IBJJF No-Gi Worlds 2026: Dates, Las Vegas Venue & How to Watch
The 2026 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship runs December 10-12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Here's the schedule, the ruleset, qualification, and how to stream every match.
The Biggest No-Gi Event of the Year
The IBJJF World No-Gi Championship is the most prestigious no-gi title under the IBJJF banner -- the no-gi equivalent of the Gi World Championship. For 2026, it closes out the competitive calendar with a marquee event in the sport's adopted capital, Las Vegas.
If you're planning to compete, travel to spectate, or just stream the action, here's everything you need to know.
Quick facts: The 2026 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship runs December 10-12, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. It's the final major IBJJF event of the year and the climax of the fall/winter no-gi season.
Dates and Venue
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | 2026 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship |
| Dates | December 10-12, 2026 |
| Venue | Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV |
| Format | No-Gi, all belts, weight classes + open class |
| Stream | FloGrappling |
The multi-day format typically spreads belts and age divisions across the schedule, with the adult black belt finals as the headline session. Always confirm the exact mat schedule on the IBJJF event page once it's released closer to the event.
The No-Gi Ruleset
This is a no-gi event, which changes what's legal compared to the gi. Most importantly, adult brown and black belts can use heel hooks and knee reaping -- techniques that are banned in the gi for everyone. Lower belts (white through purple) still cannot reap or heel hook, even in no-gi.
The scoring is identical to the gi: 2 for a takedown or sweep, 3 for a guard pass, 4 for mount or back control. For the full breakdown of how no-gi rules differ, see our IBJJF No-Gi vs Gi rules guide and the belt-by-belt legal techniques in our illegal techniques by belt guide.
Pro Tip: No-Gi Worlds is where the modern leg-lock game is on full display. If you're watching to learn, pay attention to the brown and black belt divisions, where heel-hook entries from 50/50, saddle, and outside ashi dominate the highlight reel.
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Qualification: Who Can Compete
No-Gi Worlds is open to competitors across belt levels, but adult black belts must meet a ranking-points requirement to register -- 30 points for the World No-Gi Championship. A few athletes are exempt, including former black belt world champions. For colored belts, registration is open without a points threshold (subject to standard membership and division rules).
If you're chasing a black belt Worlds berth, understanding how points accumulate is essential -- read our IBJJF ranking points guide to map your qualification math.
Warning: Registration deadlines for IBJJF Worlds close weeks before the event, and divisions can fill. If you intend to compete, register early and double-check your weight division and belt eligibility on the official event page.
How to Watch
Like all major IBJJF championships, the 2026 No-Gi Worlds will be streamed live on FloGrappling (subscription required). FloGrappling carries multiple mat feeds during the day sessions and the featured mat for finals. You can watch on desktop, the FloSports mobile app, and connected-TV apps.
Watching from outside the US? FloGrappling is the global broadcaster for IBJJF events. Note the time difference -- Las Vegas is on Pacific Time, so finals sessions may run late at night or early morning in Europe and Asia.
Where No-Gi Worlds Fits in the 2026 Season
December's Worlds is the finale of a busy no-gi stretch:
- Pan No-Gi: October 2-4, Secaucus, NJ
- European No-Gi: October 28 - November 1, Lido di Ostia, Italy
- World No-Gi: December 10-12, Las Vegas
For the complete year, including all gi events, see our IBJJF 2026 schedule and calendar.
Preparing to Compete
If No-Gi Worlds is on your calendar, your prep should reflect the ruleset: a sharp leg-lock game (if you're brown or black belt), strong wrestling and front-headlock entries without gi grips, and the conditioning to handle a fast no-gi pace. Track your training block carefully in the weeks leading in so you arrive peaked, not gassed.
Official Sources
- IBJJF Events Calendar - Official dates and venue confirmation
- IBJJF Athlete Ranking Information - Black belt qualification thresholds
- IBJJF Rules Book & Videos - Full no-gi ruleset
Building toward No-Gi Worlds? Track every session, tag your no-gi rounds, and monitor your competition prep with Rollbook. Walk onto the mat in Las Vegas knowing you did the work. Start your free trial today.
Oss!
