NAGA Charlotte Grappling Championship
Organized by NAGA
November 7, 2026 in Charlotte — 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 Charlotte-proper event (distinct from the Hickory stop the same month) runs the circuit's familiar skill-level no-gi divisions and belt-based gi divisions, open to competitors from any grappling background. Kids, adult, and masters brackets round out the card. The championship takes place November 7, 2026, in Charlotte, NC, with gi, no-gi, and kids divisions for ages 3 to 63+. Championship belts go to adult division winners. Registration is through naga.smoothcomp.com, linked on Let's Roll.
Divisions
Registration deadline: November 6, 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 the NAGA Charlotte Grappling Championship?
- November 7, 2026, in Charlotte, NC.
- Is this the same event as NAGA Charlotte in Hickory?
- No, this is a separate NAGA stop held in Charlotte proper.
- What divisions are offered?
- Gi, no-gi, and kids divisions for ages 3 to 63+.
- Do adult winners get anything special?
- Yes, NAGA championship belts.
- How do I register?
- Through naga.smoothcomp.com.
BJJ gyms near Charlotte, NC
Looking for a place to train before or after the tournament?
More tournaments in North Carolina
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- NEWBREED CHARLOTTE SAMURAI SERIESAug 29 · Indian Trail
- United Grappling Charlotte NC - August 29Aug 29 · Charlotte
- Tap Cancer Out 2026 Raleigh BJJ OpenSep 5 · Raleigh
- Smokey Mountain Judo ShiaiSep 5 · Cherokee
- Smokey Mountain Judo Kosen Judo ShiqaSep 5 · Charlotte
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