BJJ Academies in United States.
The United States is the second-largest BJJ scene in the world after Brazil, and the place where the sport went from a Gracie family demonstration to a globally televised competition circuit. The story starts in Torrance, California — Rorion Gracie opened the first U.S. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy there in 1989, and four years later co-founded the UFC as a showcase for the family's style.
Today the U.S. surface is dense and geographically spread. Gracie Barra Headquarters sits in Irvine, California (14988 Sand Canyon Ave). Atos Jiu-Jitsu's HQ is in San Diego under Andre Galvão. New York City is its own concentration: Renzo Gracie Academy in Midtown Manhattan (224 W 30th St, opened 1996) and Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu in Chelsea (250 W 26th St, opened September 2009). Alliance's main U.S. base is in Sandy Springs, Atlanta (5290 Roswell Rd) under co-founder Romero "Jacaré" Cavalcanti, one of six Rolls Gracie black belts. 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu's no-gi system is run out of Downtown LA (1314 S Grand Ave) by Eddie Bravo, who founded the team in 2003.
The U.S. also hosts the calendar's biggest events: IBJJF Worlds at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach (May 28–31, 2026), IBJJF Pan in Kissimmee, Florida (March 24–29, 2026), and the IBJJF World No-Gi Championship in Las Vegas. The most recent ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship was at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, in August 2024.
Arizona
California
Colorado
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Washington
Tournaments and seminars in United States.
Silver Spurs Arena (Osceola Heritage Park) · Kissimmee, Florida
This IBJJF International Open No-Gi tournament runs in Kissimmee, Florida, contested under IBJJF no-gi rules across all belts, weights, and age divisions.
Silver Spurs Arena (Osceola Heritage Park) · Kissimmee, Florida
This IBJJF International Open tournament runs in Kissimmee, Florida, contested under IBJJF gi rules across all belts, weights, and age divisions.
Silver Spurs Arena (Osceola Heritage Park) · Kissimmee, Florida
The Pan Kids Championship is the IBJJF's continental gi event for youth divisions, hosted in Kissimmee, Florida.
Portland Expo Center - Exhibit Hall E1 · Portland, Oregon
This IBJJF International Open tournament runs in Portland, Oregon, contested under IBJJF gi rules across all belts, weights, and age divisions.
Portland Expo Center - Exhibit Hall E1 · Portland, Oregon
This IBJJF International Open No-Gi tournament runs in Portland, Oregon, contested under IBJJF no-gi rules across all belts, weights, and age divisions.
Cancha Nilmarie Santini Martin · Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
American Grappling Federation (AGF) Gi and No-Gi jiu-jitsu tournament for kids through adults, at Cancha Nilmarie Santini Martin in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico.
XGen Elite Sports Complex · Buffalo, New York
American Grappling Federation (AGF) Gi and No-Gi jiu-jitsu tournament for kids through adults, at XGen Elite Sports Complex in Buffalo, New York.
Cobo Center · Detroit, Michigan
NAGA grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu championship in Detroit, Michigan.
Foley Event Center · Foley, Alabama
The NAGA U.S. National Grappling and BJJ Championship in Foley, Alabama. One of the premier NAGA events of the year.
Oak Lawn Pavilion · Burbank, Illinois
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at Oak Lawn Pavilion in Burbank, Illinois.
Everett Community College Fitness Center · Everett, Washington
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at Everett Community College Fitness Center in Everett, Washington.
Dallas Market Hall - North Hall · Dallas, Texas
This IBJJF International Open No-Gi tournament runs in Dallas, Texas, contested under IBJJF no-gi rules across all belts, weights, and age divisions.
Open mats in United States.
Wednesdaytoday
Haddonfield, New Jersey
Weekly Wednesday morning no-gi open mat at Balance Haddonfield. End time not published; cost not stated.
Wednesday open mat details →Las Vegas, Nevada
Weekly Wednesday adult open mat at Midgard Submission Grappling and Self-Defense. The gym states its adult open mat has no drop-in fee.
Wednesday open mat details →Los Angeles, California
Weekly Wednesday lunchtime open mat (sparring time) at Kron Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy LAX, directly after the 11am all-levels class.
Wednesday open mat details →Denver, Colorado
Weekly Wednesday midday open mat and rolling at Way of Jiu Jitsu (Denver HQ, Rigan Machado). Cost not stated.
Wednesday open mat details →Santa Monica, California
Weekly Wednesday lunchtime no-gi open mat at Gracie Originals Santa Monica, directly after the advanced no-gi class.
Wednesday open mat details →Del Mar, California
Wednesday gi open mat at Surfight BJJ. Open to drop-ins from any school. $20 per session ($10 upgrade for full day).
Wednesday open mat details →Denver, Colorado
Weekly Wednesday evening gi and no-gi open mat at Way of Jiu Jitsu (Denver HQ, Rigan Machado). Cost not stated.
Wednesday open mat details →Los Angeles, California
Weekly Wednesday evening open mat (sparring time) at Kron Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy LAX.
Wednesday open mat details →