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The North American Grappling Association (NAGA) are the world’s largest mixed grappling tournaments with over 700,000 competitors worldwide. NAGA tournaments offer both no-gi and gi (BJJ) divisions. On Saturday, January 20, 2024, NAGA comes to the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany, NY for the NAGA Albany Grappling Championship. Come as an individual or as a team to compete. On social media, use hashtags #NAGAALBANY and #NAGAFIGHTER so we can see your photos and videos. We look forward to seeing you on the mats!
Location
Washington Avenue Armory
195 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210
Family Discount
We understand it can be expensive having multiple family members train and then compete. NAGA does offer relief to families who have multiple family members competing in the same NAGA tournament. The discount only applies to competitors, not spectators. When registering a family, you register each competitor individually. For 2 family members the discount is $25, 3 members is $50, 4 members $75, and so on.
To obtain a family discount, register all the family members who are competing, then call our office at 860.537.3686 or email us at info@nagafighter.com. We will need the names of the competitors, and which tournament they are registered. We will then refund your form of payment the appropriate family discount amount.
In Smoothcomp, you need to register and pay for each competitor individually.
Spectators
The registration fee includes unlimited spectators (due to laws in NY regarding grappling & combat sports).
Frequently Asked Questions
Many of your questions can be answered on our FAQ Page, or Smoothcomp’s support page.
Get Your Grappling Gear at the Tournament
NAGA is bringing a truckload of grappling gear (Board shorts, gi bags, rash guards, t-shirts, hats, gi hoodies, patches, skull caps, stickers, dog tags, etc.) in children and adults sizes, for males and females. Check out the huge selection of gear and apparel at the NAGA tournament. Cash and credit cards are accepted (AmEx is not accepted).
Come Join Our Team
Each year NAGA runs over 75 tournament a year across the world. We are always looking for new staff members to join the NAGA team. If you are interested in becoming a referee, complete the Referee Application. We also have positions available such as ring coordinator, security, weigh-in, awards, etc. If you are not competing and would like to work an event, email us at info@nagafighter.com. Please indicate which tournament you are interested in working.
NAGA Early Registration $10 Coupon
We are offering a $10 coupon to those who register by one month before the tournament date. Competitors who register by midnight on December 20, 2023, enter ALBANY2024 when you checkout at Smoothcomp and $10 will be discounted from your overall fee. Please Note: Only one coupon code can be used at checkout per competitor, per tournament.
Registration/Bracketing Using Smoothcomp
NAGA uses the Smoothcomp tournament management system for registration and bracketing. Smoothcomp is a tournament management system that allows you to register and pay for a tournament online. The system generates brackets that competitors can view and track their estimated division start time and their mat assignments. Post event, individual and team results are posted on Smoothcomp.
If you have competed in a Smoothcomp tournament in the past, you can login to Smoothcomp with your login credentials and register for this tournament. If this is the first time you are using Smoothcomp, you will need to create an account with them before you can register for a NAGA tournament.
Brackets are posted on Friday night. If you were not placed into a bracket, the reason is likely that we need to speak with you before placing you into a division.
Team Names
We ask that all competitors check with your instructor before registering to make sure you are registered under the correct team name. This will ensure that the team awards will be given out accurately at the event. If you are already registered and used the incorrect name, please change it in your Smoothcomp profile so it is correct for all future tournaments. Instructions on how to change the name can be found HERE. But for the change to take effect at this tournament, NAGA needs to change it manually. Please check with us at the tournament or email us at info@nagafighter.com to take care of it.
Changing Weight Division or Skill Level After Registering
Due to changes in your weight or just a simple mistake of entering the incorrect weight or skill level, you may need to change them. You can do so from your Smoothcomp account. Instructions to do this can be found HERE.
Many of your questions on how to use Smoothcomp can be found answered on our FAQ page HERE.
Registrations on Tournament Day are Not Accepted
All competitors need to be registered and paid by the end of Friday’s weigh-in session (see the schedule for time). Registrations are not accepted at the tournament on Saturday.
Transgender Competitors
Transgender females must compete in the men’s division. The NAGA Transgender policy can be found HERE.
Registration Deadlines
Normal Registration
Register by the deadline to avoid paying the late registration fee.
Late Registration
For those who register from 1/13 – 1/19/24 the registration fees are:
The amount you are charged is based on when you actually pay not when you entered your information into the system. If you entered your information during the early registration timeframe and selected to pay later, then you paid during the late registration period, the late registration price is what you will be charged.
