PBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026
Organized by PBJJF
The PBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship will take place on October 24, 2026, at the APGFCU Arena in Bel Air, Maryland. This event will feature both Gi and NoGi competitions governed by IBJJF rules.
Event Description
PBJJF -- the Professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation -- runs its World Jiu-Jitsu Championship under IBJJF-style rules and uniform requirements, including strict gi pants regulations for men and permitted compression layers for women, plus rashguard requirements for no-gi competitors. It's one of PBJJF's marquee events on the fall calendar, drawing gi and no-gi competitors from across the mid-Atlantic. This year's championship takes place October 24, 2026, at the APGFCU Arena at Harford Community College in Bel Air, MD, with divisions open to all ages and belt levels in both gi and no-gi. Registration runs through PBJJF's Smoothcomp event page, linked on Let's Roll.
Divisions
Registration deadline: October 21, 2026
About PBJJF
PBJJF (the Professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) is a Brazil-rooted federation running gi and no-gi championships across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, including its flagship Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship, with its own ranking and academy-affiliation system.
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 PBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026?
- October 24, 2026, at the APGFCU Arena at Harford Community College in Bel Air, MD.
- Is this gi, no-gi, or both?
- Both -- the event runs separate gi and no-gi divisions.
- What ruleset does PBJJF use?
- An IBJJF-style points and uniform system, including specific gi pants and no-gi rashguard requirements.
- What ages and belts can compete?
- All ages and belt levels.
- How do I register?
- Through the PBJJF Smoothcomp registration link on Let's Roll.
BJJ gyms near Bel Air, MD
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