The fall competition season is here, and this year it is stacked. Between now and Thanksgiving, several of the biggest jiu-jitsu tournaments in New Jersey are happening within an easy drive of our academy in Fords — in Trenton, Hillsborough Township, Secaucus, and Rahway. If you or your child has ever wondered what competing actually feels like, the next few weeks are a great time to find out.

At Radji Barrett Jiu-Jitsu Academy, we keep the same spirit on and off the competition mat: no egos, just growth and community. Tournaments are simply another place to learn. Some of our students love them. Most of our families never sign up for one. Both are equally welcome here, and nothing on this page changes that.

What a jiu-jitsu tournament actually is

A tournament is a one- or two-day event where students from many different academies come together and wrestle by age, weight, and experience level. You weigh in, you get matched with opponents close to your size and skill, and you do your best with what you know that day. That is it. There is no panel of judges scoring forms, and nobody expects perfection — least of all from a first-timer.

Formats vary. Some events are single-elimination: lose once and your day is done. Others use a round-robin: you wrestle several opponents of similar size and level, so everyone gets multiple matches. Round-robins are especially friendly for beginners and kids, because nobody travels all that way for one thirty-second match and a long ride home.

If your family is still choosing an activity in the first place, our guide to the best martial art for kids explains why so many Woodbridge Township and Edison families end up on these mats.

Competing is always optional here

Worth saying plainly: you never have to compete to train at RBJJ. Training is about growth, not trophies. Competing is an option for students who want it — never a requirement, never a quiet expectation. If a tournament sounds exciting, Professor Radji is happy to talk it through with you. If it sounds like a hard pass, you will lose nothing by skipping it.

What to expect at your first tournament

Every event runs a little differently, but a few things travel well:

  • Weigh-in. Most events weigh competitors in on the day, sometimes right before your division starts. Gi divisions usually weigh with the gi on, so check the event's rules before cutting it close.
  • Gear. Bring the right uniform for your division — a clean gi for gi, or a rash guard and grappling shorts for no-gi. Not sure which style suits you yet? Our gi vs. no-gi guide breaks down the difference.
  • The basics. A mouthguard, a photo ID, water, and snacks. Tournament days are long, and hungry competitors are grumpy competitors.
  • Nerves, wins, and losses. Everyone is nervous in the warm-up area. Everyone loses a match eventually. What students usually remember a year later is not the medal count — it is that they tried.

The fall 2026 tournament schedule

If you have been searching for BJJ tournaments in NJ for fall 2026, here is what is on the calendar near us. Dates, divisions, and deadlines can change, so always confirm on the official event page.

JJWL Finals East — No-Gi (Trenton, Saturday, November 14)

The Jiu Jitsu World League closes its East season at Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton with no-gi divisions for adults and masters. Applications were listed as closing November 11, so if this one is on your radar, check the official event page right away.

NAGA North American Grappling Championship (Hillsborough Township, Saturday, November 21)

NAGA is one of the most beginner-friendly organizations in the country, with kids, teen, and adult divisions in both gi and no-gi. If you have been looking for a kids jiu-jitsu tournament in New Jersey this fall, this event at Iron Peak Sports & Events Center in Hillsborough Township is one of the most established options around. Registration runs in tiers through the week of the event, with a final cutoff at Friday's weigh-in — details on the official event page.

IBJJF New Jersey Fall International Open (Secaucus, November 21–22)

The IBJJF's fall open runs a full weekend at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus. Spectators were listed as free, which makes this a low-pressure way to watch a big event with your family before ever stepping on the mat yourself. Registration was listed as closing November 13 — see the official event page.

Grappling Industries New Jersey (Rahway, Sunday, November 22)

This is the one several of our members have been talking about. Grappling Industries comes to the Rahway Recreation Center, 275 East Milton Avenue in Rahway, with gi and no-gi divisions, round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, and a guaranteed minimum number of matches for every competitor. We are sharing the event with the school because of the interest — if you want a closer look, the official event page has registration and division details.

A referee raises the arm of a young grappler after a match at a Grappling Industries tournament.
A youth match at a Grappling Industries round-robin tournament.

Want to compete? Start here

If you're interested in competing, talk to Professor Radji, and check the Gymdesk app for the upcoming tournament schedule. Members can reach the Gymdesk app anytime through our member login page. Not a member yet? You can become a member online, or come train with us first and decide later.

And if you have never tried jiu-jitsu at all, you do not need a tournament to get started. Come see what Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Fords, NJ is about — our kids program and adult classes are built for day-one beginners. Book a free kids trial class or a free adult trial class — no experience needed, and no pressure to compete, ever.