September Tournament, Day 5 · Thursday, September 17, 2026 · Morning viewing guide
Where would you like to start watching today’s sumo? The official Day 5 bout sheet lists the Juryo ring-entering ceremony at 14:15 and the Makuuchi ring-entering ceremony at 15:40. If there is a bout you do not want to miss, use those ceremonies as a guide and get ready a little early.
Two times to keep handy
| Time (JST) | Official bout-sheet schedule |
|---|---|
| 14:15 | Juryo ring-entering ceremony |
| 15:40 | Intermission and Makuuchi ring-entering ceremony, followed by the Yokozuna ring-entering ceremony |
All times are Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+9). These are the scheduled times for the ring-entering ceremonies, not the first Juryo or Makuuchi bouts. The day may run a little early or late, and individual bouts do not have fixed start times.
For Juryo, be ready a little before 14:15 JST
Getting ready for the ring-entering ceremony makes it easier to catch the early bouts too. There are 14 Juryo bouts on Day 5. Our three picks are Ryuden vs Enho, Kitanowaka vs Midorifuji, and Daiseizan vs Mitakeumi.
Read the full 14-bout Juryo schedule and our three viewing notes
For Makuuchi, use the 15:40 JST ceremony as your guide
Seeing the wrestlers enter in their decorative kesho-mawashi aprons is a different pleasure from watching the bouts themselves. Today’s three picks are Ura vs Wakamotoharu, Asanoyama vs Takerufuji, and Churanoumi vs Kotozakura. There are 20 Makuuchi bouts in all.
Read the full 20-bout Makuuchi schedule and our three viewing notes
Check the broadcast schedule separately
If you are watching on television or a streaming service, check that provider’s programme listing for today. The times above come from the schedule at the arena; they do not guarantee when a broadcast or stream will start. Find the right programme and check the sound beforehand. Then there is time to make a cup of tea and settle in.
A quick look at the wins before the day begins
Through the end of Day 4, Kotozakura was Makuuchi’s only wrestler at 4–0. In Juryo, Kayo, Kagayaki, Kitanowaka and Daiseizan were all 4–0. It is still early in the tournament, but a glance at the records may give today’s bouts a little extra interest. These are the records before Day 5, not Day 5 results.
Sources checked
Japan Sumo Association: Day 5 bout sheet PDF (Japanese), Day 5 Makuuchi bouts (Japanese), and Day 5 Juryo bouts (Japanese). Checked on the morning of September 17. The times were visually checked against the PDF, and the records were checked against the official displays through the end of Day 4.
The cover is an AI-created illustration of watching sumo.