Best Jiu Jitsu Gyms in the World (2026 IBJJF Rankings)

The Best Jiu Jitsu Gyms in the World (2026 Rankings)

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has evolved from a martial art practiced primarily in Brazil to a global phenomenon with world-class academies spanning every continent. Whether you’re chasing world championship titles, seeking technical mastery, or looking for the perfect training environment to develop your game, choosing the right gym can make all the difference in your BJJ journey.

This ranking combines IBJJF competition results, championship titles, elite instructor credentials, and athlete production to identify the absolute best jiu jitsu gyms globally.

How We Ranked the World’s Best BJJ Gyms

Our methodology prioritizes objective performance metrics over subjective opinions:

IBJJF World Championship Team Titles (40%) – Total team titles won at IBJJF Worlds, the sport’s most prestigious competition
Elite Athlete Production (30%) – Number of world champions, ADCC medalists, and top-ranked black belts produced
Competition Performance (20%) – Recent results from 2023-2025 IBJJF Worlds, Pans, Europeans, and ADCC
Global Influence (10%) – Number of affiliate academies worldwide and impact on modern BJJ evolution

#1. Alliance Jiu-Jitsu – São Paulo, Brazil

Team Titles: 15 IBJJF World Championships (most in history)
Founded: 1993 by Romero “Jacaré” Cavalcanti, Fabio Gurgel, Fernando Gurgel, and Alexandre Paiva
Latest Achievement: 2025 IBJJF World Championship team title (86 points vs. AOJ’s 74)

Alliance Jiu-Jitsu holds the record as the most successful competition team in BJJ history. Their 15th world championship title in 2025 came after a nail-biting finish where every match mattered until the final day.

Why Alliance Is #1

Championship Pedigree: No team has won more IBJJF World titles—Alliance’s 15 championships span from the 1990s through 2025

2025 Podium Finishers: Jalen Fonacier (roosterweight gold), Leonardo Mario, Leonardo Ferreira, Marcus “Scooby” Ribeiro, Elizabeth Mitrovic, and Tayane Porfirio all medaled at 2025 Worlds

Depth Across All Belts: Alliance dominated from blue belt through black belt divisions, building point leads early and holding off challenges from AOJ, Atos, and Checkmat

Global Network: Hundreds of Alliance affiliate academies worldwide maintain consistent technical standards and competition focus

#2. Gracie Barra – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Team Titles: Multiple IBJJF World Championships
Founded: 1986 by Carlos Gracie Jr.
Global Reach: 800+ schools worldwide (largest BJJ organization)
IBJJF Ranking: #1 in 2023 IBJJF Academy Rankings

Gracie Barra isn’t just a gym—it’s a global institution that helped transform BJJ into the national sport of Brazil. Founded by Carlos Gracie Jr., son of BJJ co-founder Carlos Gracie Sr., GB maintains the largest network of affiliated schools in the world.

What Makes Gracie Barra Elite

Structured Curriculum: GB’s standardized belt promotion system and technique progression ensures quality control across all 800+ schools globally
Family-Focused Programs: Comprehensive offerings for kids, women, adults, and masters competitors make GB accessible while maintaining elite-level competition teams
Competition Dominance: Held #1 in 2023 IBJJF Academy Rankings ahead of Checkmat, GF Team, and Alliance
Headquarters Training: The Rio de Janeiro HQ regularly hosts 200-300 students per class, with promotion ceremonies bringing 750-1,000 practitioners

#3. Atos Jiu-Jitsu – San Diego, California

Founded: By André Galvão (legend in both gi and no-gi)
Reputation: Known for explosive style and modern techniques
Champions: Kaynan Duarte, Lucas Barbosa, and numerous IBJJF/ADCC medalists

Atos consistently ranks among the top competition teams globally, dominating both IBJJF gi tournaments and ADCC no-gi championships.

Why Atos Ranks in the Top 3

Elite Coaching: André Galvão brings world championship experience as both competitor and coach
Competition Culture: Atos students routinely medal at Worlds, Pans, and ADCC trials
Technical Innovation: Known for developing modern passing systems and aggressive submission chains
World-Class Facility: The San Diego headquarters features state-of-the-art training areas purpose-built for high-level BJJ

#4. Checkmat – São Paulo, Brazil & Los Angeles, USA

Founded: By Leo Vieira
2023 IBJJF Ranking: #2 globally
Specialization: Aggressive technical approach to gi and no-gi

Checkmat rose from newcomer to elite powerhouse in under two decades, combining technical precision with athletic aggression.

Checkmat’s Competitive Edge

Rapid Growth: One of the fastest-growing BJJ teams with top-tier locations in Brazil, USA, and Europe
Curriculum Design: Accelerated learning system helps beginners progress faster while producing world champions
Consistent Performance: #2 in 2023 IBJJF Academy Rankings demonstrates sustained excellence

#5. Grappling Fight Team (GF Team) – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Founded: 1993 by Gama Filho
Current Leadership: Julio Cesar (head coach)
2023 IBJJF Ranking: #3 globally
Achievements: Multiple World Championship team titles

GF Team consistently performs at the highest levels of IBJJF competition with a focus on athleticism, pressure passing, and submission-heavy game plans.

