How to Buy Sumo Tournament Tickets: Seats, Timing and Tips

Grand sumo tournaments are held in Tokyo three times a year, and this guide explains how tickets are sold, which seats exist and how to plan the day.

Published October 20, 2026 at 12:56 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Grand sumo has six tournaments a year, and Tokyo hosts three of them, in January, May and September, at Ryogoku Kokugikan. Tickets are ordered by phone or online through the official ticket site linked from the Japan Sumo Association's English page. Choose between box seats (masu-seki) and chair seats, and check the official schedule for each tournament's sale date.

How the tournament calendar works

Grand sumo is organized into six main tournaments a year, called honbasho. The Wikipedia article on sumo explains that Tokyo hosts the January, May and September tournaments, with Osaka in March, Nagoya in July and Fukuoka in November. Each tournament runs for 15 days, begins on a Sunday and ends on a Sunday, and falls roughly in the middle of the month.

The Japan Sumo Association publishes an official schedule that lists each tournament's dates, venue, ticket sale date and the date the ranking list (banzuke) is announced. For example, the schedule lists the January 2027 tournament as running from January 10 to 24 at the Kokugikan, with tickets on sale from December 5, 2026. Dates can change, so read the official schedule page before you plan flights or hotels.

Where the Tokyo tournaments are held

Tokyo tournaments take place at Ryogoku Kokugikan, an arena in the Yokoami area of Sumida Ward next to Ryogoku Station. According to Wikipedia, the current arena opened in January 1985 and was planned with a seating capacity of 11,098. The building has a movable ring and first-floor seating so that the floor can be used for other events when sumo is not on.

The official Go Tokyo guide to the Ryogoku district calls sumo Japan's national sport and says three tournaments are held in the area each year. Many training stables are also in the neighborhood, so wrestlers may be seen walking around the district. The guide notes that some stables allow visitors to watch morning practice but that the conditions are strict, so anyone interested needs to research access carefully.

How to buy tickets

The Japan Sumo Association's English ticket page says tickets are ordered by phone or online through the official ticket site, called Ticket Oozumo, which has an English version. The page asks buyers to check the tournament schedule first to confirm dates and the date tickets go on sale. A handling fee is charged, and the page links to a document that lists regular ticket fees.

Because sale dates differ for each tournament, mark the date in your calendar. The official schedule shows that sales usually start several weeks before a tournament opens: for the May 2027 tournament, which begins May 9, tickets are listed as going on sale on April 10. Popular days, especially weekends and the final days, may sell out quickly, so buying on the first day of sale is wise if a particular date matters to you.

Seat types in general terms

The association's page describes two main seat types. Masu-seki are box seats, Japanese-style boxes where you sit directly on the floor, and each box fits four people. Arena seats, also called chair seats, are similar to the seats in a typical sports stadium. Chair seats may suit visitors who find sitting on the floor tiring for several hours.

The page lists approximate prices by seat category, with box seats priced per box and chair seats priced per seat, and with different prices for weekdays and for weekends and holidays. Box seats are priced in the tens of thousands of yen per box and chair seats in the thousands of yen per seat, but prices may vary by venue and change over time, so check the current official page and fee document. The arena map for the May 2026 tournament also shows premium seat areas.

What to know once you are inside

The official arena map explains some practical points for box seats. Each box has a numbered door, and guests should use the door printed on their ticket. Shoes go into a storage space behind the seat, and umbrellas can go there too. The map also shows an entrance hall with an information desk, coin lockers and a cloakroom, a stand for chanko-nabe (the hearty stew associated with sumo wrestlers), souvenir shops, a baby care room and stroller areas.

The map also asks for quiet during the tachiai, the initial charge at the start of each bout. That is a simple etiquette point to follow: be ready to settle just before a bout begins, keep your voice down while the wrestlers face off and enjoy the energy of the crowd once the bout ends. Check the arena's current rules on food, bags and photography on the official page.

Timing your arrival

The Wikipedia article on sumo explains that bouts begin in the morning with the lowest division, jonokuchi, and that the day ends at around 6 p.m. with the bouts of yokozuna, the highest rank. The top two divisions, makuuchi and juryo, are made up of wrestlers called sekitori, who wrestle once each day. The most famous wrestlers appear later in the day.

That structure helps with planning. Visitors who want a long, relaxed day can arrive in the morning to see the lower divisions, while those who mainly want to see top-division bouts can arrive later in the day. Arriving early enough to find your seat, store your shoes and look around the facilities is sensible either way. Check the official site for the daily schedule of the tournament you plan to attend, and ask staff about the current re-entry rules if you plan to step out during the day.

Sumo Museum and other tips

The Sumo Museum is on the first floor of the Kokugikan. The association says admission is free and that it is about a one-minute walk from JR Ryogoku Station. During a tournament, the museum is open on tournament days from 12:30 to 16:00 and a ticket is required, since you must have a ticket to enter the arena. Opening hours and closing days can change, so check the museum calendar.

A few other tips help. Bring both cash and a card in case a counter accepts only one, and wear comfortable clothes if you will sit on the floor. Check the official page for the most current instructions, including how to claim tickets and what identification may be needed. Family visitors can note that the arena map lists a baby care room and a diaper changing station.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sumo tournaments are held in Tokyo each year?

Three. Tokyo hosts the January, May and September tournaments at Ryogoku Kokugikan, while Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka host the others. Each tournament lasts 15 days, so the official schedule is the best place to confirm exact dates and ticket sale dates for any given year.

What is the difference between box seats and chair seats?

Box seats (masu-seki) are Japanese-style boxes where you sit directly on the floor, and each box fits four people. Chair seats are like seats in a typical sports stadium. Prices differ, and the association lists approximate prices by category, so check the official ticket page.

Where do I buy official sumo tickets?

Tickets are ordered by phone or online through the official ticket site linked from the Japan Sumo Association's English page, which has an English version. A handling fee is charged. Check the tournament schedule for the sale date before you start, and avoid unofficial sellers.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Japanese Culture and Customs is available on Amazon.

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