Albany Grappling & BJJ Championship – Albany, NY

Registration Pricing – As Low as $89 to Compete

Your price is based on the date you pay, not the date you register. The registration fee covers one division. Each extra division, including Absolute, is $35.

• $109 – Register through Nov. 28, 2026 with code 2027ALBANY30
• $119 – Register Nov. 29 – Dec. 12, 2026 with code 2027ALBANY20
• $139 – Register Dec. 13, 2026 – Jan. 1, 2027 (Early Bird)
• $169 – Register Jan. 2 – Jan. 6, 2027 (Normal)
• $179 – Register Jan. 7 – Jan. 8, 2027 (Late). Online registration closes at the end of Friday’s weigh-in.

Limit one coupon per competitor per tournament.

* Spectators: Registration includes unlimited spectators (due to laws in NY regarding grappling and combat sports)

Two Matches Guaranteed

Every competitor gets at least two matches per division (barring injury or opponent withdrawal).

• 2-person divisions: best 2-out-of-3
• 3-person divisions: round robin
• 4+ person divisions: competitors who lose their first match move to a third-place bracket and compete again at no extra cost

Prize Money for Expert No-Gi Absolute Winners

NAGA awards prize money to the winners of the Men’s and Women’s Adult Expert No-Gi Absolute divisions, up to $1,000 depending on the number of entrants. See the Prizes tab for eligibility and amounts.

Questions?

Most answers are on our FAQ Page and Smoothcomp’s Support Page. You can also reach NAGA at [email protected] or 860-537-3686.

Get Your Grappling Gear at the Tournament

NAGA is bringing a truckload of grappling gear in children’s and adult sizes for men and women: board shorts, gi bags, rash guards, t-shirts, hats, gi hoodies, patches, skull caps, stickers, dog tags, and more. Cash and major credit cards are accepted (see Registration for accepted cards).

Come Join Our Team

NAGA runs over 100 tournaments a year around the world, and we’re always looking for staff. To become a referee, complete the Referee Application. We also need ring coordinators, security, weigh-in, and awards staff. If you’re not competing and would like to work this event, email [email protected] and tell us which tournament.

Registration Pricing – As Low as $89 to Compete

Your price is based on the date you pay, not the date you register. The registration fee covers one division. Each extra division, including Absolute, is $35.

• $109 – Register through Nov. 28, 2026 with code 2027ALBANY30
• $119 – Register Nov. 29 – Dec. 12, 2026 with code 2027ALBANY20
• $139 – Register Dec. 13, 2026 – Jan. 1, 2027 (Early Bird)
• $169 – Register Jan. 2 – Jan. 6, 2027 (Normal)
• $179 – Register Jan. 7 – Jan. 8, 2027 (Late). Online registration closes at the end of Friday’s weigh-in.

Limit one coupon per competitor per tournament.

* Spectators: Registration includes unlimited spectators (due to laws in NY regarding grappling and combat sports)

How Registration Works

NAGA uses Smoothcomp to register competitors and generate brackets. If you’ve competed in a Smoothcomp tournament before, log in with your existing account. If not, create an account first, then register for this tournament. Brackets are posted Thursday night. There you can see your estimated division start time and mat assignment, and after the event you can see individual and team results.

If you aren’t placed in a bracket, we likely need to speak with you first. Check your registration for a note.

Registration Deadline

Register and pay online by the end of Friday’s weigh-in. We do not accept registrations on Saturday, the day of the event, or in person at the tournament.

Family Discount

Save $35 for each additional family member competing in the same tournament (2 members: $35 off; 3: $70; 4: $105; and so on). The discount applies to competitors only, not spectators.

Register and pay for each competitor separately in Smoothcomp. Then call 860-537-3686 or email [email protected] with each competitor’s name and the tournament. We’ll refund the discount to your original form of payment.

Spectators

Registration includes unlimited spectators (due to laws in NY regarding grappling and combat sports).

Payment at the Event

Spectator tickets and merchandise can be purchased in person with cash or Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. American Express is not accepted.

Team Names

Check with your instructor before registering so you use the correct team name. This ensures team awards are given out accurately. If you used the wrong name, update it in your Smoothcomp profile for future tournaments. To fix it for this tournament, email [email protected] or see us at the event, since NAGA must change it manually.

Changing Your Weight Class or Skill Level

If your weight changed or you entered it incorrectly, you can update your division in your Smoothcomp account.

