Billed as an "immersive celebration of Japanese culture and athleticism," WorldWide Sumo was slated to blend traditional sumo wrestling exhibitions with live J-pop performances, taiko drumming, shamisen music, and an authentic Japanese marketplace. Press materials teased appearances by elite retired sumo wrestlers including the 341-pound Mongolian star Azumaryum and Japanese competitors Matsu, Tashi, and Taichiyama. Entertainment acts such as J-pop artist Shihori, anime metal band Spirit Bomb, and taiko master Shunichiro Kamiya were also announced.
The show, reportedly produced by the Emmy-winning team behind StudioNaginami, promised a "modern, family-friendly take" on Japan’s ancient sport, complete with cultural exhibits, food vendors, merchandise, and surprise appearances - all tied to a mission of cross-cultural exchange and benefiting the Japan Society.
But just weeks before the event was set to launch its U.S. tour in San Diego, the official WorldWide Sumo website (wwsumo.com), as well as that for StudioNaginami, have both gone dark, and no trace of ticket sales remains. Attempts to reach the production company have yielded no results. Even a promotional article posted by the San Diego Comic-Con Unofficial Blog has been taken down without explanation.
Despite the missing website, WorldWide Sumo does appear to have an Instagram account, though with only 53 followers and very little content. The account is still promoting the tour, including an event scheduled for August 1–3 at the American Dream Mall in New Jersey. Both, the San Diego and New Jersey events remain absent from mainstream ticketing platforms and there has been no new promotional activity.
SanDiegoVille readers were among the first to raise alarms.
"I think Petco got duped," wrote one follower, noting that ticket sales were only available through the now-defunct website - not through Padres channels or trusted ticketing platforms. "It smells fishy."
Adding fuel to the fire: the event never appeared on the official Padres or Petco Park events calendars, despite prominently listing Gallagher Square as the venue. Other Petco-hosted events are typically accessible through Padres ticketing accounts - but not this one. That irregularity, combined with the complete lack of public comment from Petco Park, has raised speculation. Petco Park did share the event on its official Instagram account.
SanDiegoVille readers were among the first to raise alarms.
"I think Petco got duped," wrote one follower, noting that ticket sales were only available through the now-defunct website - not through Padres channels or trusted ticketing platforms. "It smells fishy."
Adding fuel to the fire: the event never appeared on the official Padres or Petco Park events calendars, despite prominently listing Gallagher Square as the venue. Other Petco-hosted events are typically accessible through Padres ticketing accounts - but not this one. That irregularity, combined with the complete lack of public comment from Petco Park, has raised speculation. Petco Park did share the event on its official Instagram account.
WorldWide Sumo had described itself as a global cultural force with performances advertised as being simultaneously streamed live via YouTube and Twitch. A partnership with the Japan Society was also announced, with $1 from each ticket said to support cultural programming.
If the event is canceled or quietly scrapped, it raises broader concerns about vetting procedures, transparency, and communication between venue partners and the public. Some are now speculating that the cancellation may be tied to recent immigration-related crackdowns, though no official connection has been confirmed. The timing couldn’t be worse: Comic-Con weekend is one of the busiest periods on San Diego’s annual calendar, drawing tens of thousands of global visitors and a heightened level of public and media scrutiny.
SanDiegoVille has reached out to representatives for the San Diego Padres and Petco Park to confirm the status of the event and clarify whether it was ever formally booked or endorsed. As of publication, no response has been received.
Until official word surfaces, those looking forward to sumo beneath the San Diego sky are left with more questions than answers - and one less thing to circle on their Comic-Con calendars.
If the event is canceled or quietly scrapped, it raises broader concerns about vetting procedures, transparency, and communication between venue partners and the public. Some are now speculating that the cancellation may be tied to recent immigration-related crackdowns, though no official connection has been confirmed. The timing couldn’t be worse: Comic-Con weekend is one of the busiest periods on San Diego’s annual calendar, drawing tens of thousands of global visitors and a heightened level of public and media scrutiny.
SanDiegoVille has reached out to representatives for the San Diego Padres and Petco Park to confirm the status of the event and clarify whether it was ever formally booked or endorsed. As of publication, no response has been received.
Until official word surfaces, those looking forward to sumo beneath the San Diego sky are left with more questions than answers - and one less thing to circle on their Comic-Con calendars.
Originally published on June 21, 2025.
