The Grand Sumo Tournament
Royal Albert Hall, London | 15th - 19th Oct 2025
The Royal Albert Hall will be the site of a unique cultural and sporting event: a professional Sumo wrestling tournament. For five days, the venue will be transformed to replicate an authentic Sumo arena, featuring a traditional dohyō constructed of clay and sand, and a roof reminiscent of a Shinto shrine.
Attendees will have the opportunity to witness elite maku-uchi rikishi, the highest-ranked Sumo wrestlers from Japan, as they compete. Over 40 athletes will showcase their skills, demonstrating the techniques and traditions of this ancient sport. The event will highlight the rich cultural aspects of Sumo, including the elaborate kesho-mawashi ceremonial robes and the ritualistic salt-throwing ceremony performed before each match.
The tournament will feature a display of athleticism, strategy, and power, as the rikishi engage in matches using a variety of techniques. Spectators will have the chance to observe the culmination of years of training and discipline, and experience the intensity and tradition of Sumo wrestling firsthand.