10 Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu BJJ Gyms in The World

Last updated: October 21, 2026

The quality of a training facility can affect how much progress you make in BJJ. It is important to keep in mind that there are several gyms to choose from. All gyms won't offer the same level of difficulty. Many factors determine what makes a gym successful. You may see a list of the top BJJ gyms in the world further down in this article.

If you want a quick answer, the IBJJF academy ranking shows which teams win the most medals. At the time of writing, Gracie Barra, Alliance, and CheckMat hold the top three places in the 2025 to 2026 standings. This article takes a wider view. It also looks at coaching, lineage, training culture, and the chance to train with respected names, so some gyms below rank high for reasons that team points do not capture.

Judging the best BJJ gyms is subjective. Everyone has their biases toward certain lineages and academies. The following list was created based upon three simple factors.The scores shown for some gyms below, such as Training Partner and Gym Atmosphere, are our editorial opinion and not official ratings.

A gym's most crucial element is its head coach and the instructors who run it. The head coach is the one who sets the tone of the training. Many students become attracted to BJJ gyms if the instructors and head coach have good reputations.

The best instructors on this list are well-known in BJJ circles. They have shown an ability to organize and teach their students well and have been a great source of inspiration.

The quality of a jiu-jitsu gym is evident based on the number of students it produces. It is not a coincidence that the best gyms produce the best jiu-jitsu athletes and students.

 Students greatly benefit from their instructor's knowledge and the guidance of their teammates. Some gyms may not be competitively focused, but those who teach good jiu-jitsu techniques tend to have strong competitive teams.

A gym's reputation is crucial to the success or decline of its jiu-jitsu program.

Having a good reputation in BJJ attracts more students to successful gyms. Many of these gyms have attracted students from other countries. This is evidence that such fitness centers are of a high caliber.

Nearly every gym listed below has several hobbyist grapplers. These gyms also welcome visiting students. An advantage of learning at a BJJ academy is the chance to train alongside some of the most respected fighters in the world.

The Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu Academy is located in the midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. It is an excellent yet underappreciated BJJ training facility. The school is widely acclaimed because of its highly skilled and supportive coaches. They will train and teach you like they would their own children. It has a relaxing environment where you can learn at your own pace and in your own place. The building does not have any signs or logos, so most people are unaware of this BJJ training school. You should consider a few things before choosing a school.

Renzo Gracie practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts. He is the son of Robson Gracie, the grandson of Carlos Gracie, the nephew of Carlos Gracie Jr., and the grandnephew of Helio Gracie.

Many students at this academy were trained by the Gracie brothers, who continue to carry on the family tradition. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as we know it, was created through technical refinement and actual combat. Throughout the 20th century, the Gracie family made significant advancements to the martial art.

Renzo Gracie also competed in major mixed martial arts tournaments, such as the Ultimate Fighting Championships, Pride Fighting Championships, K-1, and RINGS. Additionally, he is one of the top jiu-jitsu coaches in the world.

John Danaher taught at the academy for many years and built the Danaher Death Squad there, a team of No-Gi grapplers known for leg locks and an innovative approach to training. He left the academy in 2020.

Atos Jiu-Jitsu School is highly recommended for anyone who lives on the West Coast. The illustrious Andre Galvao is the owner of this school, with the headquarters being located in San Diego, California. Andre is widely considered to be one of the top jiu-jitsu coaches worldwide. His impressive resume from taking part in competitions proves that he knows his stuff.

Atos has produced IBJJF world champions, and the academy ranked seventh in the IBJJF 2024/2025 academy standings.” I did verify that ranking. Also check the “6,000 videos” claim. Even if your home is not in California, you can still learn jiu-jitsu from this school. Registering with this school allows you to access over 6,000 videos and sessions teaching specific jiu-jitsu techniques. The school even offers a class for kids that teaches jiu-jitsu basics.

PM Tenore, the creator of RVCA and multiple-time champion of BJJ tournaments, established the Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy (AOJ) in July 2012. Tenore founded AOJ to popularize jiu-jitsu and contribute to the local community.

