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.
Las Vegas Convention Center - Hall W1 - W3 · Las Vegas, Nevada
The IBJJF World Master Championship gathers masters-division competitors from around the globe in Las Vegas, Nevada for one of the year's largest gi tournaments.
Las Vegas Convention Center - Hall W1 - W3 · Las Vegas, Nevada
Jiu-Jitsu CON No-Gi International is the no-gi adult and masters bracket of the IBJJF's CON series weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Las Vegas Convention Center - Hall W1 - W3 · Las Vegas, Nevada
Jiu-Jitsu CON Kids No-Gi International is the youth no-gi bracket of the IBJJF's CON series weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Las Vegas Convention Center - Hall W1 - W3 · Las Vegas, Nevada
Jiu-Jitsu CON Kids International is the youth gi bracket of the IBJJF's CON series weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada.
REP Fieldhouse · Gahanna, Ohio
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at REP Fieldhouse in Gahanna, Ohio.
Teamworks Warwick · Warwick, Rhode Island
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at Teamworks Warwick in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Oak Lawn Pavilion · Oak Lawn, Illinois
Grappling Games Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament at Oak Lawn Pavilion in Oak Lawn, Illinois.
All American Fieldhouse · Monroeville, Pennsylvania
American Grappling Federation (AGF) Gi and No-Gi jiu-jitsu tournament for kids through adults, at All American Fieldhouse in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.
Hagerstown Field House · Hagerstown, Maryland
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at Hagerstown Field House in Hagerstown, Maryland.
Longplex Family & Sports Center (Rink 1) · Tiverton, Rhode Island
North American Grappling Association (NAGA) Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with divisions for all ages, belt ranks, and skill levels, at Longplex Family & Sports Center (Rink 1) in Tiverton, Rhode Island.
Lynnwood Event Center · Lynnwood, Washington
American Grappling Federation (AGF) Gi and No-Gi jiu-jitsu tournament for kids through adults, at Lynnwood Event Center in Lynnwood, Washington.
Western Idaho Fairgrounds · Garden City, Idaho
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at Western Idaho Fairgrounds in Garden City, Idaho.
Open mats in United States.
Saturdaytoday
Austin, Texas
Weekly Saturday no-gi open mat at AMP BJJ Westlake Hills. Cost not stated.
Saturday open mat details →Houston, Texas
Weekly Saturday open mat at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Houston. Cost not stated.
Saturday open mat details →Denver, Colorado
Weekly Saturday morning open mat at Rebellion Self Defense and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Denver. Cost not stated.
Saturday open mat details →New York, New York
Weekly Saturday early no-gi open mat at UNA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Forest Hills. The gym has an explicit open-door policy: visitors and students from other schools are welcome to drop in and train. End time not published.
Saturday open mat details →Austin, Texas
Weekly Saturday morning open mat at Gracie Humaita Austin. The gym describes open mat as unguided training, all belts welcome. Cost not stated.
Saturday open mat details →Haddonfield, New Jersey
Weekly Saturday morning no-gi open mat at Balance Haddonfield. End time not published; cost not stated.
Saturday open mat details →Austin, Texas
Weekly Saturday open mat at Claunch Academy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Cost not stated.
Saturday open mat details →Las Vegas, Nevada
Weekly Saturday open mat (kids and adults) at Fight For Us Jiu Jitsu (Robert Drysdale affiliate) in Las Vegas. The gym offers a free trial pass for the open mat.
Saturday open mat details →