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Gym network

Gracie Barra gyms

Gracie Barra is the largest BJJ franchise, with over 1,000 schools teaching one shared curriculum. 33 Gracie Barra academies in 32 cities are listed below, ordered by our editorial rank.

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Carlos Gracie Jr. opened the first Gracie Barra academy in 1986 in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro. The team moved its headquarters to Southern California in 2005 and grew into the largest network in jiu-jitsu, with more than 1,000 schools on six continents by its own count.

What training at Gracie Barra is like

Gracie Barra is a franchise rather than a loose affiliation, so classes look similar from city to city. Beginners start in GB1 Fundamentals, which covers basic positions, escapes and self-defense. Students move on to GB2 Advanced and later GB3, and every program runs on a 16-week cycle, so you can join at any point and see each technique again later.

The school rules are stricter than at most gyms. Students wear the official GB uniform with matching top and pants and a GB rash guard underneath, bow to the photo of Carlos Gracie Sr., and call black belts "Professor". Ask about a loaner gi before your first class.

Competition record

Gracie Barra won 7 adult male team titles at the IBJJF World Championship between 1996 and 2007, and produced champions such as Roger Gracie, Rômulo Barral and Kyra Gracie. Today the franchise focuses more on its school network than on team titles.

Gracie Barra in United States (20)

  1. 2Gracie Barra HeadquartersIrvine, California, United States · Gracie BarraFlagship hub of the Gracie Barra academy network, known for structured curricula and global affiliates.
  2. 26Gracie Barra Westlake HillsAustin, Texas, United States · Gracie BarraGracie Barra's Westlake Hills school on Bee Caves Rd, west Austin, with Professor Alexandre "Dande" Santos. Adults, kids, women's, competition class, free trial.
  3. 29Gracie Barra NYCNew York, New York, United States · Gracie BarraNew York Gracie Barra location for structured curriculum training in Manhattan’s dense BJJ scene.
  4. 35Gracie Barra ChicagoChicago, Illinois, United States · Gracie BarraGracie Barra's West Loop school at 630 W Lake St, led by 2002 world champion Carlos Lemos Jr. All-levels fundamentals, kids, teens and trial classes.
  5. 38Gracie Barra South MiamiMiami, Florida, United States · Gracie BarraGracie Barra's school on SW 56th St in western Miami-Dade. Kids, women's, fundamentals, advanced and expert programs, with a free first class.
  6. 41Gracie Barra WestchaseHouston, Texas, United States · Gracie BarraGracie Barra's west Houston school, run since 2011 by Ulpiano Malachias, a black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. Gi and no-gi, kids, wrestling and MMA.
  7. 44Gracie Barra DallasDallas, Texas, United States · Gracie BarraDallas-area Gracie Barra affiliate for curriculum-based gi and no-gi classes.
  8. 60Gracie Barra NorthridgeLos Angeles, California, United States · Gracie BarraRomulo Barral's San Fernando Valley school on Nordhoff St, open since 2011. Large kids program (ages 4 to 15), women's and adult classes, and a free trial.
  9. 61Gracie Barra SeattleSeattle, Washington, United States · Gracie BarraGracie Barra's SoDo school on S Hanford St, with early-morning, lunchtime and evening classes. Kids, women's, fundamentals, advanced (with no-gi) and expert.
  10. 63Gracie Barra DenverDenver, Colorado, United States · Gracie BarraGracie Barra school at 4495 Washington St, Denver, led by Valerio Ubaldini. GB1 beginners, gi and no-gi, women and kids 3–15; first class free.
  11. 65Gracie Barra North PhoenixPhoenix, Arizona, United States · Gracie BarraGracie Barra's north Phoenix school on W Deer Valley Rd, opened in 2017 with Flavio Almeida, a fourth-degree black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. Early classes.
  12. 68Gracie Barra West Las VegasLas Vegas, Nevada, United States · Gracie BarraGracie Barra's southwest Las Vegas school on S Grand Canyon Dr, with black belts Armand Silvestre and James Craig Selby. Evening classes and a free first class.
  13. 70Gracie Barra San FranciscoSan Francisco, California, United States · Gracie BarraSan Francisco Gracie Barra affiliate in the Bay Area’s dense training market.
  14. 72Gracie Barra BostonBoston, Massachusetts, United States · Gracie BarraGracie Barra's Allston school at 971 Commonwealth Ave, led by Alexandre Costa. Fundamentals, advanced, black belt, women's and kids classes, free first class.
  15. 74Gracie Barra PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States · Gracie BarraPhiladelphia Gracie Barra affiliate in the Mid-Atlantic.
  16. 76Gracie Barra Washington DCWashington, District of Columbia, United States · Gracie BarraWashington, D.C. Gracie Barra affiliate for the capital region.
  17. 78Gracie Barra OrlandoOrlando, Florida, United States · Gracie BarraFounded in the 1990s by Marcio Simas, a student of Rolls Gracie and Carlos Gracie Jr. Gi jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and MMA in southwest Orlando.
  18. 80Gracie Barra Citrus Park TampaTampa, Florida, United States · Gracie BarraGracie Barra's northwest Tampa school on Gunn Hwy, led by third-degree black belt Ivan Rocha, a 2013 London Open champion. Adult tiers, kids jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai.
  19. 81Gracie Barra Sorrento ValleySan Diego, California, United States · Gracie BarraGracie Barra school on Mira Mesa Blvd, Sorrento Valley, owned by black belt Amit Shaunak, who has trained in San Diego since 2001. Lunch and evening classes.
  20. 87Gracie Barra BrooklynNew York, New York, United States · Gracie BarraBrooklyn Gracie Barra option for New York students outside Manhattan.