Transgender Competitors

Competitors are required to register and compete in the division corresponding to their biological sex as assigned at birth. For help registering, contact NAGA at 860-537-3686 or [email protected]. The NAGA Transgender Policy is available here.

Credit / Refund Policy

• Credits: You can cancel for any reason and receive a full credit toward any future NAGA tournament. Cancel by 12:00 PM on the Friday before the tournament by logging into Smoothcomp and canceling your registration (how to cancel). Credits are valid for 2 years from the cancellation date.
• Refunds: As a general rule, we do not issue refunds.

Need Help?

For Smoothcomp account, registration, weight class, or academy questions, start with the Smoothcomp knowledge base. For tournament-specific questions, contact NAGA at [email protected] or 860-537-3686. For password issues, contact [email protected].

Adding Extra Youth Divisions

Children and teens can add one higher weight class or one older age group per division type (no-gi or gi), for a maximum of 4 divisions. Smoothcomp doesn’t allow this, so NAGA adds it manually. Requests must be made by 12:00 PM on the Wednesday before the tournament. Competitors cannot enter multiple skill levels. The extra divisions are $35 each.

Example: a beginner 11-year-old weighing 85 lbs. could add the 90–99.9 lb. weight class OR the 12–13 age category (not both), but not the intermediate skill level. They can do this for no-gi, gi, or both, or go up in weight for one and up in age for the other.

To request an extra division, call 860-537-3686 or email [email protected] with:

• the tournament
• the competitor’s name
• up age or up weight
• no-gi, gi, or both
• your email address (if calling)

NAGA will email you an invoice with a payment link. Once paid, we’ll add the competitor to the additional division(s).

Championship Belts

NAGA awards large championship belts to the champions of every Expert division in all age groups (Children, Teen, Adult, Master, Director, and Executive). Winners of the Absolute Intermediate, Absolute Expert, Absolute Blue Belt, and Absolute Purple Belt/Brown/Black divisions also receive these belts, whether or not they won a belt in their weight class division. Each competitor is limited to one belt per tournament for division wins. The quality and appearance of this award are unmatched.

Children’s Championship Belts

NAGA awards children-sized championship belts to all non-Expert children and teens (17 & under) who win 1st place in their division. Each competitor is limited to one championship belt per tournament. Children and teens (17 & under) who do not place 1st–3rd can request a competitor medal at the front desk or award area at no charge.

Custom Medals

NAGA awards custom gold medals to non-Expert adult division champions. Silver and bronze medals go to all 2nd and 3rd place winners.

Team Championship Awards

NAGA awards custom plates to the winners of the Adult Overall Team Championship, Adult No-Gi Team Championship, Adult Gi Team Championship, and Kids & Teens Team Championship.

Prize Money for Expert No-Gi Absolute Winners

NAGA awards prize money to the winners of the Men’s and Women’s Adult Expert No-Gi Absolute divisions. To be eligible, a competitor must enter both their weight class division and the Absolute division. The prize is based on the number of competitors entered at the start of the division:

• 0–3 competitors: no prize awarded
• 4–7 competitors: $250
• 8–11 competitors: $500
• 12–15 competitors: $750
• 16 or more competitors: $1,000

Notes:

• Some tournaments may have a Master Expert Absolute division. It is not eligible for prize money.
• All Absolute divisions are single elimination.

Friday Night Weigh-In Time and Location
All competitors can weigh-in the night before the tournament. The Friday weigh-in takes place at the venue from 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM.

Competitors are given a one pound allowance, do not need to wear their gi when weighing in, and only need to weigh-in once.

Check-In Times
In order to run the tournament efficiently, it is important that competitors are checked-in and weighed-in by the times listed below. Competitors who arrive after the listed times may not be allowed to compete and will be given a credit to be used at a future tournament. 

• Youths (17 & under): On Saturday, youth competitors who did not weigh-in on Friday, need to be checked-in and weighed-in by 9:30 AM. If you weighed-in on Friday, you need to be at the venue at least 60 minutes before your estimated division start time.
• Adults (18 & over): Adult competitors need to be checked-in and weighed-in at least 60 minutes prior to their scheduled division start time.
• On the Thursday night before the tournament, the brackets will be posted on Smoothcomp. Your estimated division(s) start time can be found at that time. Please note that the schedule is dynamic and constantly updating. Be sure to check the brackets often. If you are in a bracket by yourself, check-in with the bracketing official at the event to go over your options.

