Brazilian jiu-jitsu has become very popular in the world, so it is easy to find jiu-jitsu gyms or schools almost everywhere. But, with so many of them currently out there, you may be wondering, what are the best jiu-jitsu gyms/schools in the world?
In case you didn’t know, Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art focused on grappling and especially fight on the ground with the aim of gaining a dominant position and using joint locks, and chokes to force the opponent to surrender.
The system evolved from a modified version of Judo practiced before World War II including some techniques from classic Jiu Jitsu and a focus on non-waza (ground techniques). It promotes the principle that a smaller, weaker person, using balance and technique, can successfully defend himself against a larger and stronger attacker.
BJJ can be trained for self-defense, sports grappling tournaments (gi and no-gi) and mixed martial arts (MBV, MMA).
This skill originated, you guessed it, in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, wherein 1925 Carlos Gracie opened his academy.
Because of this, and for the quality that it holds for years, Gracie Academy is considered the best Jiu Jitsu school in the world. That said, there are many more great Jiu Jitsu schools/gyms in the world and we will show you the best 15 below, not sorted in any particular order.
Also, if you are interested in who the best jiu-jitsu practitioners that have ever competed in UFC are, check it out in our article.
Best BJJ Bag: Pack Everything You Need For The Mats And Beyond
1. Renzo Gracie Academy
Renzo Gracie is a mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. He is the son of Robson Gracie, grandson of Carlos Gracie, nephew of Carlos Gracie, Jr. and grandnephew of Helio Gracie. Carlos Gracie and Helio Gracie were the first to create the Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
The Gracie brothers have trained many of their sons, who continue the family tradition. Through constant technical refinement in training and real combat, emphasizing floor techniques, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu as we know it today was created. The Gracie family continued to develop the system throughout the 20th century.
Also, Renzo Gracie has competed on all of the biggest mixed martial arts tournaments, like Ultimate Fighting Championship, Pride Fighting Championships, K-1, RINGS, and International Fight League (head-coaching the New York Pitbulls), and he is one of the head coaches in his Jiu Jitsu school.
The second head coach is John Danaher, the man behind the legendary Danaher death squad. This is the elite team of mostly Nogi grapplers that are trained by himself. The team’s innovative approach to leglocks and training has made them dominate the Nogi scene in recent years.
Except for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie school also has excellent training in Muay Thai, and MMA in NYC.
Even thou Renzo Gracie Academy has many gyms around the world, the most known is in Midtown Manhattan.
“We are not in the business of martial arts.
We are in the business of building confidence.Confidence not only to defend yourself—
~ Master Renzo Gracie
we help build the confidence required to face life.”
Most famous students: Gordon Ryan, Nicky Ryan, GSP, Roger Gracie
2. Alliance Jiu Jitsu school
Alliance Jiu Jitsu school is one of the best jiu-jitsu gyms in the world. They have amazing history having won the titles at the World Championships from 2008-2016, and in 1998 and 1999. Its founders are Romero “Jacare” Cavalcanti and his students: Fabio Gurgel, Alexandre Paiva, and Fernando Gurgel.
Alliance Jiu Jitsu has achieved something that has never been accomplished before. In 2010, they won European Championship, Pan American Championship, and the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Alliance Jiu Jitsu school has more then 300 branches spread all over the world, and São Paulo, Brazil is just only one of those.
Most famous students: Sergio Moraes, Bruno Malfacine, Cobrinha, Leonardo Leite, Leo Nogueira, Tarsis Humprhreys, Bernardo Faria, Michael Langhi, Marcelinho Garcia, Lucas Lepri, Isaque Bahiense, Luana Alzuguir, Daniela Genovesi, Nicholas Meregali, Gabi Garcia, Monique Elias, Fernando Terere, Andressa Correa – all world champions
3. Art of Jiu Jitsu Academy
Art of Jiu Jitsu School was founded in 2012 as a collaboration between the multiple-time world champion Mendes Brothers and RVCA founder Pm Tenore.
They had the vision to build a world-class school in traditional and stylish gyms that focus only on Jiu Jitsu, as opposed to some other schools that have trends of being MMA schools.
Most famous students: Tainan Dalpra, Liam Moss
4. ATOS Jiu Jitsu HQ
ATOS Jiu Jitsu is one of the most dominated jiu jitsu schools. They were founded by Ramon Lemos and Andre Galvão, and in a short time, they have created some of the best fighters in the world.
