First Responder Grappling Tournament
PEORIA, United States
Description
⁸The 2026 First Responder Grappling Tournament is under way. AZ LE Foundation is proud to announce this fundraising tournament will be hosted in Peoria, AZ at the Peoria Sports Complex in collaboration with the Peoria Diamond Club. All matches will be conducted on the Peoria Sports Complex field along 1st & 3rd bases.
The goal is to encourage first responders to train in grappling arts to improve their overall mental & physical wellness. As with our agency based affiliation program Unified Grappling. We want first responders to improve
1) Fight cardio
2) Positional & Body awareness
3) Decision making & Problem solving ability
4) Improve relationships across agency lines.
Bringing attention to all the wellness benefits Grappling can provide to first responders.
To honor the guys & gals who currently train. This tournament provides the perfect platform for first responders to come together in friendly competition. Come represent your agency & programs as we battle it out across weight divisions & experience levels.
This tournament will be open to all current, reserve & retired first responders. This will include Police, Fire & EMS. We are also extending this year to all military branches & veterans. For all the heroes fighting at home & abroad to keep the public safe. Come from anywhere in the country and you will be welcome at this one of a kind event.
All money raised will help us continue toward our goal at AZ LE Foundation of bringing better combatives, use of force and defensive tactics based training to Police Officers across Arizona.
We are excited to announce in coordination with the Peoria Diamond Club. We will be having kid & teen Brazilian Jiu Jitsu seminars taught by multiple gyms locally in the west valley.
For questions contact David By Instagram: @policeandfirejiujitsu or Website: https://azleofoundation.org/
First Responder Grappling Tournament
Date: November 7th 2026 - 4 pm to 10 pm
Location: Peoria Sports Complex 16101 N 83rd Ave Peoria, AZ 85382
Partnered Hotel: Hampton Inn 8408 W Paradise Ln, Peoria, AZ 85382.
Event Discounted Booking Link: https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=PHXGDHX&arrivalDate=2026-11-06&departureDate=2026-11-08&groupCode=CHH91C&room1NumAdults=1&cid=OM%2CWW%2CHILTONLINK%2CEN%2CDirectLink
Registration & Important Dates:
Early Bird Registration Ends August 31st 2026 at 23:59 hrs: $50 to register for division
Normal Registration Ends September 30th 2026 at 23:59 hrs: $75 to register for division
Late Registration Ends November 1st 2026 at 23:59 hrs: $100 to register for division
Registration Payment through Zeffy Link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/az-le-foundations-shop
Registration Closes: November 1st 2026 by 23:59 hours
Corrections can be completed by emailing david.azlefoundation@gmail.com
If your agency is not listed, please email david.azlefoundation@gmail.com and your agency will be added.
Divisions & Weight Brackets:
No Gi Divisions:
Beginner (Less than 3 years experience)
Intermediate (3 to 6 years experience)
Advanced (6 to 9 years experience)
Master (10 plus years experience)
Male Weight Divisions:
-165 lbs
-185 lbs
-205 lbs
-225 lbs
Above 226 lbs
Female Weight Divisions:
-120 lbs
-140 lbs
-160 lbs
-180 lbs
-200 lbs
Above 201 lbs
Virtual weigh in window is November 6th 2026 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours. Submit video of you weighing in by Instagram tagging AZLEFoundation & Policeandfirejiujitsu with your name.
1 lb weight allowance. Anyone above this will be bumped up to next division.
If brackets need to be adjusted they will be to allow for competitors to get the most matches within skill & size levels.
Day of Tournament:
Competitors must be at their assigned mat at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled start time.
Preliminary schedule & mat assignment will be released Wednesday November 4th 2026.
Match times are in real time and should be checked frequently on day of the event for any updates via Smoothcomp.
Format:
No Gi Tournament
Rash Guard & Shorts over spats required
Singlets are acceptable
Match Lengths
All experience levels - 5 minutes
Double Eliminate - Competing for 3rd place (no double bronze)
Rules: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m2NjR_2aQuHNUYP6dC658x4wH2XSJ2MfnvRxmS3vJYc/edit?usp=drivesdk
Refer to IBJJF No Gi Rule Set for examples of each move noted: https://ibjjf.com/news/new-rules-updates
Refund Policy: Due to the nature of organizing this event there will be no refunds available.
Coaches: 1 free coach pass for first student from the academy to register.
1 free additional coach pass per every 5 students registered from the same academy.
Example:
1-4 students = 1 coach pass
5-9 students = 2 coach passes
10- 14 students = 3 coach passes
Not Allowed:
Close outs: Team mates, friends etc not having a real match if they meet in a bracket
Sandbagging: Signing up for a lower skill level – Will be disqualified
Media Requests:
Email David Burke at david.azlefoundation@gmail.com or Instagram: @policeandfirejiujitsu
Sponsor Opportunities:
Email David Burke at david.azlefoundation@gmail.com or Instagram: @policeandfirejiujitsu
Divisions
- Male No-Gi$50
- Female No-Gi$50
Organizer
AZ LE Foundation
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the First Responder Grappling Tournament?
The tournament is on November 7th 2026 from 4 pm to 10 pm at Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N 83rd Ave, Peoria, AZ 85382. Matches will be conducted on the Peoria Sports Complex field along 1st & 3rd bases.
Who can compete in this tournament?
The tournament is open to all current, reserve, and retired first responders, including Police, Fire, and EMS. It is also open to all military branches and veterans.
What are the registration deadlines and prices?
Early Bird Registration ends August 31st 2026 at 23:59 hrs and costs $50 to register for division. Normal Registration ends September 30th 2026 at 23:59 hrs and costs $75, and Late Registration ends November 1st 2026 at 23:59 hrs and costs $100.
How do competitors pay for registration?
Registration payment is through the Zeffy link provided in the event description: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/az-le-foundations-shop. Registration closes November 1st 2026 by 23:59 hours.
What divisions and weight brackets are offered?
This is a No Gi tournament with Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master divisions. Male weight divisions are -165 lbs, -185 lbs, -205 lbs, -225 lbs, and above 226 lbs; female weight divisions are -120 lbs, -140 lbs, -160 lbs, -180 lbs, -200 lbs, and above 201 lbs.
When and how are weigh-ins conducted?
The virtual weigh-in window is November 6th 2026 from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours. Competitors must submit a video of themselves weighing in by Instagram, tagging AZLEFoundation and Policeandfirejiujitsu with their name.
Is there a weight allowance?
There is a 1 lb weight allowance. Anyone above this allowance will be bumped up to the next division.
When will the schedule and mat assignments be released?
The preliminary schedule and mat assignment will be released Wednesday November 4th 2026. Match times are in real time and should be checked frequently on the day of the event for updates via Smoothcomp.
What is the tournament format and required attire?
The format is No Gi, double elimination, competing for 3rd place with no double bronze. Rash guard and shorts over spats are required, singlets are acceptable, and all experience levels have 5-minute matches.
Are refunds available?
No. The refund policy states that due to the nature of organizing this event, there will be no refunds available.
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