How do sumo tournaments work?
I · Intermediate · Officials and tournaments · 4 of 4Professional sumo has six tournaments a year, each 15 days: three in Tokyo and one each in Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. Rikishi in the top two divisions fight once a day; lower divisions fight on seven days. The best record in the top division wins the Emperor's Cup. The banzuke ranking sheet is revised after each tournament.
How it works
- Tournaments: six a year.
- Length: 15 days.
- Top two divisions: a bout a day.
- Lower divisions: seven bouts.
- Winner: best top-division record.
- Prize: Emperor's Cup.
- Special prizes: three, need eight wins.
- Banzuke: revised each tournament.
The glossary has the basho, the banzuke, the tournament days, the championship, the kantosho and the kachi-koshi.
Tricky cases
Do east and west rikishi form teams?
No.
Who can win a special prize?
A rikishi with at least eight wins.
When do the yokozuna fight?
In the last bouts of each day.
How does a rikishi move up?
On their tournament record, as the banzuke is revised.
Why the rule exists
Fifteen bouts over fifteen days give a fair test of each rikishi's form.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Daily | J p3 |
| Lower | Seven days | J p4 |
| Prizes | Eight wins | J p3 |
From the rule book
Japan Sumo Association, Sumo (introduction booklet), pages 3, 4 and 8. Checked 15 October 2026. Official documents: JSA Sumo booklet and IFS Regulations on Refereeing 2024.