How to Buy Sumo Tickets in Japan (2027 Guide)

The simplest way to buy sumo tickets is through the Japan Sumo Association's official English site, sumo.or.jp/EnTicket, which accepts international credit cards and lists every seat type. Tickets for each of the six 2027 grand tournaments (honbasho) go on sale roughly 5–8 weeks before the tournament starts. You choose between ringside tamari-seki cushions, tatami masu-seki boxes, or Western chair seats — the cheapest and easiest for first-timers. Popular Tokyo weekends and final days sell out fast, so book early or try same-day tickets at the door.

Sumo runs six 15-day tournaments a year, always Sunday to Sunday, in four cities. For the full 2027 calendar and venue details, see our Grand Sumo 2027 schedule & tickets guide; if it's your first bout, pair this with what to expect and etiquette at a sumo tournament.

The seat types explained

Sumo seating splits into three families, from the tatami closest to the ring to Western chairs at the back. All are inside the arena with a clear view — the difference is proximity, comfort, and price.

If you're unsure, a chair seat is the stress-free choice: fixed Western seating, the widest price range, and no floor-sitting for hours.

Where to buy

You have three routes, in order of ease for overseas visitors:

• JSA official English site — sumo.or.jp/EnTicket (recommended). Accepts international cards, shows every tournament and seat tier in English, and sells at face value.
• Japanese vendors — Ticket Pia, Lawson, Seven. Face-value tickets, but the interfaces are largely Japanese and often need a local pickup.
• Resellers — Klook, Viator, GetYourGuide, JTB. Full English support and bundled packages, but you pay more than face value for the convenience.

Buy from the official site first; only fall back to resellers if your dates have already sold out.

When tickets go on sale

Advance sales open about 5–8 weeks before each tournament. The exact 2027 on-sale date is released with each honbasho, so check sumo.or.jp for the precise date rather than guessing. Tokyo weekends, the opening day, and the final days (13–15) are the first to disappear — set a reminder for the on-sale morning if you want a specific day.

Same-day tickets (tojitsu-ken)

If advance tickets are gone, don't give up. A limited number of same-day chair seats (tojitsu-ken) are sold at each venue's box office every morning, first-come, first-served, if seats remain. Your odds are best on mid-week days and at tournaments outside Tokyo (Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka). Arrive early — the queue forms before the box office opens, and lower-division bouts begin around 8:30.

What it costs

Prices vary by day and tier and rise most years, so treat the figures below as a guide only. These are approximate 2026 prices; 2027 prices are released with each tournament — confirm on sumo.or.jp (as of July 2026):

• Ringside tamari-seki: ~¥20,000 per person
• Masu boxes: ~¥9,000–15,000 per person, by tier and day
• Chair seats: ~¥3,500 (tier C, weekday) up to ~¥11,000+ (tier SS)

Because 2027 prices weren't published at the time of writing, don't lock in a fixed number — budget from these ranges and confirm the exact figure when your tournament's tickets go live.

FAQ

Where is the safest place to buy sumo tickets? The Japan Sumo Association's official English site, sumo.or.jp/EnTicket, which accepts international cards and sells at face value.

How much do sumo tickets cost? Roughly ¥3,500 for a weekday chair seat up to ~¥20,000 for ringside, with masu boxes around ¥9,000–15,000 per person (approximate 2026 prices; 2027 released per tournament — confirm on sumo.or.jp, as of July 2026).

When do 2027 sumo tickets go on sale? About 5–8 weeks before each tournament. The exact date is announced with each honbasho, so check the official site.

Can I buy sumo tickets on the day? Yes — a limited number of same-day chair seats (tojitsu-ken) are sold at the venue box office each morning, first-come, first-served. Your best odds are mid-week and at tournaments outside Tokyo.

Which seat is best for first-timers? A Western chair seat (isu-seki): it's the cheapest, easiest to book online, and gives you a backrest for the long afternoon.

Do sumo tickets sell out? Popular days — Tokyo weekends, opening day, and the final days — sell out quickly. Mid-week and non-Tokyo tournaments are much easier.

Can I eat in my seat? Yes in masu boxes and chair seats (ekiben and drinks are fine); tamari ringside cushions do not allow food, drink or photos.