Professional sumo revolves around six honbasho (grand tournaments) a year, held in odd-numbered months in four cities. Between them, wrestlers rest, train and tour the provinces. If your trip to Japan is flexible, timing it with a tournament is the best way to see the sport — and if your dates fall in November, Fukuoka is the place to be.
2026 tournament dates
| Tournament | City | Venue | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| January (Hatsu Basho) | Tokyo | Ryogoku Kokugikan | 11–25 January 2026 |
| March (Haru Basho) | Osaka | Edion Arena Osaka | 8–22 March 2026 |
| May (Natsu Basho) | Tokyo | Ryogoku Kokugikan | 10–24 May 2026 |
| July (Nagoya Basho) | Nagoya | IG Arena | 12–26 July 2026 |
| September (Aki Basho) | Tokyo | Ryogoku Kokugikan | 13–27 September 2026 |
| November (Kyushu Basho) | Fukuoka | Fukuoka Kokusai Center | 8–22 November 2026 |
2027 tournament dates
| Tournament | City | Dates | Banzuke | Tickets on sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Tokyo | 10–24 January 2027 | 21 December 2026 | 5 December 2026 |
| March | Osaka | 14–28 March 2027 | 1 March 2027 | 6 February 2027 |
| May | Tokyo | 9–23 May 2027 | 26 April 2027 | 10 April 2027 |
| July | Nagoya | 11–25 July 2027 | 28 June 2027 | 15 May 2027 |
| September | Tokyo | 12–26 September 2027 | 30 August 2027 | 7 August 2027 |
| November | Fukuoka | 14–28 November 2027 | 1 November 2027 | 18 September 2027 |
Official schedule of the Japan Sumo Association. Ticket sale dates are the start of the general advance sale; lottery presales usually take place a few weeks earlier.
Fukuoka vs Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya
| Fukuoka (Nov) | Tokyo (Jan, May, Sep) | Osaka (Mar) | Nagoya (Jul) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venue size | Compact hall | The largest, about 11,000 seats | Medium | New arena (opened 2025) |
| Atmosphere | Intimate, end-of-year stakes | The « home » of sumo, museum on site | Lively, festive | Modern, summer heat outside |
| Tickets | Very hard, no same-day sale in 2026 | Very hard | Hard | Hard |
| Combine with | Yatai, Dazaifu, Beppu, Nagasaki | Ryogoku stables, practice tours | Kyoto, Nara | Ise, Takayama |
No tournament during your trip?
- In Fukuoka, any month: the sumo show with chanko-nabe lunch at Hakata Sumo Beya, with a chance to step into the ring.
- In Tokyo, between tournaments: morning practice in a Ryogoku stable, often with a guide; visit the Sumo Museum at the Kokugikan.
- On tour (jungyo): in spring, summer, autumn and December, wrestlers tour regional cities for exhibition events — check the Japan Sumo Association’s calendar.
See all sumo experiences in Japan →
Why choose the November tournament?
The Kyushu Basho is the last chance of the year to secure a promotion, and the final banzuke of the year is decided here. November is also one of the best months to visit Kyushu: dry, mild, autumn leaves. And Fukuoka is a fantastic food city. Read our complete guide to the Kyushu Basho 2026 and our Fukuoka in November itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
How many sumo tournaments are there per year?
Six official tournaments (honbasho): three in Tokyo (January, May, September), one in Osaka (March), one in Nagoya (July) and one in Fukuoka (November).
When is the next sumo tournament in Fukuoka?
The Kyushu Basho runs from 8 to 22 November 2026. The next one is scheduled for 14–28 November 2027.
When do 2027 sumo tickets go on sale?
For the Fukuoka tournament, on 18 September 2027. The January 2027 Tokyo tournament goes on sale on 5 December 2026.
How long does a sumo tournament last?
Fifteen days, from a Sunday to the Sunday two weeks later.
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