#6. New Wave Jiu Jitsu – Austin, Texas

Founded: 2021 by Gordon Ryan and John Danaher
Type: Private/invite-only gym
Key Athletes: Gordon Ryan (greatest no-gi grappler ever), Garry Tonon, Oliver Taza

New Wave represents the cutting edge of modern no-gi jiu jitsu, led by arguably the greatest coach (John Danaher) and athlete (Gordon Ryan) in the sport’s history.

Why New Wave Is Revolutionary

No-Gi Dominance: Gordon Ryan and Garry Tonon have revolutionized leg lock systems and no-gi strategy
Technical Innovation: Danaher’s systematic approach to position, submission chains, and game planning has influenced BJJ globally
Elite-Only Training: As a private gym, New Wave maintains intensity and focus that open academies cannot match
Limitation: Not accessible to the general public—you must be invited to train

#7. B-Team Jiu Jitsu – Austin, Texas

Founded: 2021 by Craig Jones and Nick Rodriguez
Type: Open program (anyone can join)
Key Athletes: Craig Jones, Nicky Ryan, Nick Rodriguez
Rivalry: Split from Danaher Death Squad to form competing team with New Wave

B-Team emerged from the 2021 Danaher Death Squad split and quickly established itself as one of the world’s best no-gi teams.

B-Team’s Strengths

Public Access: Unlike New Wave, B-Team offers open programs for all levels

Elite Athletes: Nicky Ryan, Nick Rodriguez, and Craig Jones compete at the highest ADCC and no-gi levels

Rivalry Culture: The B-Team vs. New Wave rivalry pushes both teams to constant improvement

#8. Renzo Gracie Academy – New York City, USA

Founded: By Renzo Gracie (legendary member of the Gracie family)
Nickname: “The Blue Basement”
Historic Athletes: Gordon Ryan, John Danaher, Georges St-Pierre trained here
Specialization: Blend of traditional Gracie philosophy and modern MMA/no-gi training

Renzo Gracie NYC is a pilgrimage site for BJJ practitioners—the place where John Danaher developed his legendary squad before moving to Texas.

Legacy and Influence

Historical Significance: The birthplace of the Danaher Death Squad and modern leg lock systems
MMA Integration: Emphasis on no-gi BJJ and submission grappling for MMA applications
Continued Excellence: Despite losing Danaher and Gordon Ryan to Texas, Renzo’s NYC academy remains world-class

#9. Legion American Jiu-Jitsu – San Diego, California

Founded: 2020 by Keenan Cornelius
Facility: One of the most spacious and beautiful BJJ facilities in the world
Specialization: Strongest beginner programs globally

Legion combines elite coaching staff with beginner-friendly programming in a state-of-the-art facility.

What Sets Legion Apart

Beginner Focus: World-class instruction tailored specifically for new students

Facility Quality: Spacious, modern training areas designed for optimal learning

Open Mats: Sunday open mats welcome visitors from around the world

#10. Dream Art Project – Brazil

2023 IBJJF Ranking: #5 globally
Specialization: Consistent high-level competition performance

Dream Art Project rounds out the top 10 with sustained excellence in IBJJF competition, regularly placing in the top 5 academy rankings.

Honorable Mentions

These gyms narrowly missed the top 10 but deserve recognition:

AOJ (Art of Jiu Jitsu) – Costa Mesa, California: Mendes Brothers’ academy, 2nd place at 2025 Worlds (74 points)
LEAD BJJ: Founded 2016 by Bruno Bastos, #10 in 2023 IBJJF rankings
Cicero Costha/Alavanca: Elite Brazilian competition team
Marcelo Garcia Academy – NYC: Legendary technical instruction from Marcelo Garcia

How to Choose the Best Gym for You

The “best” gym depends on your goals:

For World Championship Aspirations: Alliance, Gracie Barra, Atos, or Checkmat
For No-Gi/ADCC Competition: New Wave, B-Team, or Renzo Gracie NYC
For Beginner-Friendly Elite Training: Legion AJJ or Gracie Barra
For MMA Applications: Renzo Gracie NYC or B-Team
For Global Travel/Training: Gracie Barra (800+ locations worldwide)

Final Thoughts

Alliance Jiu-Jitsu’s 15th IBJJF World Championship title in 2025 cements its position as the most successful competition team in BJJ history. However, the global landscape of elite jiu jitsu has never been more competitive, with powerhouse teams like Gracie Barra, Atos, Checkmat, and the Texas-based no-gi teams pushing the sport’s technical and athletic boundaries.

Whether you’re seeking traditional gi-focused training in Brazil, cutting-edge no-gi systems in Austin, or beginner-friendly world-class instruction in California, these top 10 gyms represent the absolute pinnacle of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training globally.

If you’re looking to start your own BJJ journey closer to home, explore our guides to top BJJ gyms in Vancouver and Toronto’s best academies.

BJJ Fundamentals:

Competition & Training:

External Authority Links:

IBJJF Official Results – Official competition rankings
Alliance Wins 15th World Title – 2025 Championship announcement
IBJJF 2025 World Championship Results – Complete brackets and winners