• 9.5/10 for the instructors
• Training Partner: 9/10
• Gym Atmosphere: 10/10

The school's mission is to provide world-class training in a traditional and attractive setting. Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy has remained a jiu-jitsu-only academy rather than becoming a mixed martial arts (MMA) school.

This gym is simply stunning and has received a 10/10 rating in terms of training environment. People who have seen or visited the gym or seen it in pictures online often call it "Jiu-Jitsu Heaven." The Mendes Brothers did a great job creating an environment that promotes training. They offer classes every day of the week. They also provide an online learning program for those unable to travel.

Cicero Costha opened his school in Sao Paulo, inheriting Marco Barbosa's black belt.

Soon after, he started a charity project to help kids growing up in troubled neighborhoods via BJJ. The objective was to provide children with a feeling of purpose and keep them off the streets. The project was titled "Lutando Pelo Bem" by Costa ("Fighting for Good"). Although the gym facilities may be essential, jiu-jitsu standards are high. The training is intense and students work hard to achieve mastery of jiu-jitsu.

• Head Coaches: Cicero Costha
• Notable Students: Miyao Brothers, Leandro Lo, Thailison Soares

Canadian residents can train at Tristar Gym in Montreal. Firas Zahabi manages this gym which is ranked high among the top MMA and BJJ training centers worldwide.

Zahabi received his black belt from John Danaher at Renzo Gracie Academy. Zahabi has graciously continued to teach jiu-jitsu techniques in Canada. Many internationally acclaimed fighters like David Loiseau, Denis Kang, and Miguel Torres have used this gym to train for competitions. Tristar Gym offers grappling lessons and will help you improve your fighting abilities.

Tristar Gym also provides training in Muay Thai, boxing, and wrestling. BJJ classes are offered every Monday through Saturday at noon. 

Nova Uniao Jiu-Jitsu Academy is considered one of the top jiu-jitsu schools. It was founded in 1995 through the merging of two teams: Dede Pederneiras Jiu Jitsu (Mello Tenis Clube) and Dede Pederneiras Jiu-Jitsu (Dede Pederneiras Jiu-Jitsu). Andre Pederneiras and Wendell Alexander were the leaders of the respective teams.

They won the IBJJF World Championship and the CBJJO World Cup Championship twice.

The academy’s most renowned students are Vitor Shaolin, Robson Moura, Leo Santos, Fernando Boi, Bruno Bastos, Kiki Melo, Bernardo Pitel, Jose Aldo, Renan Barao, Jussier Formiga, Marlon Sandro, Thales Leites, Wagnney Fabiano

Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu is a school belonging to the renowned brothers, Saulo Ribeiro and Xande Ribeiro. Together, the Ribeiro Brothers have won 13 World Championships in Gi BJJ. Few grapplers have more BJJ experience than these two. Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu currently has 50 affiliates worldwide and the brothers frequently visit for seminars.

The brothers also own the BJJ library online database, updating it regularly with new content.

• Head Coaches: Saulo & Xande Ribeiro
• Notable Students: Rafael Lovato, Jr.
• Online Channel: BJJ Library

Thanks to East Coast Jiu-Jitsu Academy, one of the largest BJJ academies in the world, jiu-jitsu in Ireland thrives. This academy has been growing steadily for many years. Darragh O'Conaill became a purple belt in his gym after his coach was injured and he was offered the chance to lead the academy. Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu soon became O’Conaill’s business partner. O’Conaill began to train regularly in San Diego to get his black belt. He earned his black belt and was named the European No-Gi Champion in 2018.

O’Conaill competes with his academy's growing members every day, including children, teens, and adults. There is also a solid female squad that includes Ffion Davies, a Welsh grappler. They have won multiple Irish championships and were awarded the IBJJF Dublin Open Title in 2019. Their dominance is evident and were recognized as a significant gym by Flo Grappling at the 2018 Worlds Training Camp. O’Conaill have formed a competitive team and is now seeing its first black belts make a name for themselves in Europe. East Coast now boasts Irish affiliate gyms, now recognized as an impressive martial art success story.

