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 York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Washington
Tournaments and seminars in United States.
Leilehua High School - Gymnasium · Wahiawa, Hawaii
This IBJJF International Open No-Gi tournament runs in Wahiawa, Hawaii, contested under IBJJF no-gi rules across all belts, weights, and age divisions.
Leilehua High School - Gymnasium · Wahiawa, Hawaii
This IBJJF International Open tournament runs in Wahiawa, Hawaii, contested under IBJJF gi rules across all belts, weights, and age divisions.
Fredericksburg Convention Center - Hall A + B · Fredericksburg, Virginia
This IBJJF International Open tournament runs in Fredericksburg, Virginia, contested under IBJJF gi rules across all belts, weights, and age divisions.
Fredericksburg Convention Center - Hall A + B · Fredericksburg, Virginia
This IBJJF International Open No-Gi tournament runs in Fredericksburg, Virginia, contested under IBJJF no-gi rules across all belts, weights, and age divisions.
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center · Fort Walton Beach, Florida
American Grappling Federation (AGF) Gi and No-Gi jiu-jitsu tournament for kids through adults, at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
Marple Sports Arena · Broomall, Pennsylvania
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at Marple Sports Arena in Broomall, Pennsylvania.
Gervin Center Gym · San Antonio, Texas
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at Gervin Center Gym in San Antonio, Texas.
Minneapolis Sports Center · Minneapolis, Minnesota
North American Grappling Association (NAGA) Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with divisions for all ages, belt ranks, and skill levels, at Minneapolis Sports Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Courts Sports Complex · Northglenn, Colorado
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at The Courts Sports Complex in Northglenn, Colorado.
North County Recreation Complex · St. Louis, Missouri
North American Grappling Association (NAGA) Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with divisions for all ages, belt ranks, and skill levels, at North County Recreation Complex in St. Louis, Missouri.
Fredericksburg Convention Center - Hall A + B · Fredericksburg, Virginia
This IBJJF International Open Kids tournament brings youth competitors to Fredericksburg, Virginia under IBJJF gi rules across all belts and age brackets.
Leilehua High School - Gymnasium · Wahiawa, Hawaii
This IBJJF International Open Kids tournament brings youth competitors to Wahiawa, Hawaii under IBJJF gi rules across all belts and age brackets.
Open mats in United States.
Wednesdaytoday
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 →Friday
San Marcos, California
Friday pre-dawn open mat at San Diego Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (San Marcos location).
Friday open mat details →San Diego, California
Friday morning open mat at 10th Planet San Diego. Listed on the schedule as 'All Levels — Open Rolls' (10th Planet terminology for an instructor-free rolling block). Ages 16+.
Friday open mat details →San Marcos, California
Friday late-morning open mat (gi & no-gi) at San Diego Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (San Marcos location).
Friday open mat details →Bonita, California
Friday evening open mat at Studio 33 (Bonita).
Friday open mat details →San Diego, California
Women-only open mat at Sagaz Jiu Jitsu, led by Alê Moss. Friday evenings, $20 drop-in (3-month experience minimum).
Friday open mat details →San Diego, California
Friday evening 'Big Matt's Open Mat' at Sagaz Jiu Jitsu — gi and no-gi welcome, led by Matt Chiriboga. $20 drop-in (3-month experience minimum).
Friday open mat details →Saturday
San Diego, California
Weekly Saturday open mat at Atos Jiu-Jitsu HQ. Free for members; $25 drop-in fee for non-members. Dress code enforced — white Atos gi only with Atos rash guard underneath (rentals available).
Saturday open mat details →