie, a playoff bout decides the champion.
What time does sumo start in my timezone? Makuuchi bouts begin around 16:00 Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+9). That translates to 07:00 GMT in London, 02:00 EST in New York, and 17:00 AEST in Sydney. All times on this page auto-convert to your local timezone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sumo tournaments are there in 2026?
The 2026 professional sumo season has 6 honbasho (official tournaments), held every odd-numbered month across four cities in Japan.
How long does a sumo tournament last?
Each honbasho runs for 15 consecutive days. Top-division bouts take place in the afternoon, typically from 15:00 to 18:00 JST.
What time do sumo tournaments start in my timezone?
All tournament times on this page are automatically converted to your local timezone using your browser settings.
Where are sumo tournaments held?
Three tournaments are held at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo (January, May, September). The others rotate through Osaka (March), Nagoya (July), and Fukuoka (November).