Description
Chewjitsu Open is not your average tournament! Get ready for MORE MATCHES at this SUB ONLY, Round Robin, Madison style bracketed tournament, grouping you with your nearest weight and experience/age level. You’ll have up to 4 matches per division and not have to worry about cutting or missing weight!
Come back the next day to learn from IBJJF Worlds & three-time Pan Am Champion Nick “Chewy” Albin at a three hour, No Gi seminar. You don’t have to compete to participate in the seminar, but discount rates are available if you do!
The Chewjitsu Open offers Gi and No Gi divisions for all ages with medals and championship belt prizes, as well as optional Absolute divisions with cash prizes for adults. Youth ages 8 and under Beginner/White Belt Divisions are points only, no submissions, to provide a safe and competitive event for kids.
What is Madison bracketing? Click the Rules tab to learn more!
Register | Divisions | Rules | Pricing | Frequently Asked Questions
Chewjitsu Seminar | History & Testimonials | Chewjitsu Open Website
Download the event flyer
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New for 2026
- New Masters III 45+ division
- New championship belt design and seminar material
- All events are livestreamed and recorded
- Family discounts if 3 or more members are competing
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Event Location
North Shore Sports Center
1900 Old Willow Rd
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
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Weigh-ins
Location: North Shore Sports Center
Friday, April 17th: Early weigh-ins, 5 - 7 pm for Youth & Adult. Weigh in early to skip the line and avoid the Saturday morning rush.
Saturday, April 18th: Weigh-ins, 7 - 8 am for Youth, 7 - 9 am for Adults. No need to weigh in twice if you already weighed in Friday night.
Failing to weigh in will result in a forfeiture of matches. Refunds will not be issued to those missing weigh ins.
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Event Schedule
Chewjitsu Open - Saturday, April 18th
Youth Rules Meeting & Match Start: 10 am
Adult Rules Meeting & Match Start: 1:30 pm
Match flow: Youth No Gi -> Youth Gi -> Adult No Gi -> Adult Gi -> Absolute No Gi (Adults Only)
All No Gi matches will complete before Gi matches begin.
All Youth matches will complete before Adult matches begin.
Adult Expert/Black Belt will be at the start of the Adult divisions so coaches can compete and be available to coach their students afterwards.
Chewjitsu Seminar - Sunday, April 19th
Click here for more info.
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Awards
We provide high quality awards for individuals and teams.
Medals: Top 3 finishers in all divisions win a high quality Chewjitsu Open medal.
Belts: Win your division and receive a CHAMPIONSHIP BELT! Must compete in at least two divisions to qualify (Gi, No Gi, Absolute). Limit 1 belt per competitor per tournament if winning multiple divisions.
Cash: Absolute No Gi Division Champs also win $250!
Best Team: Top 3 overall teams will take home a Chewjitsu Open banner to display in their gyms.
Fastest Sub/Most Points: Top 3 competitors with the fastest submission or the most individual points receive a special award at the end of the tournament!
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Stay sharp, stay strong, stay on the mats. Get started at 1stOptimal.com and use code "CHEWY" for a 10% discount.
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Work the Event
We are always looking for experienced referees, scorekeepers, security, and event setup/cleanup! We pay competitively and provide food and water. Apply online at the Job Application Here if interested.
Staff receive a 30% discount if they want to compete the same event they work. Staff may also use this discount for their children or spouses who are competing.
Referees: Purple belt and up with competition and/or referee experience preferred. Generally work from 9 am until event close, roughly 6 pm depending on size of tournament.
Scorekeepers: Basic jiu-jitsu knowledge and computer skills preferred. Generally work from 9 am until event close, roughly 6 pm depending on size of tournament.
Setup: 5 - 6 hours of work the day before the tournament. Want to help setup in exchange for free registration? Let us know!
We provide Refs and Scorekeepers with an event t-shirt they can keep after the tournament.
