Major BJJ Competitions: Worlds, Pans, Europeans, and ADCC
Worlds, Pans, and Europeans are separate IBJJF gi championships. ADCC uses a different submission-grappling ruleset with timed scoring phases. IBJJF also runs separately named no-gi championship series.IBJJF Championship Results [1]ADCC Championship Rules & Regulations [4]2026 World Championship Black Belt Recap [5]2026 Pans Black Belt Preview [6]Highlight Black Belt Performers | 2026 European Championships [7]
Use the comparison below to identify the event you are watching, then follow the organizer’s sources for results and current event details.
The championships at a glance
The IBJJF results archive records World and Pan editions from 1996 and European editions from 2004. They award distinct championship titles within the IBJJF framework.IBJJF Championship Results [1]2026 World Championship Black Belt Recap [5]2026 Pans Black Belt Preview [6]Highlight Black Belt Performers | 2026 European Championships [7]
| Event | What it is | Format |
|---|---|---|
| IBJJF Worlds[1] | The World Jiu-Jitsu Championship.[1] | Gi; IBJJF submissions, positional points, and advantages.[2][5] |
| IBJJF Pans[1] | The Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship, a separate title from Worlds.[1] | Gi; the same IBJJF scoring framework.[2][6] |
| IBJJF Europeans[1] | The European Jiu-Jitsu Championship, a separate title from Pans and Worlds.[1] | Gi; the same IBJJF scoring framework.[2][7] |
| ADCC Worlds[4] | The ADCC World Championship, a single-elimination submission-grappling tournament.[4] | ADCC rules; gi optional, with distinct scoring phases.[4] |
Watching an IBJJF match
A submission can finish the match immediately. Otherwise, the score rewards takedowns, sweeps, guard passes, and specified control positions. If points are tied, advantages, penalties, and finally referee decision can decide the result.IBJJF Rule Book (v6.0) [2]
An advantage recognizes a near-scoring action or a submission attempt that meets the rule’s criteria. It is separate from the main points total.IBJJF Rule Book (v6.0) [2]
See BJJ positions explained to recognize the positions behind the scoreboard. Use the IBJJF results archive to check a championship and its divisions.
Worlds and No-Gi Worlds are different events
IBJJF lists World, Pan, and European no-gi championships separately from their gi counterparts. “World champion” therefore needs the organizer, format, and division to identify the title precisely.IBJJF Championship Results [1]2026 World Championship Black Belt Recap [5]2026 Pans Black Belt Preview [6]Highlight Black Belt Performers | 2026 European Championships [7]
Gi competitors wear a jacket, trousers, and belt; IBJJF no-gi uses fitted athletic clothing under separate uniform requirements.IBJJF Uniform Requirements [3]
Compare the equipment and grip rules in Gi vs no-gi.
Watching an ADCC World Championship match
ADCC permits wins by submission, points, referee decision, or disqualification. The opening scoring phase differs between its World Championship qualifying rounds and finals.ADCC Championship Rules & Regulations [4]
Qualifying rounds last ten minutes: the first five have no positive or negative points, then both count. Finals, absolute finals, and the superfight last twenty minutes: negative points count in the first ten; both positive and negative points count in the second ten.ADCC Championship Rules & Regulations [4]
This creates a different scoreboard from IBJJF. For example, ADCC awards 2 points for mount and 3 for back control when its criteria are met; IBJJF awards 4 for each.IBJJF Rule Book (v6.0) [2]ADCC Championship Rules & Regulations [4]
Read the ADCC championship rules for overtime and legal techniques. Trials and open events have their own listed time limits.
Before entering an event
Open the organizer’s current event page and check the date, venue, eligible division, deadline, weigh-in procedure, uniform, legal techniques, and match length before registering or arranging travel.
Frequently asked questions
Are Worlds, Pans, and Europeans the same tournament?
No. They are separate IBJJF championships with separate titles and results, using the same IBJJF rules framework.IBJJF Championship Results [1]IBJJF Rule Book (v6.0) [2]2026 World Championship Black Belt Recap [5]2026 Pans Black Belt Preview [6]Highlight Black Belt Performers | 2026 European Championships [7]
Are IBJJF Worlds and ADCC Worlds the same title?
No. They belong to different organizers and use different rules. ADCC has its own World Championship match phases and scoring.IBJJF Championship Results [1]ADCC Championship Rules & Regulations [4]2026 World Championship Black Belt Recap [5]2026 Pans Black Belt Preview [6]Highlight Black Belt Performers | 2026 European Championships [7]
Is No-Gi Worlds separate from gi Worlds?
Yes. IBJJF maintains a separate World No-Gi championship series in its results archive.IBJJF Championship Results [1]2026 World Championship Black Belt Recap [5]2026 Pans Black Belt Preview [6]Highlight Black Belt Performers | 2026 European Championships [7]
Does ADCC start with a no-points period?
World Championship qualifying rounds start with five minutes without positive or negative points. Finals, absolute finals, and the superfight count negative points during their opening ten minutes, while positive points begin later.ADCC Championship Rules & Regulations [4]
Sources
- [1]IBJJF Championship Results — International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship; European Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship; Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship. Accessed .
- Relevant section: World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship; Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship; European Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship.
- Relevant section: World, Pan and European Jiu-Jitsu Championship headings; separate No-Gi headings.
- Relevant section: World and Pan edition links spanning 1996–2026; European edition links spanning 2004–2026.
- [2]IBJJF Rule Book (v6.0) — International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. Linked 2024JUN rule-book asset; claim locators below identify the relevant articles. Accessed .
Version note: The landing page labels the rule book “v6.0”; the linked 2024JUN asset displays “VERSION 6.1” in its footer. This citation preserves that publisher-side conflict.
- Relevant section: Article 2.1, Submission; Articles 2.5-2.6, Rendering Decisions; Article 4, Points; Article 5, Advantages.
- [3]IBJJF Uniform Requirements — International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. GI Material; GI Color and Patches; No-GI Jiu-Jitsu Uniform Requirements. Accessed .
- Relevant section: GI Material; No-GI Jiu-Jitsu Uniform Requirements.
- [4]ADCC Championship Rules & Regulations — ADCC Submission Fighting World Federation. Overview; How You Can Win; Points (Positive Points). Accessed .
- Relevant section: Overview; How You Can Win; Time Limits — World Championship; Legal Techniques; Points.
- [5]2026 World Championship Black Belt Recap — International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. Introduction; Light-Featherweight; Open Class. Accessed .
- Relevant section: Female Middleweight; Open Class — gi World title and gi season.
- Relevant section: Introduction; Light-Featherweight; Open Class.
- [6]2026 Pans Black Belt Preview — International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. Introduction; Female Lightweight. Accessed .
- Relevant section: Female Lightweight — second major gi event outing.
- Relevant section: Introduction; Female Lightweight.
- [7]Highlight Black Belt Performers | 2026 European Championships — International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. Introduction; Ashlee Funegra. Accessed .
- Relevant section: Ashlee Funegra — black belt gi major debut and major gi title.
- Relevant section: Introduction; Ashlee Funegra.