Frontline Academy in Norway teaches BJJ, grappling, and MMA gym in the world. They have professionals of the highest caliber and are committed to creating a comfortable training atmosphere unlike any other. Frontline Academy has enjoyable martial arts classes suited for every skill level. They also provide group classes that are available day and night for your convenience.

According to reviews, learning martial arts at Frontline Academy is an excellent way to learn for all ages, whether you're looking to train, compete, or learn self-defense.

Looking for the best BJJ academy in the world by results? The IBJJF publishes an academy ranking every season. Schools earn points when their athletes place first, second, or third at IBJJF championships, from Open events to the Pan Championship, the European Championship, and the World Championship. The ranking rewards academies that win across many divisions, including kids, juvenile, adult, and master.

For the 2024/2025 season, the IBJJF top 10 academies were Gracie Barra, CheckMat, Alliance, GF Team, AOJ, Fratres Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Atos Jiu-Jitsu, DreamArt, Nova União, and Carlson Gracie Team. At the time of writing, the 2025 to 2026 standings show Gracie Barra first, Alliance second, and CheckMat third. Gracie Barra, AOJ, and Pablo Silva BJJ collect many of their points at kids championships, which matters if you are choosing a school for a child.

This ranking and our list measure different things. AOJ, Atos, and Nova União appear on both. Marcelo Garcia, Renzo Gracie, Ribeiro, and Tristar earn their place here through coaching, lineage, and training environment, which team points do not measure. Use the ranking to see who wins, and use the list above to see who teaches.

Searching for the best BJJ gyms in the USA? Five gyms on this list are based there. Here is every gym above by country.

1. United States: Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu Academy and Renzo Gracie Academy in New York, Atos Jiu-Jitsu and Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu in San Diego, and Art of Jiu-Jitsu in Costa Mesa, California.
2. Brazil: PSLPB Cicero Costha in Sao Paulo and Nova Uniao.
3. Canada: Tristar Gym in Montreal.
4. Ireland: East Coast Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Dublin.
5. Norway: Frontline Academy.

Gracie Barra and Alliance also run affiliate schools in many cities, so one may be close to you even if you live far from the gyms listed.

This is an excellent point to bring up. But there is no right response to this question. All the gyms mentioned above can claim that they are the best jiu-jitsu gym worldwide. The gyms listed are top-notch when it comes to teaching jiu-jitsu, with world-class facilities, coaches, and excellent training partners. You can train at these gyms if you live close by or are willing to travel.

Most readers will not move to New York or San Diego to train, so the best gym for you is often the best one within reach. Use these checks to compare local academies.

1. Take a trial class before you pay. Notice whether the instructor corrects beginners or only teaches the advanced group.

2. Ask who teaches and what belt they hold. A black belt instructor with a clear lineage is a good sign, and you can search the IBJJF registered academies list to see whether a school is registered.

3. Watch live rolling. Look for training partners who control their pace and look after newer students.

4. Match the schedule and classes to your goals. A fundamentals class, gi and No-Gi classes, and kids or women’s classes matter more than a famous name.

5. Compare price, contract length, and travel time. You will train more often at a gym you can reach easily.

For a longer checklist, read our guide on what to weigh before you pick a BJJ school.

Because we grapplers don't have any place to store proteins in the body, they must get a variety. If you do not consume enough protein, your body may resort to consuming itself, which will result in a loss of muscular strength.

You won't get better at BJJ if you don’t put in the effort when attending the best BJJ classes in the country. When learning at some of the most BJJ schools around, it is essential to work hard. You can't expect the best from any instructor if you're unwilling to try your hardest. However, it is not difficult to see that you can learn many essential BJJ skills by training at top-notch gyms.

Photo Credit: @marcelogarciajj , @renzogracieacademy , @atosjiujitsuhq , @artofjiujitsu , @cicerocosthaoficial , @tristargym , @novauniao , @ribeirojiujitsulamesa , @ecjja , @frontlineacademy