Gracie Barra in Australia (2)

  1. 52Gracie Barra SydneySydney, New South Wales, Australia · Gracie BarraGracie Barra's Oceania headquarters in Frenchs Forest, led since 2002 by sixth-degree black belt Marcelo Rezende. Kids, women's and adult tiers, free first class.
  2. 54Gracie Barra Hoppers CrossingMelbourne, Victoria, Australia · Gracie BarraGracie Barra's premium school for Victoria, in Hoppers Crossing, west Melbourne. Black belts Ihsan Rehman and James Ward, evening classes, kids, free first class.

Gracie Barra in Brazil (2)

  1. 20Gracie Barra Rio (Matriz)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil · Gracie BarraThe original Gracie Barra school in Barra da Tijuca, founded by Carlos Gracie Jr. in 1986 and run since 2009 by world champion Jefferson Moura. Tuesday hard training.
  2. 91Gracie Barra São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil · Gracie BarraSão Paulo Gracie Barra school in Brazil’s largest metro grappling market.

Gracie Barra in Canada (2)

  1. 49Gracie Barra West Downtown TorontoToronto, Ontario, Canada · Gracie BarraGracie Barra's King West school on Adelaide St W, opened in 2018 by fourth-degree black belt Alexandre "Carioca". Early classes, no-gi, competition and kids.
  2. 51Gracie Barra VancouverVancouver, British Columbia, Canada · Gracie BarraVancouver Gracie Barra affiliate on Canada’s West Coast.

Gracie Barra in France (1)

  1. 57Gracie Barra ParisParis, France · Gracie BarraGracie Barra's Paris academy, on two sites in the 15th and 17th arrondissements, built by black belts Rattinho Eliaquim and Julien Cazier. Trial class at either site.

Gracie Barra in Germany (1)

  1. 59Gracie Barra BerlinBerlin, Germany · Gracie BarraBerlin Gracie Barra affiliate serving Germany’s capital BJJ community.

Gracie Barra in Japan (1)

  1. 55Gracie Barra TokyoTokyo, Japan · Gracie BarraTokyo Gracie Barra affiliate connecting Japan’s BJJ community to a global curriculum.

Gracie Barra in Singapore (1)

  1. 100Gracie Barra SingaporeSingapore, Singapore · Gracie BarraBugis jiu-jitsu school led by black belt Bruno Amorim, a student of Draculino. Gi and no-gi, women's program, kids from age 2.5, open seven days a week.

Gracie Barra in Spain (1)

  1. 96Gracie Barra MadridMadrid, Spain · Gracie BarraGracie Barra Madrid, taught by third-degree black belt Carlos Mediero inside Gimnasio Madrid 91, Fuencarral-El Pardo. No published timetable.

Gracie Barra in United Arab Emirates (1)

  1. 98Gracie Barra Dubai (Nadd Al Hamar)Dubai, United Arab Emirates · Gracie BarraGracie Barra school in Nadd Al Hamar, Dubai. Kids and teens, adults, women's and advanced jiu-jitsu, plus Muay Thai and kids MMA, with an introductory session.

Gracie Barra in United Kingdom (1)

  1. 46Gracie Barra TootingLondon, United Kingdom · Gracie BarraGracie Barra school on Mitcham Rd, Tooting, south London. Adults, kids and teens, women-only classes, no-gi and open mats, with an intro session for beginners.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Gracie Barra schools are there?

Gracie Barra says it has over 1,000 schools across six continents. Open BJJ lists a selection of them by city.

Who founded Gracie Barra?

Carlos Gracie Jr. founded Gracie Barra in 1986 in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro. The headquarters moved to Southern California in 2005.

Do I need a Gracie Barra gi to train there?

Usually yes. Gracie Barra asks students and visitors to wear the official GB uniform, with a GB rash guard or shirt under the gi, and black GB shorts and rash guard for no-gi. Ask the school about loaner gis for a first trial class.

What is GB1 and GB2 at Gracie Barra?

GB1 is the fundamentals program for beginners, covering basic positions and self-defense. GB2 is the advanced program, and GB3 is for experienced students. Each follows a 16-week cycle of techniques.