Fukuoka hosts Japan’s November grand sumo tournament, traditionally known as the Kyūshū tournament.
The event is held at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center, a purpose-built indoor arena in Fukuoka. It is the sixth and final official grand tournament of the calendar year. The tournament’s name reflects Kyūshū, the major southwestern Japanese island on which Fukuoka is located, rather than a separate professional division.
The six annual tournaments rotate among four principal locations. Three are held at Tokyo’s Ryōgoku Kokugikan in January, May, and September. Osaka hosts the March tournament, Nagoya hosts the July tournament, and Fukuoka hosts the November tournament. This schedule is why the city is sometimes remembered incorrectly as the venue for a different seasonal event.
The November tournament is important in the championship race and in year-end promotion decisions. Wrestlers compete over 15 days, with daily results affecting championship honors, rank changes, and possible awards for outstanding performances.