Highlights
- The first-ever Nagoya basho at the new IG Arena, replacing the old Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium
- Top-division (makuuchi) bouts climaxing each afternoon from around 15:30
- The dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony and yokozuna grand champion's solo ritual
Background & story
Grand sumo, Japan's national sport with roots in Shinto ritual, holds six 15-day tournaments a year; the July basho has been Nagoya's summer fixture for decades and moved to the new IG Arena in 2025.
The 2026 Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament runs July 12-26, 2026 at IG Arena in Nagoya, Aichi (as of this writing the tournament is in its final days, with the final day on July 26). The summer tournament has been a Nagoya fixture for decades, moving to the new 17,000-seat IG Arena in 2025 after decades at the old Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
The top-division (makuuchi) bouts build to their peak around 3:30pm daily, with the ring-entering ceremonies -- including the yokozuna's solo dohyo-iri -- among the highlights. Day-of tickets are scarce, so booking online in advance is the safer route; morning sessions (lower-ranked bouts) have more open seats if you want to arrive early and watch the arena fill up through the afternoon.
Six honbasho are held each year, and Nagoya's is the traditional July tournament.
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Planning around the sumo calendar? All six 2027 tournaments, seat types and how ticket sales work: Grand Sumo 2027 — full schedule & tickets.
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- A 2-minute walk from Meijo Koen Station on the Meijo subway line; about 20 minutes from Nagoya Station. Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Check tickets and details on the official page (button above).
- Paying
- Tickets required. Arena chair seats start from about ¥3,500; ringside and box (masu) seats cost more. Buy via the official Japan Sumo Association ticket site.. Smaller venues in Japan are often cash-first — carry some yen (cards/IC not guaranteed).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, groups of friends
Good to know
Lower-division bouts start in the morning when seats are empty and easy to find; arrive early, then watch the top division fill the arena from mid-afternoon. Same-day tickets are limited, so book online ahead.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the 2026 Nagoya sumo tournament?
- July 12-26, 2026, at IG Arena in Nagoya, Aichi (as of this writing the tournament is in its final days).
Getting there
IG Arena (Aichi International Arena) — 1-1 Sannomaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi (Meijo Park)