60 BJJ Academies in São Paulo.
If you're traveling to train, São Paulo is one of those cities where you can feel the level of the scene the moment you tie your belt. Alliance São Paulo (one of the team's main hubs alongside its Atlanta operations, led by co-founder Fabio Gurgel) is here. So is Checkmat, the room where Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida and Michelle Nicolini came up. Cicero Costha's PSLPB social project — the academy that produced the Miyao brothers, Leandro Lo, Thalison Soares, Hiago George, and Tiago Barros — is also in town. You can stack multiple black-belt-deep academies into a single training day if you plan it right.
What to expect on the mat: classes at flagship rooms are large, rolling rounds tend to run longer than the standard 5 minutes, and the technical level a few rounds in is going to surprise you. Gi training dominates year-round even though summers (Dec–Mar) are humid. Bring two gis. Bring three if you're staying more than a few days.
The city is enormous and traffic is its own combat sport — plan your gym visits around the neighborhood you're staying in rather than trying to cross town during rush hour. Most established affiliate HQs sit in the Zona Sul (south side).
Practical tips: bring a clean gi (white is the safest default), and a reference from your home academy if you can — it speeds up the welcome. Portuguese isn't required but it'll be appreciated; "obrigado", "com licença", and the names of basic positions in Portuguese go a long way. Drop-in pricing varies by gym — ask the academy directly.
Time your visit around the calendar if you can: the São Paulo International Open (IBJJF, typically in November) and the IBJJF Brasileiro draw competitors from across the country, and the open mats in the lead-up are some of the best rolling you'll find anywhere.
Acad Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Academia Cícero Costha - Jiu Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Academia de Jiu Jitsu Gracie Barra - Santana - Zona Norte de São Paulo
São Paulo, São Paulo
Academia Soldiers Jiu-Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Alliance Jiu Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Alliance Jiu Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Alliance Jiu-Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Alliance Jiu-jitsu Higienópolis
São Paulo, São Paulo
Alliance Jiu Jitsu - Jardins
São Paulo, São Paulo
Alliance Jiu Jitsu - Juventus
São Paulo, São Paulo
Alliance Jiu Jitsu Team - Academia Perdizes
São Paulo, São Paulo
Alliance Jiu Jitsu Vila Madalena
São Paulo, São Paulo
Alliance Moema Jiu Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Alliance Paraiso Jiujitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Almeida Jiu Jitsu Casa Verde - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Almeida JJ Perdizes
São Paulo, São Paulo
Assad Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Barbosa Jiu-Jitsu B9
São Paulo, São Paulo
Black Lotus - Sede
São Paulo, São Paulo
Bollacha Jiu Jitsu Matriz
São Paulo, São Paulo
Brazilian Jiu - Jitsu G13
São Paulo, São Paulo
Brazilian Roots Jiu-Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Carlson Gracie São Paulo / Assad BJJ
São Paulo, São Paulo
CBJJE
São Paulo, São Paulo
Checkmat Capital Itaim Bibi - True Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Cia Paulista de Jiu-jitsu (QG)
São Paulo, São Paulo
Cícero Costha Jiu-Jitsu | Centro - São Paulo
São Paulo, São Paulo
Equipe HT - Jiu-Jitsu Brasil
São Paulo, São Paulo
ESCOLA MIYASHITA JIU JITSU
São Paulo, São Paulo
Exclusive Jiu-Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Fitness Fight Company
São Paulo, São Paulo
G13 BJJ
São Paulo, São Paulo
G13BJJ Jiu-Jitsu HQ Jiu-Jitsu Vila Nova Conceição
São Paulo, São Paulo
Grab Jiu Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu & Defesa Pessoal - Jardins - SP
São Paulo, São Paulo
Gracie Barra Santo Amaro Jiu-Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Guibbor Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Jiu-Jitsu Academy SP / Aclimação
São Paulo, São Paulo
JIU-JITSU G13 TATUAPÉ
São Paulo, São Paulo
Koi Jiu-Jitsu | Bela Vista
São Paulo, São Paulo
Leteri Team Jiu Jitsu Perdizes
São Paulo, São Paulo
Lizardo Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Lotus Club Bom Retiro | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | Muay Thai
São Paulo, São Paulo
Lotus Club - CETEPE // JIU JITSU
São Paulo, São Paulo
Lotus Club Jiu Jitsu MATRIZ
São Paulo, São Paulo
MKBJJ Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
MXT Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Oni Brothers Jiu Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Ornellas Dojo - Jiu-jitsu School | Liberdade
São Paulo, São Paulo
Osny Almeida Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Paganini BJJ
São Paulo, São Paulo
Rocian JR Gracie
São Paulo, São Paulo
Rolling Academy - Jiu Jitsu | Boxe | Muay Thai
São Paulo, São Paulo
STATION 1939 - Jiu Jitsu Team
São Paulo, São Paulo
Templo Jiu Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
Tetris Brazilian Jiu-jitsu HQ
São Paulo, São Paulo
United Life BJJ
São Paulo, São Paulo
United Tatuapé - Jiu Jitsu
São Paulo, São Paulo
XCOACH - Jiu Jitsu São Paulo
São Paulo, São Paulo
Zenith Jiu-Jitsu - Moema
São Paulo, São Paulo
Common questions.
Start here.
Picking a gym, your first class, gear, belts, and how often to train. Everything you need to walk in the door.
Read the guideWhat to wear, how the class runs, whether you'll spar on day one, and why tapping is a good thing.
Read the guideThe coach, the beginner program, the culture on the mat, and the contract. What to check and what to walk away from.
Read the guideMembership prices, real drop-in fees from listed academies, gear costs, and the fees hiding in the fine print.
Read the guide