A professional sumo exhibition tournament began in Paris on June 13, marking the first such event in the city in approximately 30 years [1].
The tournament serves as a cornerstone of the Japan Sumo Association’s global outreach strategy. By bringing the sport to Europe, the association aims to showcase Japan’s national sport to an international audience and revive a historical connection with French fans.
The event, which runs from June 13 to June 14, 2026 [2], utilizes a knockout format to determine the winner. The scale of the exhibition is significant, featuring Yokozuna Ōnosato, Toyoshoryu, and almost all makuuchi-ranked wrestlers [3]. This high level of participation ensures that the highest tier of the sport is represented on the global stage.
Attendance for the opening day was high, with more than 10,000 spectators filling the arena [1]. The crowd's enthusiasm was evident in the reactions of local supporters. One anonymous French sumo fan said, "I am a big fan of Toyoshoryu and have always supported him. I am very happy that he is in France this weekend" [4].
Competition on the opening day culminated in a high-stakes final. Kotogakura defeated Kirishima using a yorikiri technique to secure the victory [1]. The match highlighted the technical precision of the sport for a crowd that has not seen a professional tournament of this magnitude in decades.
Preparations for the event included careful coordination between the wrestlers and their stables. Regarding the logistics and readiness of the participants, Toyoshoryu’s stablemaster, Takanonami, said, "I think it will be okay" [5].
“The first such event in the city in approximately 30 years.”
The return of professional sumo to Paris signifies a strategic shift by the Japan Sumo Association to diversify its audience beyond domestic borders. By deploying nearly the entire makuuchi rank and both yokozuna, the association is treating the French market as a primary hub for European expansion. The high attendance suggests a latent demand for traditional Japanese sports in France, potentially paving the way for more frequent international exhibitions.
