NAGA Charlotte Grappling & BJJ Championship (November)
Organized by NAGA
Absolute division brackets are available at this NAGA Charlotte event in Hickory on November 7, 2026. The tournament runs gi and no-gi competition across all belt and age levels, with championship belts for adult division winners. Registration is open online.
Event Description
NAGA's November Charlotte-area stop runs in Hickory, NC, keeping the circuit's signature skill-level divisions for no-gi (Beginner through Expert) and belt-based gi divisions, open to grapplers of any background. Kids divisions round out the card alongside adult and masters brackets. The event is held November 7, 2026, in Hickory, NC, with gi, no-gi, and kids divisions for ages 3 to 63+. Adult division winners earn NAGA championship belts. Register through naga.smoothcomp.com, linked on Let's Roll.
Divisions
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 & BJJ Championship (November)?
- November 7, 2026, in Hickory, NC.
- What divisions are offered?
- Gi, no-gi, and kids divisions, grouped by skill level (no-gi) or belt (gi).
- What ages compete?
- 3 to 63+.
- Do adult winners get a prize?
- Yes, championship belts for adult division winners.
- How do I register?
- Through naga.smoothcomp.com.
BJJ gyms near Hickory, NC
Looking for a place to train before or after the tournament?
More tournaments in North Carolina
- NEWBREED CHARLOTTE SAMURAI SERIESAug 29 · Indian Trail
- United Grappling Charlotte NC - August 29Aug 29 · Charlotte
- Smokey Mountain Judo Kosen Judo ShiqaSep 5 · Charlotte
- Tap Cancer Out 2026 Raleigh BJJ OpenSep 5 · Raleigh
- Smokey Mountain Judo ShiaiSep 5 · Cherokee
- NAGA Greensboro Grappling & BJJ ChampionshipSep 19 · Greensboro
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.