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PTCompetition strips technique bare: under pressure, your reflexes either hold or break. This guide explains how the major circuits work, how the French CFJJB season is organised and, concretely, how to prepare for and get through your first Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition is a world of its own. For some it becomes a central goal; for others a one-off milestone, a personal test; for many, a defining experience, sometimes brutal, often formative. From the club tournament to the world championship, competition shapes modern jiu-jitsu: it drives the rules, influences styles, produces champions and pushes the art forward. On this page you will find an overview of the international circuits, a complete guide to the French CFJJB circuit, from the licence to the national team, and everything you need to know before your first tournament. For the dates, head to our calendar of BJJ competitions in France, updated monthly.
The major Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition circuits
IBJJF, the benchmark of sport jiu-jitsu
The IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) runs the four Gi Grand Slam tournaments: the European Championship in January, the Pan in spring, the Brasileiro, and the Worlds in late May or early June in California. It also sets the standards almost everyone applies, the CFJJB included: rules, refereeing, point system, uniform. An IBJJF title remains the ultimate goal for most gi competitors. For the French national team, the event of the year is the European Championship: read our coverage of the 2026 IBJJF Europeans.
ADCC, the “Olympics of grappling”
The ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) is a biennial no-gi world championship, by invitation or qualification, with its own ruleset that punishes stalling and rewards submissions. The 2026 edition takes place on 12-13 September in Krakow, Poland. Winning ADCC means entering grappling legend. Its rules differ markedly from the IBJJF’s: no points in the first half of the match, negative points for passivity, and a wider range of leg locks.
UFC BJJ, grappling in prime time
Launched in 2025, UFC BJJ changed grappling’s exposure: television-grade production, monthly cards in Las Vegas streamed free on YouTube, championship belts by weight class and a format built for a mainstream audience. In 2026 the promotion added the UFC BJJ Opens, tournaments open to everyone. France’s Aurélie Le Vern has already won a belt there.
Nova GP, the CFJJB’s premium event
The Nova GP is the first premium event organised by the French federation. Its first edition took place in Paris on 5 February 2026, in adult Gi format, with polished production and a line-up showcasing the best national competitors. The second edition is already on the CFJJB calendar: 6 February 2027, in Paris.
The French circuit: everything about the CFJJB
What is the CFJJB?
The Confédération Française de Jiu-Jitsu Brésilien (CFJJB) is the body that structures, organises and develops sport Brazilian jiu-jitsu in France. Created in 2006 to keep up with the sport’s explosive growth, it now federates around 540 clubs and more than 36,000 members across the country, overseas territories included. Its main missions: running the national competition circuit, registering official belt ranks, training coaches and referees, and selecting the French national team that represents the country at IBJJF championships.
The CFJJB applies the IBJJF rulebook with adaptations for the French context: youth divisions, Master divisions, a Novice championship for white belts. To understand the sometimes complicated relationship between the CFJJB and France Judo, read our article on the CFJJB and France Judo conflict.
The competitions organised by the CFJJB
Regional Opens. From October to May, the federation schedules an Open almost every weekend somewhere in France: Île-de-France, Antibes, Toulouse, Corsica, Guilherand-Granges, Bourges, Illkirch, Nantes, Marseille, Orléans, Bordeaux, Nice, Rouen, not forgetting Réunion Island and Guadeloupe. Each Open generally offers Adult, Master and Kids divisions, in Gi and No-Gi. It is the ideal setting to build experience before the national events.
The French Open and the French Cup. Two national events open to every licensed athlete. The French Open (Open de France) takes place in Marseille on 21-22 November 2026; the French Cup, paired with the BJJ Festival, returns to Verquin on 20-21 March 2027. They are the two biggest brackets of the season outside the championships.
National championships. The CFJJB runs four, each with its own audience: the National Novice Championship (white belts) at the end of January, the National No-Gi and Kids Championships on the same April weekend, and the French Gi Championship in June, in Paris. The latter is the flagship of the calendar: the level is especially high at brown and black belt, and several French champions are capable of medalling at the IBJJF Europeans.
National team selection. Results at the French championships and the major national events form the basis for selecting the French national team, which represents the country at the IBJJF European and World Championships.
A Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition season, month by month
September to December: back on the mats and first Opens
The season restarts with training resuming and, internationally, ADCC (late summer in even years) then the IBJJF No-Gi Worlds in December. In France, the CFJJB Opens resume from early October (Île-de-France, Antibes, Hauts-de-France, Toulouse, Corsica…) and the French Open in Marseille closes November. For a beginner, this is the ideal moment: autumn Opens are accessible and leave time to prepare for the spring deadlines.
January to March: Europeans, Nova GP and French Cup
January opens the year with the IBJJF European Championship, the national team’s main event, and the National Novice Championship for white belts. February follows with the Nova GP in Paris and the winter Opens (Bourges, Illkirch, Réunion Island). March ends with the French Cup and the BJJ Festival in Verquin. It is the densest stretch of the French calendar.
April to June: national championships and Worlds
April concentrates the National No-Gi and Kids Championships in Paris, framed by the Marseille and Orléans Opens. May continues with Bordeaux, Nice and Rouen while the elite prepare for the IBJJF Worlds in Long Beach, late May or early June. The French season closes in June with the French Gi Championship, which sets the national pecking order and feeds the national team selection.
July and August: break and preparation
The competitive calendar slows down. It is time for recovery, summer camps and deep technical work; some take the opportunity to travel and train abroad. September comes around fast, and with it the release of the new federation calendar.
How to enter a Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition in France
The mandatory requirements
To compete on the CFJJB circuit, four conditions. First, a valid CFJJB licence, taken through your affiliated club (41 euros for the 2025-2026 season); it includes sports insurance. If you are visiting from abroad, note that IBJJF membership through your home academy is not enough: you need a licence through a French club. Second, a medical certificate stating no contraindication to competitive Brazilian jiu-jitsu; for the national championships the federation also requires a sports passport. Third, a gi compliant with IBJJF rules: white, royal blue or black, regulation dimensions, patches in the authorised places, all checked at the weigh-in. Finally, your belt must be registered with the CFJJB by your professor: competing with an undeclared rank can lead to disqualification.
The registration process
Registration is done online on cfjjb.com, opening several weeks before the event. You enter your licence number, your age, belt and weight division, and the format (Gi or No-Gi). Count 30 to 45 euros for a regional Open, more for the national championships (check the event page). Entry to the absolute, the open-weight division, is usually offered as an option.
Important: registration usually closes two to three weeks before the competition, and the big events sell out before the deadline. Do not leave it to the last minute.
Competition day: how it unfolds
Arrive at least 90 minutes before your division’s scheduled time. The typical sequence starts with the licence check (CFJJB licence and ID), followed by the weigh-in in your gi, then the gi check (colour, dimensions, patches) and the call to the bullpen. A few tips: bring water and snacks (a competition day is long), a spare gi if you compete in the gi, and stay close to the call area, because brackets can move fast. If you have a coach, listen to them; if not, ask a training partner to come along. That presence makes a real difference. To know what the referee expects of you on the mat, read our guide to the referee in BJJ.
Point system and match times (IBJJF and CFJJB)
The point system rewards dominant positions and progress towards the submission. 4 points for the mount and for back control with both hooks; 3 points for the guard pass; 2 points for the takedown, the sweep from guard and knee on belly. Each position must be held for three seconds to score. Advantages reward near-misses (a serious submission attempt, a position almost stabilised) and only separate the athletes when points are tied. The full breakdown, article by article, is in our guide to BJJ point scoring.
Match duration by belt (adults)
| Belt | Adult | Master 1 (30 and over) | Master 2 and above |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 5 minutes | 5 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Blue | 6 minutes | 5 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Purple | 7 minutes | 6 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Brown | 8 minutes | 6 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Black | 10 minutes | 6 minutes | 5 minutes |
Source: IBJJF rulebook version 6.1 (June 2024), article 1.3, match duration table. The absolute lasts as long as the corresponding belt division; in the event of a perfect tie (points, advantages, penalties), the referee decides the winner. Kids and Juvenile divisions fight for 2 to 5 minutes depending on age. Find all the rules on our BJJ rules hub, and test yourself with our quizzes.
