Reviewed by the BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team for technical accuracy and kept current.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Leicester runs through a Gracie Barra academy and a Roger Gracie Academy affiliate, plus a not-for-profit community club.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Leicester is a modest scene with two recognised lineage academies and a community club. For a beginner, the choice is mostly about which lineage and timetable suit you, and the short distances make consistent training realistic.
The main decision is between the structured global curriculum of Gracie Barra and the Roger Gracie lineage at RGA, or the lower-cost community model at Combat Base. All have verified coaching. Confirm the head coach's black belt lineage, check the weekly beginner class count, and take the free trial.
Our guide on choosing a BJJ gym close to you covers the affiliation-versus-independent trade-off.
Leicester memberships are mid-to-lower range for the UK, with the not-for-profit club cheaper than the lineage academies. Most bill monthly with a separate one-off gi cost. Confirm what open mat and no-gi access are included.
Yes — Gracie Barra Leicester at 31 St John Street (LE1 3WL) is the only Gracie Barra-affiliated academy in the city, running the standardised curriculum with access to the IBJJF competition circuit.
Yes — RGA Leicester is a Roger Gracie Academy affiliate based in Wigston, carrying the lineage of 10-time world champion Roger Gracie.
Combat Base Leicester is a not-for-profit club run by four coaches, with a lower-cost, community-oriented model than the lineage academies.
Mid-to-lower range for the UK, with the not-for-profit club cheaper than the lineage academies. Expect a monthly membership plus a one-off gi cost.
Yes. All three academies run beginner classes and offer trial sessions. No martial arts background is needed to start.
Founder & Editor, BJJ Sportswear
Mohsin has trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for six years at Gracie Barra and has competed at IBJJF-affiliated tournaments. He writes about competition, gear, and athlete careers, and founded BJJ Sportswear to help grapplers find equipment and information they can trust.
This article was last reviewed and updated on 2026-08-28.