Cash or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and Discover) are the only accepted forms of payment in person (spectators and merchandise).
Spectators
The registration fee includes unlimited spectators (due to laws in NY regarding grappling & combat sports).
Assistance with Registration
If you are having issues setting up a Smoothcomp account, registering, need to change a weight class or academy, or any Smoothcomp related questions, visit the Smoothcomp knowledge base here. Many of your questions can be answered on this page. If further assistance is needed please contact NAGA via email info@nagafighter.com or call 860.537.3686. Contact NAGA for answers to any tournament specific questions (location, times, skill levels, etc.). For password related issues, please contact Smoothcomp support at support@smoothcomp.com.
Credit/Refund Policy
Multiple Divisions for Youths & Teens
Youth and teen competitors who want to compete in an additional higher weight class or older age group division can do so for the extra division price. This must be done by 12:00PM, the Wednesday before the tournament. You can add one additional weight class or age group per division type (no-gi or gi), for a maximum of 4 divisions. Competitors cannot do multiple skill levels.
As an example: a beginner 11 year old 85 pound competitor could add the 90-99.9 weight class OR the 12-13 year old category (not both). They cannot add the intermediate skill level. They can do this for no-gi, gi, or both. If they wanted to go up in weight for no-gi and up in age for gi (or vice-versa) we can accommodate that request.
If you would like to add an additional division (or two), call the office at 860.537.3686 or email info@nagafighter.com. The following information is required in order to add the extra division(s): which tournament, the competitor’s name, up age or up weight, no-gi/gi/both, payment method (credit card, PayPal, Stripe), and the email address (only needed if you are calling in). NAGA will email you an invoice with a link to pay for the extra divisions. Once payment is made we will copy the competitor into the additional division(s).
Championship Belts Awarded
NAGA awards championship belts to all Youth, Teen, Adult, Masters, Director, and Executive, Expert division champions, and purple, brown, and black belt champions (Limit 1 belt per competitor per tournament for division winners). Absolute Intermediate, Absolute Expert, Absolute Blue Belt, and Absolute Purple Belt winners are awarded belts. Absolute division winners will win a belt even if they win one in their weight class division. This award is unrivaled in quality and appearance.
Samurai Swords Awarded to Youth & Teen Winners
NAGA awards samurai swords to all non-expert Youth & Teen division champions (limit 1 per competitor per tournament). Custom medals will be awarded to all 2nd & 3rd place winners. Swords are not awarded in Europe.
Custom Medals Awarded
NAGA awards custom gold medals to non-expert adult division champions. Silver and bronze medals are awarded to all 2nd & 3rd place winners.
Team Championship Belts Awards
NAGA awards awesome championship belts to the Youth & Teens Overall. Please make sure your team registers under the same affiliation. For more information on setting up your team/school/academy to be with the correct affiliation and to make sure you get all the points, please read this document NAGA Coaches Handout. Individual points that are earned towards a team championship are based on the skill level of the division and what place was taken. A breakdown of points awarded can be found here.
Free Gift for Competitors
Every competitor at a NAGA tournament will receive a free gift. The item can be picked up at the tournament right next to weigh-ins.
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.
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 info@nagafighter.com.
Friday (1/19/24) Weigh-In & Registration Option – The Friday weigh-in will be open to all competitors regardless if you pre-registered or not. The weigh-ins are from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM.
Saturday (1/20/24) Check-In & Weigh-In – Weigh-ins open at 8:00 AM. Youths & Teens who did not weigh-in on Friday must be weighed-in by 9:30 AM. If a youth/teen 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 no-gi divisions will follow the 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
Adult No-Gi & Gi Order of Divisions (typical order, may be altered based on tournament needs)
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 info@nagafighter.com, or call 860-537-3686.
Age Categories
Children (13 & Under) Weight Classes & Skill Levels
Teen (14 – 17 Years Old) Weight Classes & Skill Levels
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.
Competitors cannot do two different skill levels i.e. No-Gi Beginner then Gi Intermediate.
Youth Notes
Male Adult, Master, Director, Executive Weight Classes
Female Adult, Master, Director, Executive Weight Classes
Adult No-Gi Skill Levels (18 Years And Older)
Adult Gi Skill Levels (18 Years And Older)
Adult Notes
Venue Address
Washington Avenue Armory
195 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210
Hotel
NAGA has partnered with Stay22 to help get you the best lodging prices near the venue.
NAGA World Headquarters
400 Halls Hill Road
Colchester, CT 06415
Call: 860-537-3686
Email: info@nagafighter.com
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