Their coaches have more then 20 world titles in competitive Brazilian Jjiu-jitsu, so you know you are in good hands if you ever start training BJJ there.
Most famous students: Keenan Cornelius, Lucas Barbosa, Kaynan Duarte, Josh Hinger, Gustavo Batista
5. Nova União Academy
Nova União is regarded as one of the best Jiu Jitsu schools in the world. They were founded in 1995 by merging of two teams, Dedé Pederneiras Jiu Jitsu and Mello Tenis Clube, and are led by André Pederneiras and Wendell Alexander.
They have won 2x World Champion (IBJJF) and 2x World Cup Champion (CBJJO).
Most famous students: Vitor Shaolin, Robson Moura, Leo Santos, Fernando Boi, Bruno Bastos, Kiki Melo, Bernardo Pitel, José Aldo, Renan Barão, Jussier Formiga, Marlon Sandro, Thales Leites, Wagnney Fabiano
6. Gracie Academy
One more Gracie school on our list. Carlos Gracie established the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Brazil in 1925. Rorion Gracie brought Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the US in 1978, and then in 1989, he established the first Gracie Academy in North American, Torrance, CA.
They are now in an even larger facility, and are not called Academy anymore, but “Gracie University” to show expanse they had through years. Rener and Ryron Gracie are founders of this new school, and they have developed an amazing online program. They are definitely one of the most successful martial arts schools in the world, with over 1,000 students, but also have a huge online worldwide program with over 150,000 online students from 196 countries.
Most famous students: Brian Ortega
7. University of Jiu Jitsu
The University of Jiu-Jitsu is inspired by the Kodokan, the International Institute of Judo located in Japan. The University of Jiu-Jitsu was founded in 2007 in San Diego, California by Hall of Fame brothers, Saulo and Xande Ribeiro (they are multiple time World Champions, multiple time ADCC champions).
They consider themselves a temple in San Diego, with a high standard for learning. The University of Jiu-Jitsu school is open for champions, as well as complete beginners. They also have Jiu Jitsu Kid’s program in their gym.
The University of Jiu-Jitsu is one f the most beautiful gyms from our list, and if you are in San Diego you should definitely check it out.
Most famous students: Julio Villanueva, Gustavo Dias, Jeremy Bursky
8. Fight Sports Jiu Jitsu
Fight Sports Jiu Jitsu school is focused on the pillars of faith, discipline, integrity, honor, respect, friendship, and family. They seek values and principles through the art, sport, and lifestyle of jiu-jitsu, martial arts, and fitness to build the physical and mental development of each student.
They have all sorts of programs in their school, such as Jiu Jitsu, Fitness, Wrestling, Judo, Self-defense, Capoeira, and program for kids.
The finder of this jiu-jitsu school is Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu, a 5-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion. This gym is always full of great fighters ready to compete at any level.
Fight Sports Jiu Jitsu is a really excellent gym, with great instructors and students, and an amazing school that awaits you with open hands.
Most famous students: Denis Mitchel Pinto, Roosevelt Sousa, Maggie Grindatti
9. Evolve MMA Far East
Evolve MMA is #1 Asian martial arts school. They are huge organizations with lots of gyms, and not only focusing on Jiu Jitsu, but still have some great programs for it as well. It is constantly regarded as one of the best schools for martial arts in the world.
They have a safe, supportive, and fun environment, and offer a program from complete beginners to highest standard professionals. Also, they accept people of all genders, ages, skills, and fitness levels in their gyms.
Evolve MMA has some of the best-designed gyms in the whole world, and their school in Singapore is no different. School in Singapore is only Renzo Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school in the whole of Asia. If you are in the vicinity, you have to check it out.
Most famous students: Matt “The Wizard” Hume, Rafael dos Anjos, Rich Franklin, Ben Askren, Shinya Aoki, Henry Cejudo, Tarec Saffiedine, Joseph Benavidez, Tyron Woodley
10. Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu Academy
The Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu Academy in New York is certainly one of the best jiu-jitsu schools in the world. They have a great environment to train in, and one of the best BJJ instructors in the world, Marcelo Garcia.
Marcelo Garcia is known all over the world as one of the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructors in the world. In his career, he has won the World Championships at all belt levels (blue, purple, brown, and 5 times as a black belt), and the Submission Grappling World Championships (ADCC) four times (2003, 2005, 2007, 2011).
