This article should be subtitled, “always check your spam folder.” Sumo and Sushi is coming to the US this Fall! Apparently the presale date, June 24, has come and gone for the first four of the next tour dates. Justin had mentioned it to me a while ago but I had not gotten the memo and it had slipped by without notice.
Well, I guess I did get the memo. Oops.
The cities have been announced though specific venue details have not, except the San Francisco show will be at the Palace of Fine Arts in November. Dates have been announced for these first four tour stops, as we see below. The first is Chicago in Mid-October with Phoenix, LA, and San Fran following. There is also a whole raft of other proposed cities on the docket: DC, Miami, ATL, NYC, Nashville, and Bellvue, WA. No dates for those, so I wonder if they will slip to 2026 as we’re already in…checks notes…July.
The full slate of wrestlers does not appear to be known, either. It looks like Otani is back for more, which is great. Folks will remember Otani as one of Hakuho’s highly tauted recruits but he retired soon after the whole Hokuseiho scandal fallout. We enjoyed seeing him at last year’s DC tour event and he seemed to be enjoying himself here leaving all that drama in the rearview. He was also requested pretty frequently by folks who wanted to get in the ring and wrestle. Glad to see him listed here.
The website promises, “More Wrestlers Coming Soon.” There are several names that come to mind, immediately, as newly available free agents who are interested in spreading the word about sumo. But enough fantasy. I know Justin and I have our eyes open for the DC announcement. I’ve been wondering when that will come and I will post it when we notice. The two of us are aiming to be Front Row with our wives. I think I’ll get back in the ring next time. I missed doing it last year.
I must say, this little note at the bottom of their page is a reminder of just how f’ed up things can be sometimes. “There are several fake Sumo events using our brand and imagery that have zero affiliation with our company or production. Please be advised that our website is the ONLY place you can purchase legitimate Sumo + Sushi tickets and experience the real event. This website is the only location we will announce legitimate shows or tour dates. Please email us at events@seproductions.us for any questions or concerns.”
That shit’s just jacked up. If you see anything that looks fake, let the folks know. It’s kinda sad that you have to be on your guard like this. But if you want to see Konishiki and real sumo wrestlers, the official source will be only their site. Don’t get scammed. Anyway, I’ll keep folks apprised of things when I see updates.
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If you want to go but are short on cash, check the website for volunteer opportunities/work exchange. It’s a long shift, but when I did it a couple years ago, they fed you and let you see the show and gave you a T shirt. I checked tickets/gave armbands and did assorted other stuff (filled cups with wasabi peas, managed the photo line) and then got to see the later show. I cheered loudly for everyone who wasn’t the evil Taka twin.
So I’ve been curious since seeing the ads. You sumo diehards and mega fans who have been to real basho’s and tour events have found the show worthwhile attending? It’s billed as an introduction to the sport and I’ve seen some pretty mediocre reviews. I trust your opinions. What’s the skinny?
Two sumo events scheduled by a different company for July in LA and August in New Jersey were cancelled recently, with the organizers stating that they were unable to secure visas for much of their intended roster of Japanese participants. That group had secured Hiro Morita to be the MC, and John Gunning had also spoken favourably of the American people involved with the project, so the cancellation was quite the surprise. With the incomplete announced lineup just three months out I wonder if S&S is going to have talent issues, too.
Sorry, San Diego rather than LA.
Oh, man! That’s a great point and a serious bummer. Thank you for the insight, as always.