2026 San Jose Open
Organized by Judo United
The 2026 San Jose Open brings judo competition to San Jose, CA on September 19, 2026, with divisions for all ages and ranks.
Event Description
The San Jose Open is Judo United's marquee national event, recognized by USA Judo as a point tournament for junior and senior competitors. Since its 2023 debut — the largest first-time judo event ever held in the US, with nearly 900 entries — the tournament has grown each year, drawing close to 1,000 competitors from more than 80 clubs nationwide in its most recent editions. The 2026 edition runs September 19-20, 2026 in San Jose, California, with divisions for athletes of all ages and skill levels, from novices to elite national-level competitors. Registration is available through Judo United's Smoothcomp event page linked on this listing.
Rules
Judo matches are decided by ippon — a full-point score that ends the match instantly. Ippon is awarded for a throw that lands the opponent largely on their back with speed and control, for a 20-second pin (osaekomi), or for a submission by strangle or armlock in the senior divisions. Lesser throws and shorter pins score waza-ari, and two waza-ari combine to make ippon.
Modern judo rules (based on the International Judo Federation rulebook) prohibit grabbing the legs in standing exchanges, and passivity or rule infractions draw shido penalties — accumulate three and the match is lost by hansoku-make. Armlocks and chokes are age-restricted, so junior divisions are typically throws-and-pins only.
Judo tournaments in the United States are generally sanctioned by USA Judo, USJA, or USJF, all of which follow IJF-based competition rules with local modifications for youth and novice divisions. Check the event's sanctioning body and division rules before registering.
Always confirm the official rulebook before you compete — organizations update rules between seasons. See the official event page for current rules.
Community results
No results logged yet. Results show up here once competitors log them after the event.
Frequently asked questions
- When and where is the 2026 San Jose Open?
- September 19-20, 2026 in San Jose, California.
- Who organizes it?
- Judo United, with the event recognized by USA Judo as a marquee national point tournament.
- How big is the event?
- Recent editions have drawn close to 1,000 competitors from more than 80 clubs nationwide.
- Is it beginner-friendly?
- Yes, divisions run from novice through elite national-level competitors.
- How do I register?
- Register through Judo United's Smoothcomp event page linked on this listing.
BJJ gyms near San Jose, CA
Looking for a place to train before or after the tournament?
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