Sumo wrestling is not a popular sport outside of Japan, but it has grown in popularity worldwide in the last few decades. You may have heard about sumo wrestling, and you may have watched it on tv, but have you ever seen it in person? If you're new to the sport, this post will tell you about ordering tickets, a little bit of what to expect, and an overview of the upcoming Japan sumo wrestling season 2021.

The Tournament Dates

There will be several opportunities in Japan throughout 2021 to attend a sumo wrestling match tournament. The 'New Year Basho' will be the first sumo wrestling tournament in 2021 and is expected to kick off on January 10th, 2021, and end by January 24th, 2021. Below are the dates for the upcoming sumo wrestling seasons in Japan:

• New Year Basho (January 10th, 2021 - January 24th, 2021)

• Spring Basho (March 14th, 2021 - March 28th, 2021)

• Summer Basho (May 09th, 2021 - May 23rd, 2021)

• Nagoya Basho (July 11th, 2021 - July 25th, 2021)

• Autumn Basho (September 12th, 2021 - September 26th, 2021)

• Kyushu Basho (November 08th, 2021 - November 22nd, 2021)

Locations

Below are the locations for each season of sumo wrestling in Japan and their respective sumo-wrestling tournaments.

Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo (New Year Basho)

Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka (Spring Basho)

Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo (Summer Basho)

Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Nagoya (Nagoya Basho)

Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo (Autumn Basho)

Fukuoka Kokusai Center, Tokyo (Kyushu Basho)

Prices and How to Book Tickets Online

You need to buy your tickets in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles and to get the best seat options. Tickets sell out fast! Here is where you can buy online tickets. 

The prices vary according to seats, days, and the venue, with the ring-side seats starting at 20,000 yen approximately. Here is where you can check the prices.

What to Expect As a First-Time Sumo-Wrestling Attendee

1. Keep in mind that the online transaction includes booking your tickets via credit card. The tickets themselves will have to be picked up when you attend the tournament.

2. Booking ahead will also give you a choice for the best type of seat. For instance, in Ryogoku Kokugikan, you can choose from Japanese style ring-side seats, box seats, or arena chairs. Sometimes there are opportunities to purchase standing room only tickets last minute. Keep in mind, the closer you are to the action, the higher the risk of a wrestler falling in your direction.  

3. If you don't want to spend the entire day watching the match, you can go between 2 - 4 pm, when the top sumo-wrestlers are usually wrestling. However, the usual schedule for a sumo-wrestling show in Japan starts at 8 am and usually lasts till 6 pm.

4. Something else to keep in mind is the venue's accessibility by public transportation. For example, you can easily reach the Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium by public transport, cutting down transportation costs.