2027 Nationals Jiu-Jitsu Open

Hello, Competitor!

Welcome to 2027 Nationals Jiu-Jitsu Open! Please read this page carefully — 2027 brings our biggest fairness upgrade ever: one graded weight chart for kids and birthdate-matched kids brackets.

DATE: Sunday, February 28, 2027

VENUE

Hope International University - 2500 Nutwood Ave, Fullerton, CA 92831

NABJJF MEMBERS — REGISTER ON NABJJF.COM

NABJJF members get the lowest price at every deadline — member registration from $29.99 — plus member-only perks all season. Membership is a rolling year from purchase.

Member pricing, registration, FAQs and how to enroll: nabjjf.com/events/2027-nationals-jiu-jitsu-open · nabjjf.com/membership

PRICES

*Register by this date to receive a free rash guard. Otherwise, a rash guard can be purchased at the event for a fee.

Second entry (Gi + No-Gi combo) discounts apply automatically at checkout.

NEW FOR 2027 — GRADED KIDS WEIGHT CHART, FAIRER KIDS BRACKETS

• One graded weight chart for kids: 18 classes covering every kids age class and both genders, with No-Gi limits 4 pounds under Gi (Gi 45 to 230 lbs, No-Gi 41 to 226 lbs, then an open class). No more different cutoffs per age group. Juveniles and adults keep their established weight classes.
• Kids brackets are matched by birthdate: no child is automatically placed in a bracket spanning more than 12 months of age.
• A child with no opponents is handled under Solo Competitors: a move is only ever up, one age division up is the good suggestion and two up is offered only when nothing better exists, and the parent or coach decides. If nobody answers a good proposal within 24 hours, our team may apply it and tells you.
• Kids weigh-ins use the 2-pound allowance.
• Debut Division (kids white belts): if this is one of your first three NABJJF tournaments, choose White (Debut Division) at registration. We check every entry after registration and email you if you qualify, or, if you no longer qualify, with two choices: move to the regular division or withdraw for full credit.
• Kids age classes are one year each, Kids 4 through Kids 15. The number is the age your child turns in the tournament year.
• Uniforms for 2027: kids may compete in any color gi as long as it is one uniform color, top and bottom the same. Juveniles, adults and masters follow the standard gi color rules.
• Techniques for 2027: heel hooks and reaping the knee are legal only in adult brown and black belt No-Gi, and the scissor takedown is illegal in every division.

Full details of every 2027 change: nabjjf.com/season-2027

SPECTATOR TICKETS & VIP MAT ACCESS

Spectator tickets and VIP Mat Access are sold on our website, not on SmoothComp — buy them (and skip the door line) at nabjjf.com/events/2027-nationals-jiu-jitsu-open.

• Spectator tickets: pre-order online for $12 ($15 at the door).
• VIP Mat Access: limited quantity, online or at the door.
• NABJJF members attend free as spectators; a member competing here brings one guest free, automatically at the door. Membership is per athlete.

MAT AREA RULES

• Only spectators who purchased a VIP Mat Access may enter the mat area.
• All Coaches must sign a NABJJF Code of Conduct Agreement before being allowed in the mat area. If you have not received an agreement, please email tournament@nabjjf.com.
• Coaches collect their wristbands at coach check-in at the front door. Each academy gets 1 coach wristband, plus 1 more for every 5 unique competitors it registers. A wristband is issued to one coach and is not transferable. A lost wristband is replaced once, at check-in, only if staff can confirm the coach is on the allocation list.

WEIGH-IN RULES

• Kids Divisions: 2-pound weight allowance. Athletes exceeding this allowance will be disqualified. Please register your child in a division they can safely make.
• Juvenile and Adult Divisions: No weight allowance.
• Weigh-ins must be done in full competition attire (Gi or No-Gi uniform).

BRACKET FORMAT

• 2 competitors: best 2 out of 3
• 3 competitors: round robin
• 4+ competitors: double elimination with 3rd place match
• Open Weight: single elimination from 4 competitors, with no 3rd place match
• Kids brackets are formed after registration has closed, grouped by birthdate and weight (see "New for 2027" above).

ROUND-ROBIN TIEBREAKER

• 1. Submission count
• 2. Fastest submission
• 3. Fewest points conceded
• 4. Sum of match scores

IMPORTANT DATES

• Free Rash Guard Deadline: Jan 6, 2027
• Division Change Deadline: Feb 21, 2027
• Registration Closes: Feb 17, 2027
• Brackets and Schedule Posted: Feb 25, 2027

No changes to divisions will be allowed after the deadline. Athletes are responsible for reviewing their registration and weight class in Smoothcomp before the division change deadline.

RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

For event rules, uniform guidelines, and additional details, nabjjf.com/faq.

View competitor list: HERE

Brackets and Schedule: HERE

For general inquiries: tournament@nabjjf.com

We look forward to seeing you on the mats.

– The NABJJF Team