After captivating Londoners with their presence on city streets, indulging in Guinness, and necessitating the procurement of sturdier 200kg-capacity chairs, the stars of Sumo wrestling took center stage at the Royal Albert Hall, leaving no one disappointed with their impressive display.

Arriving in London on Wednesday morning, the wrestlers were in town for the historic Grand Sumo Tournament, a five-day spectacle that sparked a social media frenzy as videos of the athletes touring the capital went viral.

With anticipation building, ticket holders for the sold-out event flocked to the Royal Albert Hall’s opening night on Wednesday. Organizers had wisely cautioned attendees about the potential for congestion at the iconic venue.

On TikTok, users shared videos showcasing the two-day transformation of the arena, from the placement of tarpaulins on the floor to the completion of the sumo ring beneath a suspended purple canopy. The venue’s scoreboard prominently displayed Sumo branding, adding to the excitement.

Fans eagerly embraced the full Sumo experience, watching in amazement as 20 thrilling bouts unfolded before their eyes.

The opening night of the Grand Sumo Tournament at Royal Albert Hall did not disappoint

The iconic venue is hosting the five-day tournament – and London has gone wild for Sumo

Wrestlers enjoyed tucking into McDonald’s (right) and drinking Guinness ahead of the event

Spectators watched 20 enthralling bouts on Day One of the tournament on Wednesday night

To accommodate the 25-stone wrestlers, event organizers had to reinforce seating, ensuring it could withstand double the usual weight, a testament to the unique demands of hosting such a grand event.

‘We’ve actually had to source and buy new chairs which can take up to 200kg in weight,’ Matthew Todd, the Royal Albert Hall’s director of programming, told The Guardian. ‘Our usual standard is only 100kg.’ 

It offered the perfect opportunity for Londoners not only to bask in Japan’s culture but also its cuisine. 

Speaking on the catering bill, Todd added: ‘It’s substantial. I know the wholesaler actually ran out of noodles because we’d already ordered so many from them.’ 

Toilets have also been reinforced. ‘It’s the ones that are screwed into the wall which are the most challenging,’ he said.

Footage shared to social media ahead of the event showed wrestlers sightseeing around London, including a McDonald’s stop, a TK Maxx browse and a grin-filled recreation of the Beatles’ Abbey Road crossing. 

Four athletes were seen in traditional dress proudly striding across the zebra lines, with a London bus and cyclists in the background.

Other clips show groups pausing for photographs near Big Ben and along the Embankment as tourists double-take at the unlikely sightseeing party.

Top wrestlers weigh roughly 25 stone, and with no barriers between the ring and nearby seats, a falling wrestler could cause serious harm to spectators. 

The Royal Albert Hall has been transformed and tickets for the anticipated event have sold out

Four wrestlers can be seen in traditional dress proudly striding across the zebra lines, with a London bus and cyclists in the background, as they recreate the iconic Abbey Road picture

The Albert Hall’s transformation, shown on social media, has really captured the imagination

The Royal Albert Hall had posted a safety notice on its website warning fans to take care when booking the closest seats – a falling wrestler could cause serious harm to spectators

Sumo wrestling dates back a remarkable 1,500 years and remains steeped in Shinto tradition

The Royal Albert Hall had posted a safety notice on its website warning fans to take care when booking the closest seats. Fortunately, there were no reported safety concerns on night one of the tournament.

‘The tournament will be presented in the traditional style without barriers between the ring and these seats,’ the statement, posted on Wednesday, read.

‘It is possible that wrestlers may fall or be thrown from the ring into the ringside area as part of the competition. 

‘We therefore advise that ringside cushions may not be suitable for those with mobility issues, and customers accept that any use of these seats is entirely at their own risk.’

The venue also advises that young children avoid sitting on ringside cushions during the event, which is to be staged in London until October 19.

Sumo wrestling, one of the world’s oldest sports, dates back 1,500 years and remains steeped in Shinto tradition. Wrestlers throw salt before bouts to purify the ring, a ritual believed to ward off evil spirits and prevent injury.