EUROPEAN MASTER LEAGUE

Saturday, April 24, 2027 Brussels, Belgium

At a Glance

Divisions

Gi No-Gi Absolute

Ruleset

IBJJF

Entry

€45

Description

The European Master League (EML) is a Jiu-Jitsu competition reserved for athletes aged 30 and over. It is built for Masters who train seriously alongside work and family life: a well-organised, punctual and safety-focused event where you only compete against your own age group.

Registration is capped at venue capacity (220–250 competitors).

📍 Venue

Venue: Centre Sportif de la Forêt de Soignes
Address: Chaussée de Wavre / Waversesteenweg 2057, 1160 Auderghem / Oudergem, Belgium
Free parking: Chaussée de Wavre / Waversesteenweg 1854, 1160 Auderghem / Oudergem, Belgium

📅 Dates & Registration

Registration closes on 19 April 2027 or earlier if the venue is full. No on-site registration.

Early bird: 30 Sep 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 | €45
Standard: 6 Jan – 24 Mar 2027 | €50
Final: 25 Mar – 19 Apr 2027 | €60
Competition day: Saturday 24 April 2027

Divisions: Men’s No-Gi, Women’s No-Gi, Men’s Gi and Women’s Gi. The fee applies per division entry.

🛡️ What to Expect

Masters only: Master divisions are never merged with Adult divisions.
On schedule: single-elimination brackets (see three-athlete divisions below) to keep the day moving and on time.
Safety: medical team and AED on site.
Hospitality: VIP lounges for competitors and guests, and quick podium ceremonies.

⚖️ Weigh-in & Rules

Schedule: the schedule updates live. Follow your bracket on Smoothcomp and be in the warm-up area well before your match is called.
Weigh-in: scales open at 08:00. Weigh in no later than 60 minutes before your first match.
Weight: zero tolerance (0.0 kg). Athletes over their division limit are disqualified, with no refund.
Gi and No-Gi: athletes entered in both weigh in only once.
Rules: IBJJF rules, weight classes and age divisions (Master 1 to Master 7).

🔀 Small Divisions

When a division has few athletes, the following rules apply:

Alone in your division: you may move down one age division (e.g. Master 2 to Master 1) or up one weight class.
Merging weight classes: only with written consent from every athlete involved.
Three-athlete divisions: athlete 1 faces athlete 2, then athlete 3 faces the loser of that first match.
No opponent at all: choose between a full refund or a win by walkover, which qualifies you for the Absolute.

🥇 Absolute & Medals

Absolute (open class): open only to the top 3 of each weight division, including winners by walkover.
Medals: EML medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Podiums take place right after each final.

🔄 Cancellations, Changes & Conduct

All changes and cancellations are made through your Smoothcomp account.

Full refund: cancel at least 28 days before the event.
100% EML credit: cancel between 27 and 7 days before the event (valid for a future EML event).
Less than 7 days before: no refund and no credit.
Registrations made less than 7 days before the event are final.
Division or weight changes: possible up to 3 days before the event.
Conduct: disrespectful behaviour towards officials, athletes or staff leads to immediate disqualification and removal from the venue.

🎟️ Spectators & Coaches: spectator tickets are €10 at the door (grandstand). Accredited coaches have access to the coaching area next to the mats.

Event Details

Format

Single elimination

Registration

Early bird: 30 Sep 2026–5 Jan 2027 (€45); Standard: 6 Jan–24 Mar 2027 (€50); Final: 25 Mar–19 Apr 2027 (€60). Registration closes 19 Apr 2027 or earlier if venue is full. No on-site registration.

Weigh-In

Scales open at 08:00. Weigh in no later than 60 minutes before your first match. Zero tolerance (0.0 kg); athletes over limit are disqualified with no refund. Athletes entered in both Gi and No-Gi weigh in only once.

Spectator Fee

€10 at the door (grandstand).

Rules

This event runs under IBJJF rules.

Two points for a takedown, sweep or knee on belly, three for a pass, four for mount or back, with advantages and penalties to split the close ones. Know the scoreboard before you're the one staring at it.

How IBJJF scoring works

Where to Stay Near the Venue

Affiliate

Closest hotels to the venue, sorted by distance.

Closest 0.1 km from venue Numa Brussels Royal Galleries ★ 4.3 Rue d'Arenberg 18, Bruxelles Check availability

0.1 km from venue Hotel NH Brussels Grand Place Arenberg ★ 3.9 Rue d'Assaut 15, Bruxelles Check availability

0.2 km from venue ibis Brussels off Grand Place ★ 4.3 Rue du Marché aux Herbes 100, Bruxelles Check availability

See all hotels near the venue

Divisions

Male No-Gi€45
30 years and above
Female No-Gi€45
30 years and above
Male Gi€45
30 years and above
Female Gi€45
30 years and above

Organizer

ALFA SPORTEVENEMENTEN

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the European Master League held?

Competition day is Saturday 24 April 2027 at Centre Sportif de la Forêt de Soignes, Chaussée de Wavre / Waversesteenweg 2057, 1160 Auderghem / Oudergem, Belgium.

Is there parking at the venue?

Free parking is available at Chaussée de Wavre / Waversesteenweg 1854, 1160 Auderghem / Oudergem, Belgium.

How and when does registration close, and is there a competitor limit?

Registration closes on 19 April 2027 or earlier if the venue is full; there is no on-site registration and registration is capped at venue capacity (220–250 competitors).

What are the entry fees and registration periods?

Early bird: 30 Sep 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 | €45; Standard: 6 Jan – 24 Mar 2027 | €50; Final: 25 Mar – 19 Apr 2027 | €60. The fee applies per division entry.

Which divisions and age categories compete at EML?

Divisions are Men’s No-Gi, Women’s No-Gi, Men’s Gi and Women’s Gi; the event is for Masters only with age divisions Master 1 to Master 7, and Master divisions are never merged with Adult divisions.

When are weigh-ins and what are the weight rules?

Scales open at 08:00 and you must weigh in no later than 60 minutes before your first match; there is zero tolerance (0.0 kg) and athletes over their division limit are disqualified with no refund. Athletes entered in both Gi and No-Gi weigh in only once.

How are small divisions handled (alone, merged, three-athlete)?

If alone in your division you may move down one age division or up one weight class; merging weight classes requires written consent from every athlete involved. Three-athlete divisions run with athlete 1 vs athlete 2, then athlete 3 vs the loser of that first match; if you have no opponent you may choose a full refund or a win by walkover (which qualifies you for the Absolute).

Who can enter the Absolute (open class)?

The Absolute is open only to the top 3 of each weight division, including winners by walkover.

What are the cancellation, credit and change policies?

Full refund if you cancel at least 28 days before the event; 100% EML credit (valid for a future EML event) if you cancel between 27 and 7 days before; less than 7 days before the event there is no refund and no credit. Registrations made less than 7 days before the event are final, and division or weight changes are possible up to 3 days before the event.

What do spectators and coaches need to know about tickets and access?

Spectator tickets are €10 at the door for the grandstand, and accredited coaches have access to the coaching area next to the mats.