Garcia trains with students seven days a week, but he is not the only instructor there. All of the instructors in Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu school are amazing. The only downside, their gym is getting too small for a lot of interested students.
Notable Students: Gianni Grippo, Mathues Diniz, Bernardo Faria
11. Prana Jiu Jitsu
Prana Jiu Jitsu is a school founded in 2003 by Kenneth Hammarström. They have a big gym for students in the modern environment.
If you are located in Stockholm, or somewhere near in Sweden, go ahead and visit Prana Jiu Jitsu school, you won’t regret it.
12. Arte Suave
Arte Suave Martin (ASMT) is a certified sports club of Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) founded in 2014 and a professionally equipped training hall.
ASMT is part of the international A-Force BJJ line, which was founded by chief instructor Andre “Tim” Monteiro (Black belt 3rd degree).
In Slovakia, it is represented under the name “A-FORCE BJJ lineage Slovakia” under the leadership of Štefan Hupka (Black belt). Their goal is to represent and spread this beautiful and increasingly popular sport and lead people to mutual respect and humility.
They strive to create a friendly environment for development and self-realization not only through BJJ but in general through any sport. That’s why they founded and built a new jiu-jitsu gym in Martin from the ground up, which with its equipment provides the perfect training space for everyone.
Arte Suave Martin offers a pleasant training environment with a friendly atmosphere, actively participating in national and international competition events, and meeting new people and new places. Those who do not have competitive ambitions will learn elements of self-defense from basic movement drills to more complex techniques.
13. Frontline academy
Frontline Academy is Norway’s most qualified BJJ, SW, and MMA gym. They maintain a high professional level and are committed to creating a fantastic environment. Frontline Academy school offers safe and fun martial arts for everyone, and have many group lessons for you to choose from – both daytime and evening.
Their experience is that martial arts are a fantastic sport for everyone, whether you just want to get in shape, learn self-defense, or compete.
14. Le Cercle
The history of the Tissier Circle is linked to that of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. In France, the discipline was born in the Tissier circle in Vincennes. It is indeed there that the legendary Rickson Gracie supervised the first JJB internship in the territory in 1994, under the impetus of Christian Derval, then leader of the Circle, who by his passion and his technical and pedagogical expertise made the Tissier Circle one of the biggest Brazilian jiu-jitsu clubs in the world, and the cradle of this discipline in Europe.
In Le Cercle Jiu Jitsu school, they have many courses, coaches, and students. To remain consistent, a student attendance monitoring system has been put in place. This allows the school to know who comes when and value it for the belt passages. A technical program is followed all year by all the coaches and allows optimal teaching. The courses are segmented by levels to once again put the students in the best possible learning conditions. Everything is done so that each person can flourish according to their personal goals.
They have group lessons in their jiu-jitsu gym where a large number of courses are given each week and at different times of the day. Each student is directed to the courses corresponding to his level. These courses continue throughout the year, including holidays.
Le Cercle jiu-jitsu school also offers online training, podcasts, and a lot more. They are probably the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) gym/school in Europe, and one of the best in the world. If you are in France, go and check them up.
15. Mathias Ribeiro Team
The Mathias Ribeiro BJJ Team, located mainly in Madrid but with subsidiaries in other cities in Spain.
Their Brazilian jiu-jitsu programs have been designed for people who start from scratch, who are committed to their personal success and ready to make a positive change in their lives.
Mathias Ribeiro Team jiu-jitsu school helps children and adults improve their fitness, learn to defend themselves, and gain more confidence and discipline.
Coaches of jujitsu gyms and schools can often organize students to participate in competitions outside. Many students may do well in practice, but they find that they have no chance to use it when in competitions. Therefore, it is necessary to develop one’s own proficient action system in order to naturally deal with various situations in competitions. Students who excel in the game can be rewarded with challenge coins. Victory in every challenge is not easy, only by not being afraid of difficulties and challenges can one gradually improve one’s technical level.
Learn more about custom coins at GS-JJ.This article will the best covers places where you can train and learn BJJ, but to improve confortably you will need the right gear for your training and fights. In particular, the BJJ gi is more than just a uniform; it’s an essential tool that can affect your performance significantly. High-quality gear can help you train better, improve your skills faster, and fight with more confidence during tournaments.
Good luck with your jiu-jitsu training.
