Sumo and Sushi rolls into Chicago featuring legendary wrestler Konishiki

Chicagoans will soon get the chance to watch Japan’s national sport up close, without booking a flight to Tokyo. Sumo + Sushi is making its way into town, promising an evening of hard-hitting tradition and world-class food.

Sumo + Sushi is coming to The Fields Studios at 4120 W. Diversey Ave. Audiences can choose from two weekends of events: Oct. 10–12 and Oct. 16–18, 2025. While most sessions are for customers 21 and older, the Sunday matinee on Oct. 12 opens the doors to all ages, giving families a rare chance to experience the traditions of sumo together.

The star of the show is Konishiki, a former sumo wrestler who made history as the first foreign-born athlete to reach ōzeki, the sport’s second-highest rank. Throughout his career, he won three championships in the top division. These days, he splits his time between performing Hawaiian music and running the Konishiki Kids Foundation, which helps children in Hawaii connect with Japanese culture.

Read more at Chicago Star

• New “kids” on the block steal the show at Lincoln Park Zoo
• Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour hits Berning Family Farms, Prairie Grove
• Oprah Winfrey’s former Water Tower Place condo hits market
• Marcus “the profit” Lemonis takes his Chicago profits, runs

“This is the most genuine way to learn about sumo from someone who lived and breathed it,” organizers said when announcing the Chicago stop.

Let’s be clear, this isn’t a full tournament like the ones in Japan. Instead, it’s a showcase: demonstrations of rituals, techniques, and matches, with Konishiki narrating the traditions that go back centuries. The drama of the standoff, the roar of the clash, the salt toss before a bout, you’ll see it all.

Then there’s the food. Ticket levels range from simple “Show Only” seats with snack and drink options to packages that include sushi bento boxes served right at your table. The front row comes with extras: an upgraded bento, a drink, and a photo op with the wrestlers. For those wanting the best view in the house, the VIP Sky Suite offers hand-rolled sushi from a private chef, an open bar, and a bird’s-eye perspective of the ring.

Shows run about two hours. Seating is assigned upon arrival, and groups must purchase the same ticket type to sit together. ADA seating is available; however, organizers recommend submitting requests early.

Sumo isn’t just a sport; it’s a living piece of Japanese culture. Having someone like Konishiki, who broke barriers inside the ring and has spent decades teaching others about the sport, makes this event more than a spectacle. It’s a cultural exchange, paired with sushi and a bit of Chicago flair.

As Konishiki has said, his mission is simple: to share sumo with the world. Chicago’s chance to step into that world is just around the corner.