Skip to content

Editorial ranking

Top 50 BJJ Gyms

Expanded editorial shortlist spanning flagship HQs and major-city affiliates. Use city pages when you want a local shortlist.

Top 10 gymsGyms by cityFull directory
  1. 1Alliance Jiu-Jitsu São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil · AllianceHistoric Alliance headquarters and one of the most decorated competition environments in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
  2. 2Gracie Barra HeadquartersIrvine, California, United States · Gracie BarraFlagship hub of the Gracie Barra academy network, known for structured curricula and global affiliates.
  3. 3Atos Jiu-Jitsu HeadquartersSan Diego, California, United States · AtosSan Diego headquarters of Atos, a modern competition powerhouse in gi and no-gi.
  4. 4Checkmat HeadquartersSignal Hill, California, United States · CheckmatCheckmat’s Southern California headquarters and a frequent presence near the top of IBJJF academy rankings.
  5. 5Art of Jiu JitsuCosta Mesa, California, United States · AOJThe Mendes brothers' AOJ in Costa Mesa, home of Tainan Dalpra, Jessa Khan and the Funegra sisters. Guest passes from $100 a day; trials for OC locals.
  6. 610th Planet HeadquartersLos Angeles, California, United States · 10th PlanetEddie Bravo’s no-gi headquarters, known for rubber guard systems and a distinct instructional culture.
  7. 7New Wave Jiu-JitsuAustin, Texas, United States · New WaveAustin-based team associated with John Danaher and elite modern no-gi competitors.
  8. 8B-Team Jiu-JitsuAustin, Texas, United States · B-TeamAustin no-gi competition gym closely associated with Craig Jones and a high-level training room.
  9. 9Kingsway HeadquartersAustin, Texas, United States · KingswayAustin academy associated with Gordon Ryan’s Kingsway brand and modern no-gi systems training.
  10. 10Renzo Gracie AcademyNew York, New York, United States · Renzo GracieManhattan flagship of Renzo Gracie’s network, long associated with elite competitors and MMA crossovers.
  11. 11Marcelo Garcia AcademyNew York, New York, United States · Marcelo GarciaNew York academy founded by Marcelo Garcia, known for butterfly guard and back-attack culture.
  12. 12Unity Jiu-JitsuNew York, New York, United States · UnityNew York competition academy known for a deep adult gi and no-gi training room.
  13. 13GF Team HeadquartersRio de Janeiro, Brazil · GF TeamRio-based competition team frequently ranked among IBJJF’s top academies.
  14. 14Nova União HeadquartersRio de Janeiro, Brazil · Nova UniãoHistoric Rio team known for BJJ and MMA crossover athletes.
  15. 15Carlson Gracie TeamRio de Janeiro, Brazil · Carlson GracieClassic Rio lineage team associated with pressure passing and competitive toughness.
  16. 16Cicero Costha HQSão Paulo, Brazil · Cicero CosthaCícero Costha's headquarters in Ipiranga, home of the Lutando Pelo Bem social project that produced the Miyao brothers. Levelled gi and no-gi, competition and kids from 4.
  17. 17Dream ArtSão Paulo, Brazil · Dream ArtSão Paulo competition team regularly appearing in IBJJF top academy rankings.
  18. 18Fratres Brazilian Jiu-JitsuSão Paulo, Brazil · FratresCompetition-focused Brazilian team ranked among IBJJF’s top academies in recent seasons.
  19. 19Roger Gracie AcademyLondon, United Kingdom · Roger GracieRoger Gracie's Hammersmith headquarters, co-led with his father Mauricio Gomes. Gi, no-gi, kids and kickboxing, open seven days, with a free intro class and visitor passes.
  20. 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.
  21. 21Alliance Jiu Jitsu Atlanta (HQ)Atlanta, Georgia, United States · AllianceAlliance's American headquarters in Sandy Springs, north Atlanta, led by co-founder Romero "Jacaré" Cavalcanti. 8,000 sq ft, three mats, kids from age 5.
  22. 22Jungle BJJ PrahaPrague, Czech Republic · Jungle BJJPrague's first BJJ academy, led by Fernando Araujo. It moved to Karlín in September 2026 and is a members' club, so arrange visits in advance.
  23. 2310th Planet San DiegoSan Diego, California, United States · 10th PlanetThe Martinez brothers' 10th Planet 'Freak Show' in Grantville, San Diego. No-gi, wrestling, MMA, women's classes, open rolls and a full-day guest pass.