What to do When You Get to the Tournament
Doors open on Saturday at 8:00AM. When you arrive at the tournament, you will go to the NAGA front desk to collect your registration cards and any spectator passes you purchased.

Next, you will go to the weigh-in station. After weighing in, you will proceed to the Referee Interview table. The referee will make sure you are in the correct division and all your information is correct. They will then approve you (check you in) in Smoothcomp. You must speak with a referee after weighing in. If not, you will not be confirmed in the system and will be removed from any brackets you are entered. You will be able to check your estimated match start time and mat assignment by logging into your Smoothcomp account at the tournament. For instructions on how to do this, visit HERE.

Spectator tickets can be purchased at the front desk. 

Weigh-In Friday or Saturday
The weigh-ins will take place at the tournament venue.  Adults, please bring a photo ID to weigh-in. You do not wear your gi when weighing in. You are given a one pound allowance. You only need to weigh-in once. If you have any questions contact NAGA at 860-537-3686 or [email protected].

Friday (1/15/27) Weigh-In (Optional) – The Friday weigh-in is open to all competitors. The weigh-ins are from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM.

Saturday (1/16/27) Weigh-In – Weigh-ins open at 8:00 AM.  Youths who did not weigh-in on Friday must be weighed-in by 9:30 AM. If a youth already weighed in, they need to be at the venue at least 60 minutes prior to their estimated division start time. Adults, please check-in and weigh-in at least 60 minutes prior to your scheduled division start time.

Saturday Division Schedule (Doors Open 8:00 AM)
Children and teen no-gi brackets are the first divisions of the day. These begin at approximately 10:00AM. Children and teen gi divisions will follow the no-gi divisions.

Adult no-gi divisions are next, followed by adult no-gi absolute, adult gi, then adult gi absolute. For some tournaments, this order may change (typically no-gi absolute going first). Check the brackets for confirmation of division order.

Please check Smoothcomp the night before the tournament and periodically throughout tournament day. The schedule is dynamic and constantly changing (division start times starting earlier and later). Divisions are sometimes moved to another ring to help keep the flow of the tournament moving smoothly. To check you estimated division start time on Smoothcomp, follow these directions CHECK DIVISION START TIME. There are QR codes at the tournament you or your friends/family can scan to look up brackets. There are NO REFUNDS given to those who have to leave early.

Youths (17 years & under) No-Gi & Gi Competition

• Youths who did not weigh-in on Friday must be checked-in by 9:30 AM.
• If a youth weighed-in on Friday and does not see themselves in a bracket when they are released on Thursday night, please arrive by 9:30AM so we can work to get you into a division.
• Youth final bracketing takes place from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM. 
• Youth No-Gi Divisions – Estimated Start Time is 10:00 AM
• Youth Gi Divisions – These follow the no-gi divisions. Check the Smoothcomp website that day for division start times.

Adult No-Gi & Gi Order of Divisions (typical order, may be altered based on tournament needs)

• Women Divisions (No-Gi goes first followed by Gi)
• Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive No-Gi Intermediate
• Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive No-Gi Expert
• Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive No-Gi Novice
• Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive No-Gi Beginner
• Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive No-Gi Absolute Intermediate and Expert
• Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive No-Gi Absolute Novice/Beginner
• Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive Blue Belt Gi
• Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive Purple, Brown, Black Belt Gi
• Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive White Belt Gi
• Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive Absolute Gi Divisions

No-Gi and Gi (BJJ) Divisions
NAGA tournaments have both no-gi and gi (BJJ) divisions for men, women, children and teens. No-gi divisions follow NAGA’s unique rules and point system. Gi divisions follow traditional BJJ rules and scoring (with some minor differences). The rules for NAGA no-gi and gi (BJJ) divisions can be found here.

Age, Weight, and Skill Levels
Listed below are the age categories. For each age category, weight classes and skill levels are listed. If you have any questions please visit our FAQ page, email [email protected], or call 860-537-3686. When calculating skill level, take into account all grappling experience (BJJ, wrestling, judo, sambo, etc.).

