After the smashing success of New York City’s first-ever open sumo tournament, the Empire Cup is officially back up for grabs. The debut 2025 edition made history, even landing on the cover of the New York Times sports section, and this year, we’re coming back bigger, heavier, and louder. In less than a week, 90 athletes from 40 clubs and 8 countries will collide at the second Empire Cup. Featuring: • Women’s divisions • Junior divisions • 5 weight classes from Featherweight to Heavyweight • And of course… the chaos everybody’s waiting for: OPENWEIGHT. This year, a wave of BJJ fighters will step onto the dohyo to test themselves against experienced sumo wrestlers in one of the most explosive crossover clashes in combat sports. FREE ENTRY. 📍 TOURNAMENT VENUE Japan Village Courtyard Stage Industry City — Brooklyn, NY Expect taiko drums, brutal collisions, tradition, chaos, and one of the wildest atmospheres New York combat sports has to offer. Half Sumo will also be taking over Japan Village for a one-day-only installation featuring exclusive drops, limited pieces, and special event merch. Pull up. Say hi. Witness history. Don’t miss it. 🥋🔥 #halfsumo #nysumoclub #empiresumocup