BJJ Academies in the 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
Kansas
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 the United States.
Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center · Boston, Massachusetts
This IBJJF International Open No-Gi tournament runs in Boston, Massachusetts, contested under IBJJF no-gi rules across all belts, weights, and age divisions.
Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center · Boston, Massachusetts
This IBJJF International Open tournament runs in Boston, Massachusetts, contested under IBJJF gi rules across all belts, weights, and age divisions.
RecPlex · Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
American Grappling Federation (AGF) Gi and No-Gi jiu-jitsu tournament for kids through adults, at RecPlex in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.
MSA Fieldhouse · Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at MSA Fieldhouse in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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.
Manuel Lujan Complex · Albuquerque, New Mexico
American Grappling Federation (AGF) Gi and No-Gi jiu-jitsu tournament for kids through adults, at Manuel Lujan Complex in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The McDermott Athletic Center · Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at The McDermott Athletic Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
Gervin Center · San Antonio, Texas
North American Grappling Association (NAGA) Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with divisions for all ages, belt ranks, and skill levels, at Gervin Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center · Boston, Massachusetts
This IBJJF International Open Kids tournament brings youth competitors to Boston, Massachusetts under IBJJF gi rules across all belts and age brackets.
Homefield Olathe · Olathe, Kansas
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at Homefield Olathe in Olathe, Kansas.
Venue To Be Confirmed · Dallas, Texas
AJP Tour (Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro) Gi/No-Gi jiu-jitsu championship at Venue To Be Confirmed in Dallas, Texas.
Community Fieldhouse · Houston, Texas
North American Grappling Association (NAGA) Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with divisions for all ages, belt ranks, and skill levels, at Community Fieldhouse in Houston, Texas.
Open mats in the United States.
Tuesdaytoday
Austin, Texas
Weekly Tuesday morning open mat at Gracie Humaita Austin. The gym describes open mat as unguided training, all belts welcome. Cost not stated.
Tuesday open mat details →Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Weekly Tuesday morning open mat at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Denver (no-gi school). Cost not stated.
Tuesday open mat details →Los Angeles, California
Weekly Tuesday 7am gi open mat at Frogtown Jiu-Jitsu: informal supervised training (roll, spar, drill; no formal class). Adult sessions at Frogtown run one hour.
Tuesday open mat details →New York, New York
Weekly Tuesday morning open mat at Staten Island Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA, following the 9:30am wrestling class. End time not published.
Tuesday open mat details →Phoenix, Arizona
Weekly Tuesday open mat at Gracie Arizona Jiu Jitsu Academy. Cost not stated.
Tuesday open mat details →Denver, Colorado
Weekly Tuesday midday open mat and rolling at Way of Jiu Jitsu (Denver HQ, Rigan Machado). Cost not stated.
Tuesday open mat details →Santa Monica, California
Weekly Tuesday lunchtime open mat at Gracie Originals Santa Monica, directly after the noon adult gi class.
Tuesday open mat details →Santa Monica, California
Weekly Tuesday evening open mat at Gracie Originals Santa Monica, directly after the 6pm adult gi class.
Tuesday open mat details →