NAGA Louisville Grappling Championship
Organized by NAGA
The NAGA Louisville Grappling Championship is set for January 9, 2027. This tournament will feature both Gi and No-Gi competitions for various age groups and skill levels.
Event Description
The NAGA Louisville Grappling Championship is organized by the North American Grappling Association (NAGA) and features both Gi and No-Gi competitions. This event is open to grapplers of all skill levels and ages, offering divisions for Adults, Kids, Teens, Masters, and Absolute competitors under the NAGA ruleset. The tournament will take place on Saturday, January 9, 2027, at the Kentucky Exposition Center East Hall A and B, located at 937 Phillips Ln, Louisville, KY 40209. The lowest standard entry fee is $119, and registration is available through the link on this page. Competitors can register at different price points depending on the registration period, with additional fees for extra divisions.
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 NAGA Louisville Grappling Championship?
- The NAGA Louisville Grappling Championship is on Saturday, January 9, 2027, at the Kentucky Exposition Center East Hall A and B, located at 937 Phillips Ln, Louisville, KY 40209.
- What is the cost to compete?
- The lowest standard entry fee is $119, with varying prices based on the registration period and additional fees for extra divisions.
- What divisions are offered?
- Divisions include Adult, Kids, Teens, Masters, Gi, No-Gi, and Absolute.
- How do I register?
- Registration is available through the link on this page.
- What is the ruleset for the event?
- The event follows the NAGA ruleset.
BJJ gyms near Louisville, KY, United States
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