BJJ in France by the Numbers: 2026 CFJJB Report

How many people really practise Brazilian jiu-jitsu in France? Everyone calls it a fast-growing discipline. Yet the actual numbers rarely make it onto the table. The CFJJB has just released its 2025-2026 season report. And the data speaks for itself: 35,890 members, 532 clubs and more than 15,000 competition entries. Here is BJJ in France by the numbers, broken down.

We have followed the French scene for years. So these figures confirm what we feel on the mats: BJJ in France has changed scale. Indeed, it is no longer a niche discipline limited to a handful of historic academies. In this article, we break down the CFJJB data. Above all, we give you the reading behind it.

How many BJJ members and clubs are there in France?

The CFJJB lists 35,890 members and 532 affiliated clubs in 2026. As a result, it remains the dominant Brazilian jiu-jitsu body in France, and has been for nearly 25 years. This network of more than 500 clubs is the real strength of French BJJ today. Indeed, the discipline is no longer concentrated in a few big cities. It has spread across the regions.

In practice, this density changes everything, even far from the major cities. These days, a serious club sits within reach of almost every practitioner. When we started, it was a different story. Indeed, finding a decent mat near home was sometimes a real struggle. Today, the reality is different. Moreover, this density transforms progression. You get more partners, more levels and more chances to roll with varied profiles. Thus, it is the ideal environment to improve.

How many BJJ competitors does France have per season?

The CFJJB season totalled 15,473 cumulative competition entries. That works out to an average of around 1,190 entries per event. What stands out is not an isolated peak. Rather, it is the consistency. Indeed, a full calendar mobilises clubs across the whole season. Therefore, this is not a matter of two or three big annual events.

Several major events anchor the season. They include the National No-Gi Championship, the National Novices Championship, the Coupe de France, the National Championship and the Marseille Open. Want to follow the French competitive scene? For that, we covered the French team at the 2026 IBJJF Europeans in detail.

For a competitor, this density is great news. In practice, more events means more chances to test your game. Thus, you no longer wait six months between two tournaments. And that is exactly how you progress fast: by showing up often, taking losses and adjusting.

Who practises BJJ in France? The age breakdown

French BJJ is driven mainly by adults. They account for 46.4% of competition entries. Masters come next, at 26.8%. Children make up 20.2% and juveniles 6.6%. Yet it is above all the masters share, more than one competitor in four, that deserves attention.

These 26.8% of masters reveal something specific about BJJ. It is one of the few combat sports you can start at 35 or 40. You can then compete and improve for years, without wrecking your body. Indeed, BJJ rewards technique and fight intelligence more than raw explosiveness. As a result, that shows directly in the age pyramid.

On the other side, the 20.2% of kids matter just as much. They show that the discipline is taking root as a real school for the young: coordination, self-control, respect for the partner. Thus, BJJ rests on a double base. Children and masters surround a solid adult core. In fact, that is the sign of a lasting practice, not a passing fad.

Gi or No-Gi: what do the numbers say about French BJJ?

The kimono stays in the majority with 66.8% of entries, against 33.2% for No-Gi. In other words, a third of French competitive volume now happens without the gi. And that is no minor detail.

A few years ago, No-Gi was seen as a mere variation of the gi. Today, it represents a third of entries. This figure reflects the influence of modern grappling and the big international events. Moreover, part of the new generation comes in straight through No-Gi. However, France keeps its technical identity, inherited from traditional gi BJJ. At the same time, it makes room for the formats that speak to new practitioners.

Our advice if you are starting out: do not pick a camp too early. Indeed, the gi teaches you control and patience. For its part, No-Gi teaches you pace and transitions. In the end, the two feed each other, and the best athletes move in both.

What do these numbers really say about BJJ in France?

Beyond the percentages, the reading is simple. French BJJ has been built from the ground up, club by club, belt by belt. And that is precisely what makes it solid. Indeed, these numbers are not a PR stunt. They are the result of groundwork carried out over nearly 25 years.

For a practitioner, that translates very concretely. You find an accessible club near home and partners of every level. On top of that come a busy competition calendar and a community spanning all generations. As a result, it is the ideal environment to progress. Whether you just want to roll after work or aim for a national podium, it is all there.

Want to understand how we got here? For that, we point you to our feature on why BJJ is booming in France. We also invite you to read our article on the French BJJ team 2025-2026. Finally, the CFJJB–France Judo conflict shakes this whole dynamic in the background.

FAQ: BJJ in France by the numbers

How many BJJ members are there in France?

The CFJJB has 35,890 members in 2026. It is the main Brazilian jiu-jitsu federation in France. Moreover, it has dominated the national landscape for nearly 25 years.

How many BJJ clubs are there in France?

There are 532 clubs affiliated with the CFJJB in 2026. These days, the network covers the whole country, not just the big cities. Thus, the discipline stays within reach of a large majority of practitioners.

What is the CFJJB?

The CFJJB (French Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Confederation) is the historic and dominant BJJ body in France. In practice, it runs the national competition calendar and oversees affiliated clubs. In addition, it has managed licences for nearly 25 years.

Is No-Gi popular in France?

Yes. No-Gi makes up 33.2% of CFJJB competition entries, about a third of the volume. The gi stays in the majority at 66.8%. However, grappling without the kimono is growing fast, driven by the big international events.

At what age can you practise BJJ in France?

At any age. The CFJJB competitor breakdown shows 20.2% children, 6.6% juveniles, 46.4% adults and 26.8% masters. Indeed, BJJ is one of the few combat sports you can start as an adult, even after 40. You can then improve for years.

What are the biggest CFJJB competitions?

Several major events stand out: the National No-Gi Championship, the National Novices Championship, the Coupe de France, the National Championship and the Marseille Open. In total, the season drew 15,473 entries, around 1,190 per event.

To go further on the French scene, check out our feature on why BJJ is booming in France, our coverage of the 2026 IBJJF Europeans, and our complete guide to starting Brazilian jiu-jitsu.