Sumo Championship League (SCL) has announced details for its first-ever events, due to take place this fall. SCL was launched earlier this year with the intention of creating a professional sumo organization with a league table and playoff format.
For its first shows, SCL has chosen to hit Texas, Illinois, and California. Here’s a breakdown of exactly where they are going and when.
- Austin, Texas, on Oct. 10 at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park
- Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 7, 2026 at Credit Union 1 Arena
- Ontario, Calif., on Dec. 19, 2026 at Toyota Arena
Tickets for these events are on sale now and are available through SCL’s official site.
“We couldn’t be more excited to launch the Sumo Championship League in Austin, a city known for its passionate sports fans and electric atmosphere. It’s the perfect way to introduce professional sumo to a new generation of audiences,” said SCL Chairman and CEO Stuart Snyder in a press release. “Fans will feel the power, the pageantry, and the sheer size and talent of these incredible athletes. We can’t wait to welcome fans to an unforgettable night of action and spectacle and begin a new lasting tradition in Austin.”
Snyder discussed SCL with Combat Press when he launched the promotion. Back then, he revealed that SCL was hoping to brand itself as the only combat sport that the whole family could enjoy together.
“It’s not only that a pure combat sports fan can come and enjoy competition, but it’s something that a dad can bring his kids to and it’s a sport that is not offensive and you can really understand that when you see it,” said Snyder.
SCL intends to use the standard rules of international amateur sumo. The goal is to present sumo through a 12-18 tournament format involving a regular openweight roster of 15-20 wrestlers. Single tournaments provide prize money and points. Points are to be used to generate a league table. The leading wrestlers on that table will go into a playoff tournament at the end of the season. The winner of the championship playoff tournament stands to win a $100,000 grand prize.
Wrestlers will also receive $1,000 in show money at each individual tournament and are eligible to win a $15,000 prize for winning any of those tournaments.
SCL has yet to announce any athletes for its roster. Snyder told Combat Press that SCL is actively recruiting from amateur sumo clubs, as well as looking to attract athletes from other sports, such as football and pro wrestling, who are interested in competing in sumo.