Nagoya Basho: The Grand Sumo Tournament and Nagoya's Summer Excitement

Salt scatters across the dohyo and the dull thud of wrestlers colliding echoes through the hall - the Grand Sumo Nagoya Basho is a major event that wraps summer Nagoya in excitement. Held in July as one of the six official tournaments held each year, it is the largest of the regional tournaments. The sheer power of the wrestlers seen at close range is something you can never experience watching on television.

Grand Sumo in Summer

The Nagoya Basho is held every July over 15 days at IG Arena (newly built and relocated in 2025). The fierce bouts fought in the muggy heat of midsummer have earned it the nickname "the sweat-soaked Nagoya Basho," and the fighting spirit of the wrestlers stands out all the more.

The Appeal of Watching

The tamari seats (also called sunakaburi, or "sand-covered" seats) right beside the dohyo are premium seats with tremendous impact, close enough to catch the wrestlers' expressions and even their breathing. There are also masu box seats where you can relax on tatami, and casual chair seats, so you can enjoy the tournament according to your budget. Do not miss the yumitori-shiki (bow-twirling ceremony) performed between bouts, or the yokozuna's dohyo-iri (ring-entering ceremony).

Sumo Wrestlers' Lodgings

During the tournament, wrestlers set up temporary lodgings at temples, shrines and other sites around the city. Some lodgings open their early-morning training to the public, a precious chance to see wrestlers up close. Chanko nabe is sometimes served to visitors as well.

Nagoya Sumo Gourmet

At the venue you can enjoy the famous chanko nabe, yakitori, and masu-seat bento boxes. Tournament-limited goods and tours of restaurants connected with the wrestlers are also part of the real pleasure of attending.

Tips for Watching

Tickets sell out early for the closing days of the tournament and for weekends, when the most popular bouts take place. Booking in advance is the golden rule, though a limited number of same-day tickets are also sold. Summer outdoors is fiercely hot, so remember to keep hydrated on the way to the venue.

Access

IG Arena is a short walk from Nagoyajo Station on the Nagoya Municipal Subway Meijo Line. It is about 10 minutes by subway from Nagoya Station.

Practical Information (based on the 2026 tournament)

• Dates: The July 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament ran for all 15 days from Sunday 12 July to Sunday 26 July 2026 and has already finished. The Nagoya tournament is normally held in July, so check the Japan Sumo Association website for the next dates
• Opening times: Day 1 to Day 12 at 8:45 / Days 13 and 14 at 10:30 / final day (senshuraku) at 10:00. The day ends around 18:00. Entrances are on the 2nd floor
• Venue: IG Arena (Meijo, Kita Ward, Nagoya)
• Nearest station: Right by Exit 4 of Meijo-koen Station on the Nagoya Municipal Subway Meijo Line. At busy times, use of Joshin Station on the Tsurumai Line is also announced (about a 20-minute walk from Joshin Station)
• Parking: IG Arena has no parking for general visitors. There is also no drop-off area where you can get in or out of a vehicle. During the tournament period (July 11-26), parking is prohibited all day on the northbound lanes of Otsu-dori only, and all day on the road on the north side of IG Arena. A temporary taxi stand is set up on the south side of the venue, but from 17:30 to 19:00 taxi-hailing apps cannot dispatch cars around the venue
• Tickets (tax included, admission only): Tamari seat 20,000 yen (all days) / 4-person Masu S box 60,000 yen (all days) / 4-person Masu A box 52,000 yen weekends and holidays, 48,000 yen weekdays / 4-person Masu B box 44,000 yen weekends and holidays, 40,000 yen weekdays / 4-person Masu C box 40,000 yen weekends and holidays, 36,000 yen weekdays / Chair S seat with lounge 20,000 yen weekends and holidays, 19,000 yen weekdays / Chair A seat with lounge 19,000 yen weekends and holidays, 18,000 yen weekdays / Box chair seat with lounge 32,000 yen weekends and holidays, 31,000 yen weekdays / Chair SS seat 11,000 yen weekends and holidays, 10,000 yen weekdays / Chair S seat 10,000 yen weekends and holidays, 9,000 yen weekdays / Chair A seat 8,000 yen weekends and holidays, 7,000 yen weekdays / Chair B seat 7,000 yen weekends and holidays, 6,000 yen weekdays / Chair C seat 5,000 yen weekends and holidays, 4,500 yen weekdays / Chair D seat 4,000 yen weekends and holidays, 3,500 yen weekdays / Wheelchair seat 4,000 yen weekends and holidays, 3,500 yen weekdays (one companion admitted)
• Sales period and how to get tickets: General sales ran from 10:00 on Saturday, May 16 until 17:00 on the day of each session, but all dates sold out on Friday, May 22, and no same-day tickets were sold. After that, the only way to obtain tickets is the face-value resale service on "Ticket Ozumo." The 1-person Masu A and 2-person Masu A boxes are sold only through the sumo teahouses (sumo annaijo)
• Choosing a seat: All seats are reserved; there is no unreserved seating. Masu boxes are sold by the box, measuring roughly 140cm square. Chair seats are about 50cm wide with a cup holder on the armrest. Tamari seats are limited to visitors aged 16 and over, and eating, drinking, photography, mobile phone use and bringing in floor chairs are prohibited. Children aged 4 and over need an admission ticket
• Food and shops: There are shops inside the venue selling food, drinks and alcohol, but you may not bring in your own food or drink. Sumo goods are sold at the Japan Sumo Association special shop in the sub-arena on the 1st floor (ticket holders only), and souvenirs can be bought through the sumo teahouses (advance reservation required) or at the special shop
• Facilities: A nursing room is on the 2nd-floor concourse, and baby changing beds are inside the restrooms. There is also a calm-down / cool-down room. Paid coin lockers are on the 2nd-floor open deck and inside the venue, and takkyubin parcel service and paid baggage storage are available in the 1st-floor sub-arena
• Notes: Once you enter, you cannot re-enter. The dohyo-matsuri (ring-blessing ceremony) is not open to the public. The seating areas are not barrier-free and have stairs and steps, so it is not possible to reach the seats in a wheelchair or with a walking cart. The venue is non-smoking (the only smoking area is the outdoor deck on the 2nd floor, mukoshomen side). Permanent shops are basically cashless

📚 Sources

Official Grand Sumo Nagoya Basho website (Chunichi Shimbun), Japan Sumo Association, Ticket Ozumo

*The above is based on information published by each facility and local government. Hours and fees are subject to change, so please check official sources before visiting.*