Top BJJ Competitions Worldwide: The Major Tournaments Explained

The professional BJJ competition scene has grown massively in the last decade. From IBJJF Worlds in Long Beach to ADCC in Las Vegas, from WNO superfights to the Craig Jones Invitational, there are now multiple high-stakes events year-round. This is the working guide to the major BJJ competitions, what makes each different, and how to qualify.

The major tournaments at a glance

Event	Format	Frequency	Highest stakes
IBJJF Worlds (gi)	IBJJF rules, points-based	Annual	Most prestigious gi title
IBJJF Worlds (no-gi)	IBJJF no-gi rules	Annual	Top IBJJF no-gi title
ADCC Worlds	ADCC rules, submission-first	Every 2 years	Most prestigious no-gi title
ADCC Trials	ADCC qualifiers	Annual	Qualification for ADCC Worlds
WNO Championships	Submission-only	Multiple per year	Major no-gi superfights
Polaris	Submission-only	Multiple per year	Top European no-gi event
Craig Jones Invitational (CJI)	Submission-only, $1M prize	Annual	Highest prize money in BJJ
F2W	Submission-only	Frequent	Active US submission circuit
IBJJF Pan-Ams	IBJJF rules	Annual	Major Americas gi event
IBJJF Euros	IBJJF rules	Annual	Major European gi event
ONE Championship	Submission-only	Multiple per year	High-profile pro contracts
Quintet	5-on-5 team event	Variable	Unique team format
BJJ Stars	Brazilian pro circuit	Multiple per year	Strong Brazilian-led event
UFC Fight Pass Invitational	Submission-only	Multiple per year	UFC-backed pro event

IBJJF Worlds (gi): the most prestigious gi title

The annual IBJJF World Championship is the most prestigious gi BJJ event in the world. Held in Long Beach, California (typically in May or June), it draws the deepest brackets in the sport.

• Format: IBJJF rules with points, advantages and submissions.
• Divisions: Multiple weight classes for men and women, plus Absolute (open weight).
• Belt categories: From white belt to black belt.
• Qualification: Open registration for IBJJF members at the appropriate belt level.

Recent dominant names include Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida (13 World titles, the most in history), Roger Gracie (10 titles), and the modern generation including Nicholas Meregali, Mica Galvao and the Atos and Alliance teams. See our top BJJ athletes list for the historical context.

IBJJF Worlds (no-gi)

The no-gi version of IBJJF Worlds runs annually, usually toward the end of the calendar year. Same federation, same scoring system, no kimono.

• Differences from gi Worlds: Heel hooks are restricted at lower belts, no kimono grips, faster pace.
• Notable winners: Gordon Ryan (3x No-Gi World Champion), the Ruotolo brothers, Mikey Musumeci.

For a deeper look at the modern no-gi scene, see our What is ADCC page and our New Wave Jiu-Jitsu coverage.

ADCC World Championship

ADCC is the most prestigious no-gi submission grappling tournament in the world. Held every two years (most recently 2022 and 2024 in Las Vegas).

• Format: First half of every match is negative-scoring only (penalties for stalling and guard pulling); points open in the second half. Submissions count throughout. See our What is ADCC explainer for the full rule set.
• Divisions: Five male weight classes, two female weight classes, plus the Absolute (open weight) division.
• Qualification: Direct invitation for elite-level competitors, or through regional ADCC Trials.
• Superfight: A separate single-match championship between two elite grapplers, held alongside the main tournament.

ADCC is the event around which every elite no-gi grappler plans their career. The two-year cycle means each edition matters enormously.

ADCC Trials

The regional qualifiers for ADCC Worlds. Held annually in major regions:

• North American Trials (often run in two events: East Coast and West Coast)
• European, Middle Eastern and African (EMEA) Trials
• Asian / Oceanian Trials
• South American Trials

The trials are full single-elimination tournaments with deep brackets. The winner of each weight class qualifies for the next ADCC Worlds. The trials themselves are some of the most prestigious grappling tournaments outside ADCC Worlds.

Who's Number One (WNO) Championships

WNO is the FloGrappling-run pro grappling event with frequent superfight cards and an annual championship.

• Format: Submission-only, longer time limits than IBJJF no-gi, sometimes 15- or 20-minute matches.
• Champions: Held by elite no-gi grapplers including Gordon Ryan (Heavyweight, multiple defences), the Ruotolo brothers, and others.
• Frequency: Multiple events per year, with title fights and contender matchups.

WNO has become the standard for high-profile professional superfight matchups outside ADCC.

Polaris

The leading European-based professional submission grappling event. Polaris runs single-card events with submission-only formats and a strong reputation for booking dream matches.

• Format: Submission-only.
• Headquartered in: UK.
• Notable history: Polaris 2 in 2015 featured Daniel Strauss drawing with AJ Agazarm. Polaris cards have included headline matches across the modern era.

Polaris is more curated than WNO (fewer events but bigger matches per card) and is the standard for European pro grappling.

Craig Jones Invitational (CJI)

The newest major event on the calendar. Founded by Craig Jones (founder of B-Team), CJI launched in 2024 with a $1 million tournament prize purse, which made it the highest-paying single event in BJJ history.

• Format: Submission-only.
• Prize money: $1 million tournament prize at launch, with additional purses for superfights.
• Significance: CJI was specifically structured as a counterpoint to ADCC, scheduled around the same time as ADCC 2024 and offering significantly higher prize money. The event drew a large roster of elite grapplers.
• Frequency: CJI 2 is scheduled to continue the model.

CJI is the event that has done the most to push prize money in professional BJJ upward.

