5 Biggest Jiu-jitsu Events in the UK for Children

There are many excellent events all across the UK for young people who are learning Jiu-jitsu and some of the biggest are the UK-wide championships and regional finalist events in the different constituent parts of the UK. Most of the events run as combined events with adults and children competing in the same venues over the same days.

Scottish BJJ Open

This competition which is held annually is the largest Jiu-jitsu event North of the border and there are sections for people with different belts and weights. There are both adult and juvenile competitions and the maximum number of competitors across all age and weight divisions is currently 300. The event has in recent years been held around February-March time in Motherwell - check online for exact details.

BJJ British Open 

The 2022 event was held at the University of Warwick in Coventry on the 4th and 5th of June and it is expected future events will be held at a similar time of year. As one of the premier Jiu-jitsu events in the UK, the organisers try to accommodate as many competitors as possible and it is therefore compulsory to register early if you wish to participate. 

There are sections based on belts and weights as well as adult and juvenile sections which are split into male and female.

UKBJJA Welsh Nationals

A popular event in the heart of Cardiff, this Jiu-jitsu competition offers winners in both the adult and juvenile categories free entry to the UKBJJA International Open in London in October. This competition runs in August and is the largest event in Wales. 

As with the other competitions, there are divisions and matchups based on weight as well as belt rank and there are separate categories for boys and girls to compete in. 

Great Britain Jujitsu Open Nationals

This was a new competition in June 2022 and it was open to all who wish to compete. It took place at the University of Wolverhampton’s Walsall campus and was a qualification event for JJIF world championship tournaments. Both adults and juveniles were catered for and can take part in this competition. 

As a newly-formed federation, this was an inaugural event but the fact that it is a qualifier for major international competition meant it saw a large number of competitors attending across the full age range. Check out their website for follow-up events.

UKBJJA International Open 

One of the premier events in the UK Jiu-Jitsu calendar, this competition, which is based in London is expected to attract around 1200 competitors and has very stringent rules in place and some serious prize money on offer for the adult winners. The juvenile competitions take place in October at the University of East London where matchups will be made based on weight and belt colour. 

Most of the adult competitions will take place on one of the two days but it may be worth attending both days so your child gets the benefit of seeing the best martial arts masters competing. This will be a very well-attended event with many spectators as well as the participants. 

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