NAGA Atlanta Grappling Championship
Organized by NAGA
October 17, 2026 in Atlanta — NAGA's grappling championship runs gi and no-gi divisions across all belts, with absolute brackets and championship belts for adult winners.
Event Description
NAGA's Atlanta stop brings gi, no-gi, and absolute divisions to Georgia under the circuit's open-to-all-grappling-styles format. Competitors are grouped by skill level (Beginner through Expert) rather than strict belt rank, and NAGA's no-gi rules are more permissive than standard BJJ, including allowances for leg locks. The championship takes place Saturday, October 17, 2026, in Atlanta, GA, with divisions for ages 3 through 63-plus. Adult division champions take home a NAGA championship belt, and entry fees are tiered, cheaper the earlier you register. Sign up through NAGA's Smoothcomp portal linked from nagafighter.com.
Divisions
Registration deadline: October 16, 2026
About NAGA
NAGA (North American Grappling Association) is a submission grappling and BJJ tournament promotion founded in 1995 by Kipp Kollar. One of the oldest and highest-volume tournament circuits in the sport, it runs gi and no-gi events across the US nearly every weekend, with divisions from age 4 through adult, using its own Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced/Expert skill-level system for no-gi divisions.
Rules
NAGA (North American Grappling Association) runs one of the largest grappling tournament circuits in the world, with gi and no-gi divisions for kids, teens, adults, and masters at every event. Divisions are grouped by age, weight, and experience level rather than strictly by belt in no-gi, and novice kids divisions do not allow submissions — the legal-technique list expands as competitors age up and move to more advanced divisions.
The no-gi divisions use NAGA's own ruleset, which differs from IBJJF scoring in a few important ways: takedowns and sweeps score 2 points (with extra points when a sweep finishes in a dominant position), and submission attempts themselves can score 1–2 points depending on how close they come to finishing. There are no advantages — if a match is tied, the referee decides it on aggression and initiation, rewarding whoever pushed the action hardest.
Gi divisions run under a more traditional points structure closely based on standard IBJJF-style scoring, so gi competitors will find the positional point values familiar. Because the gi and no-gi rules genuinely differ, competitors entering both should read both sections of the NAGA rulebook.
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 NAGA Atlanta?
- Saturday, October 17, 2026, in Atlanta, GA.
- How are adult divisions organized?
- By skill level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert) rather than a strict belt system.
- Are leg locks allowed?
- NAGA's no-gi ruleset permits leg locks not allowed at many other circuits.
- What ages can compete?
- NAGA divisions span age 3 through 63 and up.
- How do I register?
- Through NAGA's Smoothcomp portal at naga.smoothcomp.com/en/event/32994; entry fees are tiered and rise closer to the event.
BJJ gyms near Atlanta, GA
Looking for a place to train before or after the tournament?
More tournaments in Georgia
- NEWBREED SAVANNAH SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIP 2026Aug 22 · Savannah
- JJWL AtlantaAug 22 · Atlanta
- FUJI BJJ Chattanooga Fall ChampionshipAug 29 · Dalton
- United Grappling Atlanta - August 29Aug 29 · Atlanta
- NEWBREED GLOBAL GRAPPLING CHAMPIONSHIP MACON GA 2026Sep 12 · Macon
- FUJI BJJ Augusta Fall ChampionshipSep 12 · Augusta
Competing here?
Add this tournament to your passport so you can log your result after the event. (You still need to register with the organizer separately.)
Competing for the first time?
Is this your tournament? Update your listing.