Japan Sumo Association raises prize money and ticket prices to fund wrestler pay hikes

The Japan Sumo Association announced at a board meeting in Ryōgoku Kokugikan that, starting in January next year, prize money for the top‑division (makuuchi) champion will double from ¥10 million to ¥20 million. Increases also apply to lower‑rank prize awards and monthly salaries: yokozuna will receive an extra ¥30,000 per month (¥330,000 total), ōzeki ¥25,000 (¥275,000), and other sekitori similarly. The adjustments, the first in more than three decades, aim to improve wrestlers’ overall remuneration and related allowances.

The same meeting approved higher admission fees for the Tokyo and Osaka tournaments, with all seat categories seeing price hikes. The additional revenue will be directed toward the wrestlers’ treatment improvements, health management, and maintenance of the venues. These financial changes collectively seek to boost the attractiveness of professional sumo for athletes and fans alike.