ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 1, 2026--

A line-up of Sumo Champions, bringing together a combined 65 years of professional Japanese sumo experience, will face off in a round robin competition featuring 36 rapid fire bouts at Space42 Arena on 26 September.

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Sumo Champions HIROKI (250 kg) and ICHI (230 kg) clash in ALL-STAR SUMO competition. Both have won previous ALL-STAR SUMO contests before, and they are two of the headliners (among 9 contenders) in the first ever elite sumo tournament in the Middle East.

This landmark competition will be headlined by Emperor’s Cup winner and former sekiwake ICHI, alongside 250 kg powerhouse HIROKI. The nine wrestlers bring extraordinary power, speed, intensity and balance to the ring. The competitor with the best record at the end of the evening will be crowned the inaugural All-Star Sumo Champion in Abu Dhabi.

All-Star Sumo tournaments feature wrestlers with experience at the highest levels of professional sumo. Four competitors, ICHI, HIROKI, MENDEE and ZORIG, are previous All-Star Sumo tournament champions.

The competition has been staged in cities around the world since 2014. September 26 marks its first tournament in the Middle East and the first sumo tournament of this scale in the region. Abu Dhabi, as a global hub for sports and entertainment, provides the perfect stage for a new wave of elite sumo.

Audiences will experience Japanese sumo tradition, live taiko drumming, food and beverage, and sumo souvenirs, as they witness history in the making.

Tickets are on sale now for this one-night-only event at Space42 Arena on 26 September, with VIP Meet and Greet ticket holders receiving exclusive post event access to meet and take photos with the athletes.

ALL-STAR SUMO

WHEN: Saturday, 26 September 2026
Doors: 6 PM | Start: 7 PM

WHERE: Space42 Arena
Al Raha Street, Al Raha, Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

PRESS CONFERENCE: Thursday, 24 September at Space42 Arena. Time to be announced.

ALL-STAR SUMO in Abu Dhabi is being hosted by Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with USA Sumo and Space42 Arena.

MORE INFO

* ALL-STAR SUMO
* TICKETS
* VIDEO

View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260831883576/en/

CONTACT: All-Star Sumo:info@allstarsumo.com

Media Contact:Joanne Dagher |Joanne.d@space42arena.com

KEYWORD: ASIA PACIFIC SAUDI ARABIA UNITED ARAB EMIRATES MIDDLE EAST JAPAN

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SPORTS OTHER SPORTS WRESTLING MARTIAL ARTS TRAVEL TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

SOURCE: All-Star Sumo

Copyright Business Wire 2026.

PUB: 09/01/2026 05:53 AM/DISC: 09/01/2026 05:53 AM

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260831883576/en