Ground Warrior Submission Challenge
Salem, OR, United States
Description
Since 2013, the Northwest Jiu Jitsu community has been starting the new year off right with this fun event. The Ground Warrior Submission Challenge is a stand-alone Jiu Jitsu tournament that follows Sub League's classic round robin format, which means more matches (no one is eliminated after losing a match). Submissions still reign supreme, but due to popular demand, Ground Warrior will be a pointed Jiu Jitsu tournament where matches are decided by submission, highest score, or referee decision. In the case of a tie within the round-robin scoring, wins by submission will carry more weight than wins by points or referee decision.
Please join us for our next event... it's the perfect way to kick off a year of great Jiu Jitsu.
Date & Location
Saturday, January 16, 2027
Schedule available by Thursday (1/14/27)
The Pavilion at the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center - 2330 17th Street NE, Salem, OR 97301
Parking is $10 – Carpool and save. The Fairground's parking contractor dictates pricing and policies. Unfortunately, they do not allow free re-entry. Please plan accordingly.
Learn more at subleague.com
Links to the rules, more details, coach registration and poster will be available by October 2026.
Ground Warrior Rules | More Ground Warrior Details
Register as a Coach | Event Poster
What to expect at the event
TRACK YOUR BRACKET'S DYNAMIC START TIME
Please remember the schedule is LIVE the day of the event. It is not unusual for times to change rapidly throughout the day. Brackets starting later in the day may shift up to 90 minutes earlier than originally scheduled. It is the competitor’s responsibility to monitor any changes in the schedule to start times and mat numbers for their bracket. Sub League is NOT responsible for any athlete who misses their weigh-in or start time of their bracket. No refunds will be given to competitors who miss their weigh-in or start time.
BE READY ON TIME
Competitors should be in the building and dressed to compete 1-hour before their BRACKET’s start time (not their individual match time). The Brackets and Schedule will be available by the end of the day on Thursday before the event (for Saturday's matches). In the case of a 2-day event, Sunday's Brackets and Schedule will be posted by the end of the day on Friday before the event.
CHECK-IN
Every competitor will check-in at the front desk when they arrive. Competitors who complete their registration by the free shirt cut-off date are eligible to receive a free T-shirt (available at the merchandise booth). Competitors should stay up-to-date with the progress of their bracket start time and mat number on their own phone and/or on the screen provided in the bullpen.
Competitors wanting to check their weight before the official weigh-in should visit the bullpen to use the test scale. Warm up mats will be available.
WEIGH-INS
Competitors will be weighed in when their bracket is called to the bullpen area. This may occur up to 1-hour before your BRACKET’s scheduled start time. When your bracket is called, find your Bullpen Leader in the bullpen area to get officially weighed in. All competitors will weigh-in wearing their full competition attire. There is ZERO (0.00) weight allowance. Competitors weighing more than the maximum weight listed for their division will be disqualified and will not be allowed to compete. Athletes competing in both Gi and No-gi will weigh-in separately for both.
AWARDS
After your bracket is finished, please wait for the Awards Runner to take you from the mat to the awards booth to receive your medal. Adult/Masters receive medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Youth/Teens receive medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place plus participation medals for 4th place and above.
SPECTATORS
Tickets are available at the door for $15 (1-day).
Parent Note: Each youth/teen competitor will receive one free parent entry at time of check-in. Spectators ages 9 and younger are free.
Parking is $10 per vehicle - carpool and save.
COACHES
Each team is allowed one (1) free coach entry for every five (5) athletes competing. Each eligible coach must pre-register online before the deadline in order to receive free entry.
The complimentary coach registration deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday before the event. Additional coaches, or those registering after the deadline, can register for $15 (1-day) at the door.
REGISTER AS A COACH (COMING SOON)
Divisions
- Men's Gi - Black Belt$50
- Men's Gi$75
- Men's No-Gi$75
- Women's Gi - Black Belt$50
- Women's Gi$75
- Women's No-Gi$75
- Youth Gi$75
- Youth No-gi$75
- Teen Male Gi$75
- Teen Male No-gi$75
- Teen Female Gi$75
- Teen Female No-Gi$75
Organizer
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Ground Warrior Submission Challenge?
The event is Saturday, January 16, 2027, at The Pavilion at the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center, 2330 17th Street NE, Salem, OR 97301.
When will the brackets and schedule be available?
The schedule will be available by Thursday, 1/14/27. Brackets and Schedule will be available by the end of the day on Thursday before the event for Saturday's matches.
What format does the tournament use?
The tournament follows Sub League's classic round robin format, so competitors are not eliminated after losing a match. Matches are decided by submission, highest score, or referee decision.
How early should competitors arrive?
Competitors should be in the building and dressed to compete 1 hour before their bracket’s start time, not their individual match time. Brackets starting later in the day may shift up to 90 minutes earlier than originally scheduled.
How do weigh-ins work?
Competitors are weighed in when their bracket is called to the bullpen area, which may occur up to 1 hour before the bracket’s scheduled start time. Competitors weigh in wearing full competition attire, with zero (0.00) weight allowance.
What happens if a competitor misses weigh-in or start time?
Competitors are responsible for monitoring changes to bracket start times and mat numbers. No refunds will be given to competitors who miss their weigh-in or start time.
How much are spectator tickets?
Spectator tickets are available at the door for $15 for 1 day. Each youth/teen competitor receives one free parent entry at check-in, and spectators ages 9 and younger are free.
How much is parking?
Parking is $10 per vehicle. The Fairground's parking contractor sets pricing and policies, and free re-entry is not allowed.
What coach entries are available?
Each team is allowed one free coach entry for every five athletes competing. Eligible coaches must pre-register online by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday before the event, while additional coaches or late registrants can register at the door for $15 for 1 day.
What awards are given?
Adult/Masters competitors receive medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Youth/Teens receive medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place plus participation medals for 4th place and above.
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