Leicester Grappling Series - Autumn Open 2026

Saturday, November 28, 2026 leicester, United Kingdom

At a Glance

Divisions

Gi No-Gi Absolute Kids

Ruleset

IBJJF

Entry

£15 - £35

Prizes

Cash

Description

IBJJF Rules...but no advantages!

The Autumn Open will be competed under IBJJF rules, but without advantages. We believe that you should not be penalised for preventing a takedown or pass, and escaping a submission attempt - no matter how close it gets. These can also be subjective, awarded by the referees discretion.

By removing advantages, you are merited for completing your passes, takedowns and submissions, and that's it!

That being said, if a match ends in a draw, the referee will make a decision on who wins based on the entire match.

Official ruleset can be found here.

Rules Meeting - 8:30am

Discount for 2 division entry

Compete in both Gi and No-Gi and get your second division at a discounted rate.

Early bird: 2nd Division = £15

Normal Reg: 2nd Division = £20

Late Reg: Second Division = £25

50% off Female Juvenile and Adult Divisions

We are committed to promoting females in our sport - so that's why for the Autumn Open, All female juvenile and adult divisions (including masters/seniors) are discounted by 50%!

Note: this excludes cash prize absolute and not subject to additional discount for black/brown belts.

50% off for Brown and Black Belts

If you're entering the elite division (brown and black belt) in GI or No-Gi, email us or message us on socials to get a discount code for 50%.

Note: not available for absolute divisions.

Consolation Matches

Where possible - we will offer a second match to competitors who lose the first in their divisions (exc absolutes). This will not always be possible, for example, if divisions have odd numbers, athletes get injured etc but we will always aim to do our best to make consolation matches happen.

Cash Prize Absolute Divisions - Gi and No-Gi - Prize pot 100% of entry fees!

That's right! £20 to enter – 100% of entry fee will be added to prize pot. The bigger the division, the bigger the prize!

These will run as Adults (over 18 and under 30) and Masters (Over 30s, combining Masters 30+ and Seniors 40+)

Absolute division is an additional division for those already signed up for Gi and/or No-Gi divisions already. Absolute divsions cannot be signed up to on their own.

Coach Passes

All teams will be allowed 2 coach passes. These can be collected upon arrival to the venue. Extra passes will be granted for bigger teams:

10+ Athletes = 3 passes

20+ Athletes = 4 passes

Key Times for the Day

Doors open for weigh-ins - 7:30am

Doors Open for Spectators - 8:00am

Rules meeting for athletes and coaches - 8:30am

Matches to start - 9am

Weigh-Ins

The venue will open at 7:30am to start weigh ins.

You must weigh in at least 1 hour before your division start time.

Weigh-ins will be without the Gi. This is for less complications for those competing in both Gi and No-Gi.

There are no allowances. If you miss weight, you cannot be moved up a weight class.

Division Merges

We see competition as an opportunity for athletes to test themselves against different opposition. That is why, where there are less than 3 athletes in a division, we will look to merge. This will be by weight or by age. We will inform you if we merge your division.

If you are not happy with your merged division, or if we cannot find a suitable match, you will be fully refunded.

Divisions of 3 athletes will be run round robin style.

Spectators

Spectator entry will be £5 payable on the door by cash or card.

Doors will open to spectators at 8:00am.

Parking

Bede House Car Park - 1-2 minute walk, 100 spaces

Bede House

11 Western Blvd,

Leicester

LE2 7EJ

Access to the car park is by Bede Island Road off Western Boulevard.

DMU Main Car Park - 5-6 minute walk, up to 400 spaces

The Gateway

Leicester

LE2 7DR

Access to the car park is off Jarrom Street.

Event Details

Schedule

Doors open for weigh-ins 7:30am; doors open for spectators 8:00am; rules meeting 8:30am; matches start 9:00am.

Weigh-In

Venue opens 7:30am for weigh-ins; you must weigh in at least 1 hour before your division start time; weigh-ins without the Gi; no allowances; if you miss weight you cannot be moved up a weight class.

Prize Details

Absolute divisions (Gi and No-Gi) are cash pools equal to 100% of absolute entry fees; absolute entry £20. Absolute divisions run as Adults (over 18 and under 30) and Masters (over 30s, combining Masters 30+ and Seniors 40+).

Spectator Fee

£5 on the door (cash or card)

Divisions

Kids (11 and under) - Gi£25
Kids (11 and under) - No-Gi£25
Female Teen (12-15) - Gi£30
Female Teen (12-15) - No-Gi£30
Male Teen (12-15) - Gi£30
Male Teen (12-15) - No-Gi£30
Female Juvenile (16-17) - Gi£15
Female Juvenile (16-17) - No-Gi£15
Male Juvenile (16-17) - Gi£30
Male Juvenile (16-17) - No-Gi£30
Female - Gi (18+)£17.50
Female - No-Gi (18+)£17.50
Female - Cash Absolute - Gi (18+)£20
Half of entry fee will be added to the cash prize.
Female - Cash Absolute - No-Gi (18+)£20
Half of entry fee will be added to the cash prize.
Male - Gi (18+)£35
Male - No-Gi (18+)£35
Male - Cash Absolute - Gi (18+)£20
Half of entry fee will be added to the cash prize.
Male - Cash Absolute - No-Gi (18+)£20
Half of entry fee will be added to the cash prize.

Organizer

Leicester Grappling Series

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do doors open and matches start?

Doors open for weigh-ins at 7:30am, doors open for spectators at 8:00am, the rules meeting for athletes and coaches is at 8:30am, and matches start at 9am.

What ruleset will be used?

The event will use IBJJF rules, but without advantages. If a match ends in a draw, the referee will decide the winner based on the entire match.

How do weigh-ins work?

Weigh-ins start when the venue opens at 7:30am. Competitors must weigh in at least 1 hour before their division start time, weigh-ins are without the Gi, and there are no allowances; if you miss weight, you cannot be moved up a weight class.

How much is spectator entry?

Spectator entry is £5, payable on the door by cash or card. Doors open to spectators at 8:00am.

Is there a discount for entering both Gi and No-Gi?

Yes. The second division costs £15 during early bird registration, £20 during normal registration, and £25 during late registration.

Are there discounts for female divisions or brown and black belts?

All female juvenile and adult divisions, including masters/seniors, are discounted by 50%, excluding the cash prize absolute. Brown and black belts entering the elite division in Gi or No-Gi can email or message on socials for a 50% discount code; this is not available for absolute divisions.

How do the cash prize absolute divisions work?

Cash prize absolute divisions are available in Gi and No-Gi, cost £20 to enter, and 100% of entry fees go into the prize pot. They run as Adults over 18 and under 30, and Masters over 30 combining Masters 30+ and Seniors 40+; they are additional divisions only for competitors already signed up for Gi and/or No-Gi and cannot be entered on their own.

What happens if a division has low numbers?

Where there are fewer than 3 athletes in a division, the organiser will look to merge by weight or age and will inform competitors. If you are not happy with the merged division, or if no suitable match can be found, you will be fully refunded; divisions of 3 athletes run round robin style.

Will competitors get consolation matches?

Where possible, competitors who lose their first match will be offered a second match, excluding absolutes. This is not guaranteed, for example if divisions have odd numbers or athletes are injured.

How many coach passes are available?

All teams are allowed 2 coach passes, collected on arrival at the venue. Teams with 10+ athletes receive 3 passes, and teams with 20+ athletes receive 4 passes.