  24. 24Atos RioRio de Janeiro, Brazil · AtosBrazilian Atos affiliate representing the team’s competition identity outside San Diego HQ.
  25. 25Checkmat São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil · CheckmatSão Paulo Checkmat school tied to the Vieira brothers’ competitive lineage.
  26. 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.
  27. 27Alliance AustinAustin, Texas, United States · AllianceAustin Alliance affiliate bringing the team’s competition culture to Central Texas.
  28. 2810th Planet AustinAustin, Texas, United States · 10th Planet10th Planet's Austin HQ on Freidrich Ln, southeast Austin, led by black belt Gabe Tuttle. No-gi seven days a week from early morning, with a free first class.
  29. 29Gracie Barra NYCNew York, New York, United States · Gracie BarraNew York Gracie Barra location for structured curriculum training in Manhattan’s dense BJJ scene.
  30. 30Alliance NYCNew York, New York, United States · AllianceNew York Alliance affiliate in one of the world’s densest grappling cities.
  31. 31Vagner Rocha Martial ArtsTampa, Florida, United States · Vagner RochaFlorida academy led by Vagner Rocha, blending high-level BJJ and MMA preparation.
  32. 32Caio Terra AcademySan Jose, California, United States · Caio TerraCaio Terra's San Jose HQ: fundamentals, no-gi, kids, teens and family classes. Drop-ins $40 a day or $125 a week; trials for Bay Area locals only.
  33. 33Lovato Jiu-JitsuOklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States · LovatoOklahoma City's first BJJ school, run by Rafael Lovato Jr., 2007 world champion and ex-Bellator champion. Gi, no-gi, MMA and Sunday open mat.
  34. 34Absolute MMA MelbourneMelbourne, Victoria, Australia · Absolute MMAMelbourne MMA and BJJ gym with sites in the CBD, Collingwood and St Kilda, home team of ADCC medallist Lachlan Giles. Levelled gi and no-gi classes, kids at St Kilda.
  35. 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.
  36. 36Alliance ChicagoChicago, Illinois, United States · AllianceChicago Alliance affiliate for gi and no-gi training in a major Midwest hub.
  37. 3710th Planet ChicagoChicago, Illinois, United States · 10th PlanetChicago's 10th Planet school on N Milwaukee Ave, run by black belt Josh Passini, who trained directly under Eddie Bravo and teaches no-gi and wrestling.
  38. 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.
  39. 39Alliance Coconut GroveMiami, Florida, United States · AllianceAlliance jiu-jitsu in Coconut Grove on Grand Ave, with a sister school in Brickell on SW 3rd Ave. Kids and adult classes, with a free first class.
  40. 40Checkmat MiamiMiami, Florida, United States · CheckmatMiami Checkmat affiliate connected to a globally competitive team identity.
  41. 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.
  42. 42Alliance BJJ HoustonHouston, Texas, United States · AllianceAlliance's Houston headquarters since 2015, on the South Beltway near Pearland. Gi, no-gi, women-only, competition, kids from 5, Muay Thai and walk-in friendly.
  43. 4310th Planet HoustonHouston, Texas, United States · 10th PlanetNo-gi 10th Planet school at 3420 Rusk St near downtown Houston, with kids (4–13) and adult classes and a free first class.
  44. 44Gracie Barra DallasDallas, Texas, United States · Gracie BarraDallas-area Gracie Barra affiliate for curriculum-based gi and no-gi classes.
  45. 45Alliance Jiu Jitsu DallasDallas, Texas, United States · AllianceAlliance school on Royal Ln in northwest Dallas, run by heavyweight João Gabriel Rocha, a multiple Pan champion and two-time ADCC runner-up. Gi, no-gi and kids.
  46. 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.
  47. 47Alliance LondonLondon, United Kingdom · AllianceAlliance's European flagship at Imperial Wharf, Fulham, opened in 2024 with Fábio Gurgel. Gi, no-gi, beginners, women's and kids classes, free trial.
  48. 48Fight Zone London (Checkmat)London, United Kingdom · CheckmatCheckmat academy in East London, founded in 2012 by Marco Canha, a black belt under Ricardo Vieira. Jiu-jitsu, no-gi, MMA and striking, 150+ classes a week.
  49. 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.
  50. 50Alliance TorontoToronto, Ontario, Canada · AllianceToronto Alliance affiliate for gi and no-gi training in Ontario.