**The short answer:** Watch for free on NHK World-Japan — daily highlights with English commentary, available on their website and app from anywhere in the UK. The Japan Sumo Association also uploads top matches to their official YouTube channel daily.
Free Ways to Watch
NHK World-Japan (Recommended)
Website: www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/sumo/
What you get:
- 27-minute daily highlights during tournaments (English commentary)
- Live broadcast at 4:30pm UK time, then available on-demand
- Live coverage on Day 1, Day 8, and Day 15 (Sundays)
- Sumopedia series explaining techniques, rules, and wrestler profiles
How to watch from the UK:
- Free streaming on the NHK World website
- NHK World app (iOS/Android/Fire TV/Roku)
- Freesat/Sky (NHK World-Japan channel)
This is confirmed working in the UK — Japan House London screens these highlights during tournaments.
Japan Sumo Association Official YouTube
Channel: youtube.com/@sumo-video
What you get:
- Top matches from each day uploaded quickly
- No commentary or replays
- Free, no geo-restrictions
Also check SUMO PRIME TIME (English-language channel by JSA) for wrestler interviews, technique explainers, and tournament previews.
2026 Grand Sumo Tournament Schedule
| Tournament | Dates | Venue | UK Highlights Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatsu Basho | Jan 11–25 | Tokyo | 4:30pm GMT |
| Haru Basho | Mar 8–22 | Osaka | 4:30pm GMT |
| Natsu Basho | May 10–24 | Tokyo | 4:30pm BST |
| Nagoya Basho | Jul 12–26 | Nagoya | 4:30pm BST |
| Aki Basho | Sep 13–27 | Tokyo | 4:30pm BST |
| Kyushu Basho | Nov 8–22 | Fukuoka | 4:30pm GMT |
Highlights air daily at 4:30pm UK time on NHK World, then uploaded to the website about a day later.
What About Other Options?
ABEMA — Full live coverage but geo-blocked to Japan. Requires VPN.
JME.tv — $25/month, primarily for US viewers. 2-hour full broadcasts with ceremony.
Unofficial streams — Various Twitch/Telegram channels exist but get regularly taken down.
Watch Sumo Live in the UK: 2026 Events
Two major sumo events are coming to the UK in summer 2026.
Tokyo Nights London — June/July 2026
An immersive dining experience at Greenwich Borough Hall combining live sumo, Sticks’n’Sushi dining, and sake. Four former professional wrestlers perform live. Tickets from £79 — 9 dates already sold out.
European Sumo Championships — 27 June 2026, Stirling, Scotland
The first time in history the European Championships have been held in Great Britain. Competitive amateur sumo with both men’s and women’s divisions. Tickets from £15. This is the event English Nationals winners qualified for.
Wrestlers to Watch in 2026
| Wrestler | Rank | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Onosato | Yokozuna | Fastest rise to yokozuna in modern history |
| Hoshoryu | Yokozuna | Nephew of Asashoryu, explosive throws |
| Kotozakura | Ozeki | Belt-grip specialist |
| Kirishima | Ozeki | Re-promoted May 2026 (won March tournament to earn promotion) |
| Aonishiki | Ozeki | Ukrainian, rapid rise through ranks |
Sumo Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Honbasho | Official tournament (6 per year) |
| Makuuchi | Top division (42 wrestlers) |
| Yokozuna | Grand Champion (highest rank) |
| Ozeki | Champion (second-highest rank) |
| Dohyo | The clay ring |
| Rikishi | Sumo wrestler |
| Yusho | Tournament championship |
Summary
To watch sumo from the UK:
- NHK World-Japan — Free, English commentary, daily highlights at 4:30pm UK time
- JSA Official YouTube — Free, top matches daily, no commentary
No VPN needed. No subscription needed.
Want to Understand Sumo in Japanese?
Learn the key terms and phrases used in sumo — from the announcer calls to wrestler interviews. Nihon GO! World offers one-off lessons tailored to sumo fans.
What you’ll learn:
- Sumo terminology (yokozuna, tachiai, kimarite, etc.)
- How to follow Japanese commentary
- Basic phrases for watching sumo in Japan
Learn the Japanese behind sumo
From yokozuna to kimarite, our certified native teachers can walk you through sumo vocabulary, Japanese culture, and beyond. Trial lesson online from £23 — no commitment.
Related Articles
- European Sumo Championships 2026: Scotland Makes History | Stirling, 27 June
- Tokyo Nights London 2026: Sumo, Sushi and Sake in One Night
- English Sumo Nationals 2026
- Best Time to Visit Japan
- First Time in Japan
Written by Ayaka Uchida — CEO of A-Digital Works, founder of Nihon GO! World.