F2W (Fight to Win)

A submission-only pro grappling circuit with frequent events across the US. F2W runs single-night cards with superfight matches at all belt levels.

• Format: Submission-only with a sliding judges' decision if no submission. 5-minute or longer time limits.
• Frequency: Multiple events per month, in cities across the US.
• Significance: F2W is one of the most active and accessible professional BJJ circuits. Many up-and-coming competitors make their pro debut on F2W cards.

IBJJF Pan American Championship (Pan-Ams)

Annual IBJJF tournament held in Long Beach, California, typically in March.

• Format: Same as IBJJF Worlds.
• Significance: One of the four major IBJJF events (with Worlds, Europeans and Brazilian Nationals) that make up the Grand Slam.
• Open registration for IBJJF members at the appropriate belt level.

IBJJF European Open (Euros)

Annual IBJJF tournament held in Lisbon, Portugal, typically in January.

• Significance: The kick-off major event of the BJJ calendar year. Strong attendance from European and international competitors.

ONE Championship Submission Grappling

ONE Championship (the major Asian MMA promotion) has built a submission grappling division alongside its MMA programme. The division features high-profile contracts and headline matchups.

• Format: Submission-only.
• Notable contracts: Mikey Musumeci (Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion), Andre Galvao, Giancarlo Bodoni.
• Significance: Major non-traditional platform for pro grappling.

UFC Fight Pass Invitational

A UFC-backed submission grappling event held on UFC Fight Pass. Multiple events per year with elite grapplers.

• Format: Submission-only.
• Notable competitors: Mikey Musumeci has headlined multiple events.
• Significance: Brings BJJ into the UFC's audience, expanding the sport's reach.

BJJ Stars

The leading Brazilian-led professional grappling circuit. Strong matchups, often featuring the deepest end of the Brazilian competition scene.

• Format: Varies by event (submission-only, gi, no-gi).
• Significance: Major platform for Brazilian competitors and the matchups that the Western circuits do not always book.

Quintet (5-on-5 team format)

A unique team-based grappling event. Five-person teams compete in elimination rounds, with each match decided by submission or draw.

• Format: Submission-only with no points. If no submission, both competitors are eliminated.
• Frequency: Variable. Quintet runs less frequently than other events but generates huge fan interest when it returns.
• Significance: The most distinctive format in professional grappling. Major upsets are common because a single submission can sweep an entire team.

How to start competing

The realistic path from beginner to active competitor:

White belt (months 0 to 6)

• Train consistently for at least 6 months before your first competition.
• Start with a local IBJJF-affiliated event or a small regional tournament.
• Compete in your weight class only initially. Skip Absolute.

White belt to blue belt (6 to 18 months)

• Local opens and regional IBJJF events.
• Free-form competitions like F2W at white belt level.
• Build a habit of competing 2 to 4 times a year.

Blue belt and above (year 2+)

• IBJJF Pans, Euros, regional Opens.
• For the competition track: target Worlds qualification, work toward ADCC Trials in your 5th year or later.

Black belt

• IBJJF Worlds, ADCC Trials, WNO, F2W, Polaris.
• Professional submission grappling becomes a realistic income stream for top competitors via contracts with FloGrappling, ONE, and others.

For more on the path through the belts and what each level demands, see our BJJ belt system and jiu-jitsu belts guides.

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest BJJ tournament in the world? IBJJF Worlds is the biggest gi BJJ tournament. ADCC Worlds is the biggest no-gi event, held every two years. The Craig Jones Invitational pays the highest prize money.

How often is ADCC held? Every two years. The most recent editions were in 2022 and 2024 in Las Vegas. See our What is ADCC explainer for the full format.

Where is IBJJF Worlds held? The annual IBJJF World Championship is held in Long Beach, California.

How much prize money does CJI pay? The Craig Jones Invitational launched in 2024 with a $1 million tournament prize purse, plus additional purses for superfights. This is the highest single-event prize money in BJJ history.

How do I qualify for ADCC? Either through direct invitation (reserved for elite-level grapplers) or by winning your region's ADCC Trials.

Can amateur BJJ practitioners compete in professional events? Most professional events (WNO, Polaris, CJI) are invitation-only. IBJJF Worlds and Pans are open to any IBJJF member at the appropriate belt level. F2W has open submission cards at multiple belt levels.

What is the difference between IBJJF and ADCC rules? IBJJF uses points-based scoring throughout the match. ADCC has negative-scoring only in the first half and positive scoring in the second half, encouraging more aggressive submission hunting.

What is the most prestigious BJJ title? IBJJF World Champion (gi) for traditional BJJ. ADCC World Champion (no-gi) for submission grappling. Both are considered career-defining accomplishments.

Can I make a living competing in BJJ? A small number of elite competitors do, via contracts with FloGrappling, ONE Championship, UFC Fight Pass, plus prize money from CJI and other events. For most grapplers, competition is supplemental to teaching, coaching or other work.

The bottom line

The BJJ competition landscape is healthier than ever. IBJJF still anchors the gi scene; ADCC still anchors no-gi. WNO, Polaris, F2W, CJI and ONE Championship all give pro grapplers more platforms and more income than at any previous point in the sport's history.

If you compete, the path is local opens, then regional IBJJF, then international events as your level and credentials build. If you watch, FloGrappling and UFC Fight Pass cover most of the major events.

For more on the elite end of the sport, see our profiles of Gordon Ryan, Andre Galvao, Mikey Musumeci, and the New Wave Jiu-Jitsu team. For the full ADCC breakdown, see What is ADCC.