10 Best BJJ Gyms in Chicago (2026)
Ranked by the Let's Roll Roll Score™ · Updated May 2026
Chicago BJJ Snapshot
Why Chicago for BJJ
Chicago is one of Illinois's deepest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu scenes, anchored by Taylor Biagi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club Chicago, and Supreme JIU JITSU Chicago Idriz Redzovic. It has 31 academies and 72 weekly open mats listed on Let's Roll.
Quick Picks
Where the Top 10 Are
Pins are numbered by Roll Score rank. Tap a pin for the gym.
The Rankings
- 1West TownGoogle5.0(233)1 open mat/wkHigh confidence
Why #1: Highest-rated gym in Chicago — 5.0★ across 233 reviews.
Best for: Travelers dropping in.
- 2The LoopGoogle5.0(183)$35 drop-inHigh confidence
Why #2: One of the most-reviewed gyms in Chicago — 183 reviews at 5.0★.
Best for: No-gi & submission grapplers and brand-new beginners.
- 3Lincoln ParkGoogle4.9(156)10 open mats/wkHigh confidence
Why #3: Busiest open-mat schedule in the top 10 — 10 a week.
Best for: No-gi & submission grapplers, brand-new beginners, and kids & families.
- 4Redzovic Jiu Jitsu Chicago92EliteLincoln SquareGoogle4.9(128)3 open mats/wkHigh confidence
Why #4: 4.9★ from 128 reviews — a consistently well-reviewed Chicago academy.
Best for: Travelers dropping in.
- 5Southside Jiu Jitsu Club91EliteWoodlawnGoogle4.9(118)5 open mats/wkHigh confidence
Why #5: 4.9★ from 118 reviews — a consistently well-reviewed Chicago academy.
Best for: Competitors, kids & families, and travelers dropping in.
- 6Brazil 021 BJJ - Jiu-Jitsu in Chicago89ExcellentUkrainian VillageGoogle4.9(66)High confidence
Why #6: 4.9★ from 66 reviews — a consistently well-reviewed Chicago academy.
Best for: Anyone after a consistently well-reviewed Chicago gym (4.9★).
- 7Gracie Barra Chicago - Jiu Jitsu Classes88ExcellentWest LoopGoogle4.9(64)High confidence
Why #7: A Gracie Barra academy — 4.9★ across 64 reviews.
Best for: Kids & families.
- 8North Side Brazilian Jiu Jitsu88ExcellentPortage ParkGoogle4.9(56)4 open mats/wkHigh confidence
Why #8: Runs the most no-gi classes in the top 10 — a strong no-gi pick.
Best for: No-gi & submission grapplers, kids & families, and travelers dropping in.
- 9CombatZone Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA87ExcellentBeverlyGoogle4.9(52)High confidence
Why #9: 4.9★ from 52 reviews — a consistently well-reviewed Chicago academy.
Best for: Anyone after a consistently well-reviewed Chicago gym (4.9★).
- 10Valko Jiu Jitsu Studio87ExcellentAvondaleGoogle5.0(32)4 open mats/wkSolid confidence
Why #10: 5.0★ from 32 reviews — a consistently well-reviewed Chicago academy.
Best for: No-gi & submission grapplers, kids & families, and travelers dropping in.
Compare All Top 10
| Gym | Area | Roll Score | Rating | Reviews | Drop-In |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor Biagi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu | West Town | 96Elite | 5.0 | 233 | — |
| Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club Chicago | The Loop | 96Elite | 5.0 | 183 | $35 |
| Supreme JIU JITSU Chicago Idriz Redzovic | Lincoln Park | 93Elite | 4.9 | 156 | — |
| Redzovic Jiu Jitsu Chicago | Lincoln Square | 92Elite | 4.9 | 128 | — |
| Southside Jiu Jitsu Club | Woodlawn | 91Elite | 4.9 | 118 | — |
| Brazil 021 BJJ - Jiu-Jitsu in Chicago | Ukrainian Village | 89Excellent | 4.9 | 66 | — |
| Gracie Barra Chicago - Jiu Jitsu Classes | West Loop | 88Excellent | 4.9 | 64 | — |
| North Side Brazilian Jiu Jitsu | Portage Park | 88Excellent | 4.9 | 56 | — |
| CombatZone Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA | Beverly | 87Excellent | 4.9 | 52 | — |
| Valko Jiu Jitsu Studio | Avondale | 87Excellent | 5.0 | 32 | — |
Which Chicago Gym Fits You?
Answer a few quick questions and we'll match you to the best-fit gym from the top 10.
Plan Your BJJ Weekend in Chicago
Pick the days you're in town — we'll build a roll-every-day itinerary with times, drop-in costs, and directions.
Your plan: 3 sessions across 3 gyms in Chicago.
Train This Weekend in Chicago
The best open mats, no-gi sessions, and drop-in-friendly rounds, Friday through Sunday.
📅 Friday
- Double Five BJJ — Open Mat · 6:00 AM
- Valko Jiu Jitsu Studio — Open Mat · 7:00 AM
- Valko Jiu Jitsu Studio — Open Mat BJJ at Valko Academy (River North Location) · 7:00 AM
- Redzovic Jiu Jitsu Chicago — Open Mat · 10:00 AM
- North Side Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — Gi & No-Gi Adults Open Mat · 10:00 AM
📅 Saturday
- Krav Maga Force — Open Mat · 8:00 AM
- Vianna Brothers Brazilian BJJ Academy — Open Mat · 10:00 AM
- Double Five BJJ — Open Mat · 10:00 AM
- Pure Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — Kids Open Mat · 10:30 AM
- Carlson Gracie Brazilian BJJ — Open Mat · 11:00 AM
📅 Sunday
- Lakeside Brazilian BJJ — Open Mat · 9:00 AM
- Vianna Brothers Brazilian BJJ Academy — Open Mat · 10:00 AM
- North Side Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — Open Mat · 10:00 AM
- Molinaro Brazilian BJJ — Open Mat · 10:00 AM
- Project Achilles - Mixed Martial Arts - BJJ - Self Defense — Open Mat · 10:00 AM
Frequently asked
- How many BJJ gyms are in Chicago?
- Let's Roll lists 31 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms in Chicago, Illinois. The top 10 are ranked above by Roll Score.
- Which is the best-rated BJJ gym in Chicago?
- Taylor Biagi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has the highest rating in Chicago at 5.0★ across 233 Google reviews.
- What's the cheapest drop-in in Chicago?
- Among the top gyms, Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club Chicago has the lowest published drop-in at $35. Prices in the area vary; many gyms offer a free first class.
- Where are the best open mats in Chicago?
- There are 72 weekly open mats across 23 gyms in Chicago. See "Train This Weekend" above for what's on this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- What's the best BJJ gym for beginners in Chicago?
- Supreme JIU JITSU Chicago Idriz Redzovic is a strong beginner pick — it runs dedicated fundamentals classes and carries one of the highest Roll Scores in Chicago.
How the Roll Score™ works
The Roll Score is Let's Roll's ranking metric, from 0 to 100. It's 80% a confidence-weighted Google rating (using a Wilson score, so a 5.0 from 3 reviews can't outrank a 4.8 from 600) and 20% review volume. As verified Let's Roll member reviews and check-ins grow, they'll factor in too. Rankings recompute regularly — last updated May 2026.