Charlotte Fall Kids International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026
Organized by IBJJF
The Charlotte Fall Kids International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship will take place on October 11, 2026, at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord, North Carolina. This event is organized by IBJJF and will feature gi competition under IBJJF rules.
Event Description
IBJJF's Charlotte Fall Kids International Open follows the federation's youth-focused ruleset, with 22 total age divisions across the organization's calendar and standard points-and-advantages scoring adapted for younger competitors. Weigh-ins are strict and one-attempt only, and gis must be white, black, or royal blue in IBJJF-approved fabric weight -- families should double-check sizing and compliance before the event to avoid a same-day disqualification. This gi-only kids championship takes place Sunday, October 11, 2026, at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord, North Carolina. An active annual IBJJF membership plus event registration is required through ibjjf.com.
Divisions
Registration deadline: October 2, 2026
Venue & travel
4751 NC Highway 49, Concord, NC 28025
About $10/car for ticketed events, cashless (card only), 3,000+ on-site spaces, no tailgating.
Nearest airport: Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) — about 20-30 minutes by car.
Concord sits northeast of Charlotte off I-85.
About IBJJF
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), founded in 2002 and headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is widely regarded as the largest and most prominent sanctioning body in competitive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It organizes the sport's most prestigious tournaments, including the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship, European Open, and World No-Gi Championship, drawing thousands of competitors to its largest events each year.
Rules
IBJJF rules are the standard most BJJ competition rules descend from. Matches are scored on positional progress: 2 points for a takedown, sweep, or knee-on-belly; 3 points for passing the guard; and 4 points for mount, back mount, or back control with hooks. Advantages are awarded for near-scores and close submission attempts and act as the first tiebreaker, followed by penalties and finally referee decision. Match length scales with rank, from 5 minutes for adult white belts up to 10 minutes for black belts.
Legal techniques expand with age and belt. White belts face the tightest restrictions (no wrist locks, slicers, or kneebars); jump to purple and brown/black and more leg attacks and pressure submissions open up. Since the 2021 rule change, heel hooks and inside knee reaping are legal — but only in the adult brown/black no-gi divisions. Kids divisions run shorter matches with a much more restrictive legal-technique list.
Uniform rules are enforced: gis must be white, royal blue, or black, properly fitted, with a rank-appropriate belt; no-gi divisions require rash guards displaying the competitor's belt color. Referees can disqualify for illegal gear, so check the uniform checklist before stepping on the scale.
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 Charlotte Fall Kids International Open?
- Sunday, October 11, 2026, at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord, NC.
- Who can compete?
- This is a kids-focused IBJJF gi championship for youth age divisions.
- Do kids need an IBJJF membership?
- Yes, an active annual IBJJF membership plus event registration is required for every competitor.
- What gi is required?
- White, black, or royal blue in IBJJF-approved fabric weight.
- What happens if my child misses weight?
- IBJJF weigh-ins allow one attempt only; missing weight results in disqualification.
BJJ gyms near Concord, NC
Looking for a place to train before or after the tournament?
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