Jiu-Jitsu in Glasgow: Where to Train BJJ in Scotland's Largest City

Glasgow has a small but solid BJJ scene with representation from most of the major lineages. Gracie Barra, Rickson Gracie (through Connection Gracie), 10th Planet, and a handful of independent academies cover the city. This is the working guide to where to train.

Quick summary

• Best for traditional gi BJJ: Connection Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu School
• Best for no-gi specialists: 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Glasgow
• Best combat-sport crossover gym: The Griphouse
• Best independent BJJ academy: Marcos Nardini Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Why train BJJ in Glasgow

Glasgow's BJJ scene is smaller than Manchester or London, but the trade-off is genuine: smaller class sizes, more direct attention from coaches, and a tight-knit community. Most academies welcome travellers and visiting grapplers, and the cost of training is significantly lower than the bigger UK cities.

The Scottish BJJ competition circuit has grown in the last decade, with regional events through Polaris and IBJJF-affiliated tournaments now regularly held in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The London open mats and tournaments are within reach by train for serious competitors.

The six Glasgow BJJ academies worth knowing

1. Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu School

• Location: Glasgow
• Contact: graciebarrascotland@gmail.com, 0141 429 1961
• What to expect: Three black belt professors plus a qualified coaching team. The Gracie Barra global curriculum (Fundamentals, Advanced, Competition).

Part of the worldwide Gracie Barra network. The standardised GB curriculum means a clear progression structure and a familiar experience if you have trained at any other Gracie Barra. Family-friendly culture with classes for adults and children.

2. Connection Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy

• Location: Units 1 and 2 Woodville Park, 200 Woodville St, Glasgow, G51 2RL
• What to expect: Full-time BJJ school run by Professor Scott McVeigh, a 1st-degree black belt under Rickson Gracie. Structured, traditional Gracie BJJ.

One of the strongest options in Glasgow for traditional self-defence-oriented Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. The Rickson Gracie lineage is one of the most respected in the BJJ world.

3. Marcos Nardini Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

• Location: 53 Kilbirnie St, Glasgow, G5 8JD
• What to expect: All levels welcome. Strong focus on technique and fitness, with separate beginner and advanced sessions.

An independent BJJ academy with a welcoming culture for newcomers. Good fit if you want a smaller, more personal training environment than the bigger franchise academies.

4. Ronin Grappling

• Location: Glasgow (specific address through their website)
• What to expect: Established 2018. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes and private sessions.

Independent BJJ academy with a newer setup. Worth contacting directly for class times and pricing.

5. 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Glasgow

• What to expect: No-gi only. The Eddie Bravo 10th Planet system: rubber guard, lockdown, twister, modern submissions.

The only officially affiliated 10th Planet school in Scotland. If you want to train no-gi exclusively in the 10th Planet system, this is the option.

6. The Griphouse

• Location: Top Floor, 10 Possil Road, Glasgow G4 9SY
• What to expect: Multi-discipline combat sports gym including Jiu-Jitsu, MMA and others.

The largest combat-sports gym in Glasgow. Strong cross-discipline option if you want to train BJJ alongside striking, MMA, or wrestling.

What to expect from BJJ in Glasgow

The Scottish BJJ scene is small but growing. A few notes:

• Class sizes are smaller than London or Manchester academies, which usually means more direct coaching and more reps per class.
• The community is tight. You will meet most of the active Glasgow BJJ scene within a few months of training.
• Costs are lower. Monthly memberships typically run £80 to £120 per month, well below the London average.
• Competition trips. Most active competitors travel south for the bigger UK opens and to Polaris and ADCC trials when those run nearby.

What to look for in a Glasgow BJJ gym

A few practical considerations:

• Travel time. Glasgow has good public transport. A gym within 30 minutes of home or work is realistic to train at three or four times a week.
• Instructor lineage. All the gyms on this list have established lineage. Check the head coach's belt and where it came from before committing.
• Class schedule. Confirm the schedule fits your work and life. Most Glasgow gyms run evening and weekend classes.
• Trial class. Most academies welcome a free or low-cost trial. Always try before committing.

For the broader gym-evaluation checklist, see our BJJ gyms in London guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much does BJJ cost in Glasgow? Memberships typically range from £80 to £120 per month for unlimited classes. Drop-in fees usually run £15 to £25 per session. Glasgow is significantly cheaper than London for equivalent quality.

Is there a Rickson Gracie academy in Glasgow? Connection Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy is run by a 1st-degree black belt under Rickson Gracie. It is the closest you will get to a Rickson lineage academy in Scotland.

Is there a 10th Planet in Scotland? Yes. 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Glasgow is the only officially affiliated 10th Planet school in Scotland.

Can I train BJJ as a beginner in Glasgow? Yes. Every academy on this list welcomes beginners. Gracie Barra has the most structured beginner programme; Marcos Nardini and the smaller independent academies have a more personal training environment.

Are there BJJ competitions in Scotland? Yes. Regional Polaris and IBJJF-affiliated events run in Glasgow and Edinburgh. London open mats and UK tournaments are accessible by train for serious competitors.

What is the best gi BJJ academy in Glasgow? Connection Gracie and Gracie Barra are the two strongest gi-focused options. Marcos Nardini is the strongest independent option.

Where can I train no-gi in Glasgow? 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Glasgow for the dedicated 10th Planet system. Most other academies (Gracie Barra, Marcos Nardini, The Griphouse) also have no-gi classes.

Is BJJ growing in Scotland? Yes. The Scottish BJJ scene has grown significantly in the last decade, with more academies, more competitions, and more active competitors than ever.

The bottom line

Glasgow's BJJ scene is small but solid. The six academies above cover the major lineages and styles, from traditional Gracie BJJ to no-gi-only 10th Planet. Try two or three before committing to a membership. Costs are reasonable, the community is welcoming, and you will get genuine coaching attention given the smaller class sizes.

For more BJJ city guides, see our BJJ gyms in London, BJJ gyms in Limassol, BJJ gyms in Paphos, BJJ gyms in Los Angeles and BJJ gyms in New York lists. For gear, see our best BJJ gis and BJJ gear guides.