Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu an Olympic Sport?
No—Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is not currently an Olympic sport.
If you’re searching “Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu an Olympic Sport,” you’re usually trying to figure out whether you’ll ever see BJJ contested at the Olympic Games (the same way we see judo, wrestling, taekwondo, and boxing).
This guide explains the difference between Olympic combat sports and BJJ, why “ju-jitsu” creates confusion, and what to do if your goal is to compete on large multi-sport stages.
Table of Contents
Quick answer
Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu an Olympic Sport? Not right now.
Olympics.com’s Paris 2024 combat sports guide lists boxing, judo, taekwondo, and wrestling (freestyle and Greco-Roman).
Why people ask this question
BJJ has massive growth, big tournaments, and a clear competitive format.
So it feels like it should be on the Olympic program.
It also doesn’t help that you’ll sometimes see “Jiu Jitsu” listed in major multi-sport combat events that are covered on Olympics.com (but that’s not the same thing as the Olympic Games program).
If you’re new to the sport, read: What is BJJ?
https://bjjsportswear.com/blog/what-is-bjj-brazilian-jiu-jitsu/
Olympic combat sports (what’s included)
At the Olympic Games, the combat sports lineup (example: Paris 2024) includes boxing, judo, taekwondo, and wrestling.
That’s why the cleanest answer to “Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu an Olympic Sport?” is “no”—it’s not part of that Olympic combat sports set.
If you want a broader reference point, Olympics.com maintains a complete sports list for the Olympic Games.
The “ju-jitsu” confusion (BJJ vs Sport Ju-Jitsu)
A big reason this topic stays confusing is naming.
You may see “Jiu Jitsu” in multi-sport combat schedules, then assume it’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
For example, Olympics.com’s World Combat Games 2023 preview includes “Jiu Jitsu” sessions in the schedule (qualification, bronze, finals).
Separately, the International Testing Agency’s partner page for the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) states that JJIF represents Sports Ju-Jitsu worldwide and that Ju-Jitsu under JJIF rules is part of the World Games and World Combat Games.
So you can see “Jiu Jitsu / Ju-Jitsu” featured in major events, while BJJ still isn’t on the Olympic Games program.
If you want a simple breakdown of the terminology and roots, read:
https://bjjsportswear.com/blog/jujutsu-vs-brazilian-jiu-jitsu/
Could BJJ ever become Olympic?
It’s possible in the long run, but it’s not a quick process.
For most sports, Olympic inclusion depends on governance, global structure, consistent rules, and the ability to present the sport clearly to spectators.
A practical way to think about it: the more unified and standardized a sport becomes internationally, the easier it is to package for multi-sport events.
(That’s the “big picture” answer without pretending there’s one single checkbox that instantly makes BJJ Olympic.)
What to do if your goal is big competition
If your real goal is “I want to compete on the biggest stages possible,” you have options right now.
One path is BJJ’s own major tournament ecosystem (IBJJF, ADCC-style events, regional circuits).
Another path is following the Sport Ju-Jitsu ecosystem, since Olympics.com coverage and the ITA describe Ju-Jitsu (under JJIF rules) as being part of the World Combat Games and World Games.
If you just want to start training and build consistency first, use these:
- BJJ near me (finding a gym): https://bjjsportswear.com/blog/bjj-near-me-finding-your-path/
- How to choose the best BJJ gym: https://bjjsportswear.com/general-info/choose-the-best-bjj-close-to-you/
FAQ
Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the Olympics right now?
No—Olympics.com’s combat sports guide for Paris 2024 lists boxing, judo, taekwondo, and wrestling, and BJJ is not included.
Why is judo Olympic but BJJ isn’t?
Judo is included in the Olympic combat sports lineup (example: Paris 2024).
BJJ is not listed there as an Olympic combat sport.
Is “Jiu Jitsu” in the Olympics?
Olympics.com’s World Combat Games preview includes “Jiu Jitsu” in that event schedule, but World Combat Games coverage is not the same as being on the Olympic Games program.
The ITA states that Ju-Jitsu under JJIF rules is part of the World Games and World Combat Games, which again is separate from the Olympic Games program.
I’m a beginner—what should I focus on first?
Focus on fundamentals, safety, and showing up consistently.
If you want a simple map for progression, start here: https://bjjsportswear.com/belt-system/bjj-belt-system/