ADCC US Open - Louisville, KY

DATE:

Saturday, December 5th, 2026

LOCATION:

Kentucky International Convention Center, NORTH HALL D

 221 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202, United States

REGISTRATION:

$125 until November 29th, 2026

$150 until December 3rd, 2026

$75 to add additional divisions (two divisions maximum per entry)

Competitors must be at their assigned mat at least 15 minutes before their scheduled start time. The schedule and mat assignments will be released after weigh ins. Match times are in real time and should be checked frequently on the day of the event for any updates.

If a competitor does not arrive to the mat within 10 minutes of the first time they are called, they will be marked as a loss and the bracket will advance. This applies for all competitors, but please especially keep this in mind when registering for more than one division.

HOTELS/LODGING:

Please click here for discounted hotel rates provided by AwayTeam Travel: https://adcc-official.com/pages/hotels

AwayTeam Travel is the official housing provider for ADCC. They are constantly working to ensure that the ADCC registrants receive the lowest rates online and have access to preferred hotels conveniently located near the venues. Book your hotel room for the event at special rates, available here on an exclusive basis.

If you require assistance with booking your lodging, contact AwayTeam Travel at support@awayteamtravel.com, or call 813-591-5259.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Last day to cancel for a credit (no refunds): Sunday, November 29th, 2026 at 11:59pm local time.

Registration closes: Wednesday, December 2nd, 2026, at 11:59pm local time, or when we reach maximum capacity of 1150 competitors total, whichever happens first.

Registration correction deadline: Wednesday, December 2nd, 2026, at 11:59pm local time.

MANDATORY WEIGH INS:

Friday, 2026 at the venue from 4-7pm. Only kids may weigh in from 4-5pm, and anyone may weigh in from 5-7pm (kids included).

ALL competitors must weigh in, even if your division does not have a weight limit.

Maximum of 0.5kg (1.1lbs) weight allowance. Anyone weighing more than this over their weight division will be moved up in weight.

If you are unable to make day before weigh-ins the following options for day of weigh ins are available:

1. For kids/juvenile divisions, same-day weigh-ins require you to weigh in at 6:00 am. Any kids not weighed in when the 6 am weigh-ins close will be removed from the bracket. 

2. For adults, you must weigh in no later than 2 hours before your division starts. The start times are subject to change and we recommend you leave ample time before the start of the division to be safe. If you are not weighed in at this time you will be dq'd and removed from your bracket

WHO CAN COMPETE:

ADCC Opens are for all competitors - kids through masters, beginner through advanced, from any country.

You do not need to qualify to compete in ADCC Opens.

CORRECTIONS and CANCELLATIONS:

Registration corrections can be done by logging into your smoothcomp account using the following instructions: https://support.smoothcomp.com/article/89-how-to-change-weightclass-or-cancel.

For age group changes, you can email patience@adcc-official.com with your full name and the correction.

REFUND POLICY:

Registration fees are non-refundable. Registered competitors that are unable to compete for any reason may request credit toward a future tournament until the Sunday before the event. Credits after this date will only be offered if we are not able to find you a suitable match.

ABSOLUTE DIVISION

The Absolute division will run after all other divisions have concluded, at the end of the tournament.

Due to the many variables athletes face throughout the day—such as injuries, fatigue, or other unforeseen circumstances—it is common for some competitors to withdraw from the Absolute division. To ensure a fair and competitive bracket for those who are prepared to compete, a mandatory roll call will be conducted prior to finalizing the Absolute bracket.

Roll call will generally take place between 6:00–7:00 p.m. (though the exact time may be earlier or later depending on how the tournament progresses). All athletes wishing to compete in the Absolute must check in at this time. Even if you are competing in another division, you are still required to check in. A coach or teammate may check in on your behalf if necessary. Please note that if you do not check in at roll call, you will be removed from the bracket. Additionally, athletes who withdraw after check-in—or are removed for failing to check in—will forfeit their registration fee.

SPONSORSHIP and PARTNERSHIP:

Are you interested in having a booth at the ADCC Open to showcase your business and gain valuable exposure? Contact Caitlin at caitlin@adcc-official.com to discuss booth availability and our exciting partnership opportunities!

WORK ADCC OPEN:

Apply here: Staff Application Form

Contact patience@adcc-official.com with questions

MEDIA REQUESTS:

Submit a media request here: Media Request Form

Requests should be submitted at least 3 weeks before the event date. Any requests submitted after that may not be considered.

FORMAT:

• NO GI ONLY
• ADCC rules and legal techniques: http://www.adcc-official.com/opens/rules.html
• Participation in ADCC Open events signifies your agreement to our Code of Conduct: https://tinyurl.com/ydjtknpx
• Double elimination (at least two matches guaranteed).
• Compete for third place (no double bronze).

ABSOLUTE DIVISIONS:

There is one women's and one men's absolute division - open to all ranks, weights, and above at 18.

Absolute divisions will all be single elimination.

MATCH LENGTHS:

Kids (up to age 12): 4 minutes
Teens and juveniles (age 13-17): 5 minutes
Adults: 6 minutes
Masters: 5 minutes

COACHES:

1 free coach pass per every 5 students registered from that same academy, minimum of 5 students. Example:

0-4 competitors: No coach pass
5-9 competitors: 1 coach pass
10-14 competitors: 2 coach passes

And so forth.

SPECTATORS:

Spectator tickets: $25 and will be available at the door

NOT ALLOWED AT ANY ADCC EVENTS:

Close outs: Teammates, friends, etc not having a real match if they meet in a bracket.

Sandbagging: Signing up for a lower skill level or younger age group (masters signing up for adult is permitted). Please notify us if you see a competitor you suspect is sandbagging.

Doing either of these may result in a permanent ban from all ADCC events, even on the first offense.

Sandbagging policy: 

If an athlete wins 3 gold medals in any higher skill division, they are no longer allowed to move back down to a lower division — regardless of their belt rank. For youth athletes, this means once they win 3 golds in a higher division, they must stay in that division until they move up to the next age group.

E.g. If an 11–12-year-old grey belt (technically eligible for intermediate) wins gold three times in the Advanced division, they must remain in Advanced for all future competitions within the 11–12 age group (until they turn 13 and move to the next age bracket, or permanently if in adult divisions).

If an athlete wins 5 gold medals in the same skill division, they are required to move up to the next higher division — regardless of their current belt rank or promotion status.

Participation in ADCC Open events signifies your agreement to our Code of Conduct: https://tinyurl.com/ydjtknpx