Age Categories

• Children (5 years of age and under, 6-7 years of age, 8-9 years of age, 10-11 years of age, 12-13 years of age)
• Teens (14-15 years of age, 16-17 years of age)
• Adult (18-29 years of age)
• Master (30-39 years of age)
• Director (40-49 years of age)
• Executive (50 years of age and older)

Children (13 & Under) Weight Classes & Skill Levels

• 39.9 lbs. & under
• 40-49.9 lbs.
• 50-59.9 lbs.
• 60-69.9 lbs.
• 70-79.9 lbs.
• 80-89.9 lbs.
• 90-99.9 lbs.
• 100-109.9 lbs.
• 110-124.9 lbs.
• 125-139.9 lbs.
• 140-154.9 lbs.
• 155-169.9 lbs.
• 170 lbs. & over (may need to compete with teens)

• NOVICE (No Submissions Allowed) – 6 months & under of grappling experience. ONLY white belts are allowed in Novice Divisions.
• BEGINNER (With Submissions) – 6 months to 18 months of grappling experience.  ONLY white and gray belts are allowed in Beginner Divisions.  NO yellow, orange, or green belts allowed in BEGINNER Divisions.
• INTERMEDIATE (With Submissions) – 18 months to 3 years of grappling experience. ONLY white, gray and yellow belts are allowed in Intermediate Divisions. NO orange, or green belts allowed in INTERMEDIATE Divisions.
• ADVANCED (With Submissions) – 3 to 5 years of grappling experience. ONLY white, gray, yellow and orange belts are allowed in Advanced Divisions. NO green belts allowed in ADVANCED Divisions.
• EXPERT (With Submissions) – 5 years and more of grappling experience.  No belt restrictions for kids.

Teen (14 – 17 Years Old) Weight Classes & Skill Levels

• 99.9 lbs. & under
• 100-114.9 lbs.
• 115-129.9 lbs.
• 130-144.9 lbs.
• 145-159.9 lbs.
• 160-179.9 lbs.
• 180-199.9 lbs.
• 200 & over lbs.

• NOVICE (With Submissions) – 6 months & under of grappling experience.  ONLY white belts are allowed in Novice Divisions.
• BEGINNER (With Submissions) – 6 months to 18 months of grappling experience.  ONLY white and gray belts are allowed in Beginner Divisions. NO yellow, orange, green or blue belts allowed in Beginner Divisions.
• INTERMEDIATE (With Submissions) – 18 months to 3 years of grappling experience.  ONLY white, gray and yellow belts are allowed in Intermediate Divisions. NO orange, or green or blue belts allowed in Intermediate Divisions.
• ADVANCED (With Submissions) – 3 to 5 years of grappling experience. ONLY white, gray, yellow and orange belts are allowed in Advanced Divisions. NO green belts allowed in ADVANCED Divisions.
• EXPERT (With Submissions) – 5 years and more of grappling experience. Blue belts must do expert. No purple belts, they must compete as an adult.

The belt levels referenced are based on the BJJ belt system. When choosing the experience of your child or teen, please consider numerous factors: how long they have trained, how often they train, their BJJ belt rank, how naturally talented they are in the sport, athleticism in other sports, and how they do against teammates. Challenge your children and have them compete at an appropriate skill level. NAGA has the right to alter a competitor’s division placement after the competitor interview at the tournament.

If a competitor has won the same skill level multiple times at NAGA (and to include the equivalent skill level at other tournaments), they may need to move up a skill level. Contact us if your competitor meets these criteria, and you need assistance selecting their skill level.

When calculating skill level, take into account all grappling experience (BJJ, wrestling, judo, sambo, etc.).

Competitors cannot do two different skill levels i.e. No-Gi Beginner then Gi Intermediate.

Division Merging
At times, especially with children & teens, it is necessary to place competitors into a division for which they did not register. This may be due to them being in the bracket by themselves, it may only have them and a teammate, etc. Competitors are asked to answer a few questions during the registration process to help place them into a new division. At times, due to the pool of competitors, we may need to place them into a division for which they may have answered “no” to this type of move. Whenever a competitor is moved, we will place a note in their registration that describes the move that was made. Please contact us or speak with us at the event if there are any concerns. If you decide you do not want to compete in the division you were moved into, you can receive a full credit for a future event by canceling your registration through the Smoothcomp website, or contacting us.