The atmosphere at Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions in France
CFJJB competitions stand out for a friendly, family atmosphere while maintaining a high technical level. The community spirit of French BJJ is tangible: competitors greet each other, cheer across academies and often share a moment after the matches. The level varies by division. At white and blue belt you will meet many beginners; it is the perfect opportunity to take the plunge, the level is homogeneous. At purple and brown, competitors have several years of experience and a structured game. Black belt the level is international: several French athletes medal regularly at the IBJJF Europeans.
From local to international: the French competitor’s path
Regional level. The journey starts at the Opens, where white to purple belts rack up experience. The goal is to reach national podiums in your division and get noticed. National level. From purple belt, ambitions grow: French champion titles, national team selection for the IBJJF Europeans, national training camps. The profiles of Léon Larman, Eliott Sarthou and Freddy Lele Talla, 2026 IBJJF European champion at purple belt, illustrate that path. International level. At the top, black belts aim for medals at the IBJJF Europeans and Worlds, the Abu Dhabi Grand Slams, an ADCC qualification or a spot on a UFC BJJ card. The French national team has already produced European and world medallists, a sign of the rising level of French BJJ.
The leading regions and clubs of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in France
France has many high-level academies that regularly produce strong competitors. The Paris region remains the historic stronghold, with clubs that have been forming champions and black belts for more than twenty years; Z-Team in Boulogne tops the CFJJB team rankings. Lyon and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes offer a high density of academies, Marseille and the French Riviera a dynamic scene affiliated with the big Brazilian lineages, Toulouse and Occitanie rapid growth in recent years. Bordeaux, Nantes, Strasbourg and Lille have active local scenes, as the geographic spread of CFJJB Opens shows. To choose well, read our guide on how to choose your first BJJ academy.
Starting Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition: what to expect
Competing is not only about chasing a medal. It means accepting stress, waiting, discomfort and uncertainty. But it also means discovering accelerated progress, a better reading of your own game, a real self-assessment and a more lucid relationship with your jiu-jitsu. For a first tournament, a regional Open is often the best fit: relaxed atmosphere, even level, reassuring setting. If you have not taken the plunge yet, start with our complete guide to starting BJJ. Competition is not an exam: it is a tool.
Can you practise Brazilian jiu-jitsu without competing?
Yes, absolutely. Competition is an option, not an obligation. Many practitioners find their balance in technical learning, friendly sparring, teaching or recreational training. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is not reduced to podiums: it offers discipline, confidence, health, community. Stepping onto a competition mat does not define your worth as a practitioner. Whether you choose to compete or not, what matters is finding a rhythm that suits you and continuing to improve your own way.
FAQ: Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition
How do you enter a Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition in France?
Take a CFJJB licence through an affiliated club, obtain a medical certificate of no contraindication to competition, have your belt registered by your professor, then register online on cfjjb.com in your age, belt and weight division. Independent competitions (Grappling Industries, NAGA, GNC) and the IBJJF Paris Opens are open without a federation licence.
How much does a BJJ competition cost?
The CFJJB licence cost 41 euros for the 2025-2026 season. Entry to a regional Open is 30 to 45 euros; the national championships cost more. Add travel, possible accommodation and a rules-compliant gi.
How long does a Brazilian jiu-jitsu match last?
In the adult division, under the IBJJF rules applied by the CFJJB: 5 minutes at white belt, 6 at blue, 7 at purple, 8 at brown and 10 at black. At Master 1, matches last 5 minutes (white, blue) or 6 minutes (purple, brown, black); from Master 2, 5 minutes for everyone.
What is the difference between IBJJF and ADCC?
The IBJJF is a federation running an annual Gi and No-Gi circuit with a points and advantages system. ADCC is a biennial no-gi world championship, by invitation or qualification, whose ruleset punishes passivity, awards no points in the first part of the match and allows a wider range of leg locks.
Do you have to compete to improve in BJJ?
No. Competition speeds up progress because it exposes weaknesses under pressure, but it remains optional. Many practitioners improve steadily through regular training, sparring and technical study without ever stepping onto a tournament mat.
In short
Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition is one of the engines of the art. It is neither indispensable nor superior, but it remains a formidable revealer. In France, the CFJJB circuit offers a structured, accessible and high-quality framework for every level, from the first regional Open to international selection. Whether you are curious, a beginner, a seasoned competitor or simply a fan, understanding the competitive world helps you understand jiu-jitsu itself. Next step: pick a date in the competition calendar.