Heisei 8 Winter Regional Tour: Grand Sumo Nishinomiya Tournament

The 'Grand Sumo Nishinomiya Tournament' will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2026, at Life Partner Arena – Hyogo Prefectural Comprehensive Sports Center.

This regional tour offers a unique opportunity to experience sumo up close. From sumo beginners to long-time fans, visitors can enjoy a wide range of special events.

In addition to official bouts, the event features exclusive performances such as 'Hair-tying Demonstration,' where you can watch popular rikishi having their iconic 'oichonmage' topknots styled—a sight not available at official tournaments. The 'Hajikime' demonstration humorously showcases forbidden moves and rare winning techniques, providing plenty of laughs. Fans can also enjoy handshake sessions with popular rikishi and photo opportunities—unique interactions only possible during regional tours.

【Event Overview】

Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2026 (Reiwa 8)

Opening: 9:00 AM　End (Closing Ceremony): 14:30 (tentative)

Venue: Life Partner Arena – Hyogo Prefectural Comprehensive Sports Center

(1-16-8 Naruo-hama, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo 663-8142)

Organizer: Grand Sumo Nishinomiya Tournament Executive Committee

Sponsored by: Hyogo Prefecture, Nishinomiya City

Cooperation: Hyogo Sports Life Group

【Event Program】

09:00　Doors Open / Public Practice

11:30　Lower Division Matches / Hair-tying, Hajikime, Sumo Chanting, Taiko Drumming

13:00　Makuuchi and Yokozuna Ring Entering Ceremony / Makuuchi Matches

14:30　Yumitori-shiki (Bow Twirling Ceremony) / Closing Ceremony

*Schedule is subject to change.

【Ticket Prices (Including Tax)】

Seat Tickets

Tamari S Seat – ¥18,000 (per person / includes commemorative seat cushion for Nishinomiya Tournament)

Tamari A Seat – ¥17,000 (per person / includes commemorative seat cushion)

Pair Mass Seat – ¥32,000 (for 2 people / includes tour seat cushion)

Stand IS S Seat – ¥15,000 (per person)

Arena IS S Seat – ¥15,000 (per person)

Arena Wheelchair Seat – ¥32,000 (for 2 people including 1 attendant / includes on-site parking) *Available only through the Grand Sumo Tour Ticket Office

2nd Floor IS A Seat – ¥8,500 (per person)

2nd Floor IS B Seat – ¥7,000 (per person)

*Pair Mass and Wheelchair Seats are sold in sets of two.

*First-floor seating is strictly no-shoes. Please bring slippers.

*All attendees, including infants, require a seat on the first floor. (Preschool children are prohibited from entering Tamari S Seats for safety reasons.)

*Children under 4 may sit on laps for free only on the 2nd floor. (A seat is required for a fee if needed.)

*Stand IS S Seats are stepped but do not have backrests.

*Arena IS S Seats have backrests but are on a flat surface.

*2nd-floor guests are not permitted to enter the 1st-floor arena.

Gift Set Tickets

Yokozuna Gift Ticket with Bento – ¥6,000 (includes 4 sumo souvenirs, special bento, tea, pamphlet)

Sekiwake Gift Ticket with Bento – ¥4,000 (includes 3 sumo souvenirs, special bento, tea, pamphlet)

Sujo Gift Ticket with Bento – ¥4,000 (includes 1 bath salt, 1 hand & nail cream (color not selectable), special bento, tea, pamphlet)

Bento Ticket with Pamphlet – ¥2,500 (includes special bento, tea, pamphlet)

*Gift and bento tickets are available only via advance reservation. No on-site sales.

*Redeem at the venue exchange counter between 10:30 and 14:30 on the day.

*Entry is not permitted with bento or gift tickets alone. (Seat tickets must be purchased separately.)

*The bento contents are identical across all ticket types.

Additional goods will be sold on-site. (Cash only at venue.)

【Inquiries】

Tour and Tickets

Grand Sumo Tour Ticket Office [TEL] 0570-05-3366 (10:00–17:00)

【Ticket Sales】

Advance Sales

【In-Person Sales】

Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Koshien, 2F Butterfly Court

July 4 (Sat) – 5 (Sun), 10:00–17:00

Numbered queue tickets will be distributed at the following locations and times:

*Before opening: 9:30 at 1F Mountain Breeze

*After opening: 10:10 at 2F Butterfly Court

【Telephone Sales】

〈Phone Reservations〉 0570-06-5566

July 4 (Sat) – 5 (Sun) (Operator available 10:00–17:00)

General Sales

From 10:00 on July 11 (Sat) at all ticketing agencies

【Ticketing Agencies】

PIA (P Code: 866-770)

〈WEB〉 https://w.pia.jp/t/sumo-nishinomiya/

〈Stores〉 Inside Seven-Eleven

Lawson Ticket (L Code: 58128)

〈WEB〉 https://l-tike.com/sports/

〈Stores〉 Inside Lawson and Mini Stop

e+ (Eplus)

〈WEB〉 https://eplus.jp/sumo-nishinomiya/

〈Stores〉 Inside FamilyMart

Life Partner Arena Hyogo Prefectural Comprehensive Sports Center

〈Box Office〉 9:00–20:00

*Closed every Monday (or the following day if Monday is a holiday)

*Cash only

*Parking may be congested depending on venue usage

Grand Sumo Tour Ticket Office

〈Phone Reservations〉 0570-05-3366 (Operator available 10:00–17:00)

*Wheelchair seat applicants must apply via the Grand Sumo Tour Ticket Office from July 13 (Mon) onward.

【Official Website: Reiwa 8 Winter Tour – Grand Sumo Nishinomiya Tournament】

More details available here.

Latest updates and news will be posted.

https://www.nishinomiya.lme-sumo-jungyo.jp/