Youth Notes

• Expert winners are awarded a championship belt. If multiple Expert divisions are won by a competitor, only one belt will be awarded. A gold medal will be awarded for the second division win.
• Non-expert winners are awarded a children’s championship belt. If multiple divisions are won by a competitor, only one belt will be awarded. A gold medal will be awarded for the second division win.
• Children (13 & under) Novice divisions do not allow submissions. Winners are determined by who is ahead in points (takedowns, position, guard passing, etc.) at the end of the match.
• Competitors can only compete in one skill level.
• Whenever possible, your child will be matched up with someone their same age or children within a year old (plus or minus), and in the same weight class. Please understand that under some circumstances they may have to compete with others slightly older or heavier. When checking in at the tournament, if a youth was moved outside of their division, they will be notified, and asked to approve the change. Notes will also be placed in their Smoothcomp registration.
• If there are 2 or more girls in a division, we will create a separate division for the girls. If not, the female competitor will be given the option to compete with the male competitors.
• A competitor must compete in at least one match to win an award. If no one is in your specific division, NAGA will work to get you into a division (different age, weight, or skill).  NAGA makes every effort to create fair divisions based on the pool of competitors at this tournament.

Male Adult, Master, Director, Executive Weight Classes

• Flyweight – 129.9 lbs. & under
• Bantamweight – 130-139.9 lbs.
• Featherweight – 140-149.9 lbs.
• Lightweight – 150-159.9 lbs.
• Welterweight – 160-169.9 lbs.
• Middleweight – 170-179.9 lbs.
• Light-Heavyweight – 180-189.9 lbs.
• Cruiserweight – 190-199.9 lbs.
• Heavyweight – 200-224.9 lbs.
• Super-Heavyweight – 225-249.9 lbs.
• Ultra-Heavyweight – 250 lbs. & over

Female Adult, Master, Director, Executive Weight Classes

• Sub-atomic Weight – 99.9 lbs. & under
• Atomweight – 100-109.9 lbs.
• Strawweight – 110-119.9 lbs.
• Flyweight – 120-129.9 lbs.
• Bantamweight – 130-139.9 lbs.
• Featherweight – 140-149.9 lbs.
• Lightweight – 150-159.9 lbs.
• Welterweight – 160-169.9 lbs.
• Middleweight – 170-179.9 lbs.
• Light-Heavyweight – 180-189.9 lbs.
• Cruiserweight – 190-199.9 lbs.
• Heavyweight – 200 lbs. & over

Adult No-Gi Skill Levels (18 Years And Older)

• Novice – 6 months & under of grappling experience
• Beginner – 6 months to 2 years of grappling experience
• Intermediate – 2 to 5 years of grappling experience (if you are a BJJ blue belt, you must enter at least Intermediate)
• Expert – 5 years & over of grappling experience (if you are a BJJ purple, brown or black belt, you must enter Expert)

Adult Gi Skill Levels (18 Years And Older)

• White (no college wrestlers allowed)
• Blue
• Purple
• Brown
• Black

Adult Notes

• Competitors who have any college wrestling experience cannot enter white belt.
• Blue belts must enter at least Intermediate No-Gi.
• Purple, brown, and black belts must enter Expert No-Gi.
• Expert winners are awarded a championship belt. If multiple Expert divisions are won by a competitor, only one belt will be awarded. If a competitor wins their Intermediate or Expert weight class, and the Absolute, the competitor will receive a second belt.
• Purple, brown, and black belts will be separated whenever there are two or more in a division.  Purple, brown, and black belt winners are awarded a championship belt.  If multiple divisions are won by a purple, brown or black belt competitor, only one belt is awarded. If a competitor wins their blue, purple, brown, black weight class, and the Absolute, the competitor will receive a second belt.
• Competitors can only compete in one skill level (example: cannot do Beginner and Intermediate).
• When calculating skill level, take into account all grappling experience (BJJ, wrestling, judo, sambo, etc.).
• Adult competitors can compete in a lower age category rather than the category they qualify for i.e. Master competes in Adult, Director competes in Master or Adult.
• Adult competitors can compete in multiple age groups, their actual age group, and a lower age group. For example, a 32-year-old Master can compete in Master and Adult divisions. This is considered two divisions, please register accordingly.
• A competitor must compete in at least one match to win an award. If no one is in your specific division, NAGA will place you into a different (age, weight, skill) division.  NAGA makes every effort to create fair divisions based on the pool of competitors at this tournament.

Venue Address
Washington Avenue Armory
195 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210

Hotel
NAGA has partnered with Stay22 to help get you the best lodging prices near the venue.