The Abu Dhabi World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026, officially the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, runs from 9 to 21 November at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City. It is the 18th edition, the last event of the AJP Tour season, and one of the biggest jiu-jitsu competitions anywhere in the world, with total prize money of AED 3 million.
What most people do not realise is that the championship is not one event. It is six separate competitions spread over almost two weeks, from amateurs and para athletes to children and the professional black belts. Which day you go makes a big difference to what you see.
Quick answer: The pro divisions, the ones with the big names and prize money, take place from 19 to 21 November. Earlier days cover amateurs, para athletes, youth, kids and masters. Spectator ticket details had not been published at the time of writing, so check the official AJP Tour channels before you go.
Abu Dhabi World Pro Jiu-Jitsu 2026 schedule
| Dates | Competition | Who competes |
|---|---|---|
| 9 and 10 Nov | World Amateur | Adult amateurs |
| 10 Nov | World Para | Para jiu-jitsu athletes |
| 11 to 13 Nov | World Youth | Teenage competitors |
| 14 to 16 Nov | World Festival | Kids |
| 17 and 18 Nov | World Masters | Older age divisions |
| 18 Nov, 4pm to 7pm | Pro weigh-in | Professional athletes |
| 19 to 21 Nov | World Professional | Purple, brown and black belts, all nationalities |
The schedule above is based on the segment list shared by organisers and reported by Greater. The 2026 edition is held under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, as announced by the Abu Dhabi Media Office.
Which day should you go?
For elite matches: go from 19 to 21 November. Saturday 21 November is the last day of the professional competition, when the remaining titles are settled.
For families: the World Festival from 14 to 16 November is the kids’ event. If your child trains, this is the most motivating part of the championship to watch.
For a quieter visit: the amateur and masters days are calmer, and you can get closer to the mats.
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Tickets: what we know
As of early November, the official event pages had not published spectator ticket prices or conditions, so do not assume entry is free. Check the AJP Tour event page and UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation events portal closer to the date, and follow @adwpjjc on Instagram, where announcements usually appear first.
How to watch online
AJP Tour normally streams its events through the livestream section of each event page on ajptour.com. Highlights and selected matches also go up on the official Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro YouTube channel. The exact streaming platform for 2026 had not been confirmed at the time of writing.
Abu Dhabi is on GMT+4. If you are watching from the UK, local times in Abu Dhabi are four hours ahead. From Pakistan, Abu Dhabi is one hour behind, and from India it is one and a half hours behind.
Getting to Mubadala Arena
Mubadala Arena is inside Zayed Sports City, near Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Parking is free across the complex, and the venue is wheelchair accessible. For questions on the day, Zayed Sports City can be reached on 02 403 4200.
From Dubai, allow around 90 minutes by car. On the final day, arrive early, as parking closest to the arena fills first.
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Why this event matters in the UAE
Jiu-jitsu is taught in many UAE public schools, and the country has built one of the strongest national programmes in the sport. The Abu Dhabi World Pro is where that investment is most visible. You will see Emirati athletes competing against world champions from Brazil, the US and Europe on the same mats.
Pro Tip: Check the brackets on the AJP Tour website the night before. With so many divisions running at once, the brackets are the only way to know when a particular athlete is on the mat.
Our Take
Most visitors only think of the final weekend, but the World Festival for kids is the part of the championship that shows what jiu-jitsu means in the UAE. If you can only go once, choose Saturday 21 November for the professional finals. If you have children who train, take them to the festival days instead. They will remember it longer.
FAQs
When is the Abu Dhabi World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026?
The full championship runs from 9 to 21 November 2026. The professional divisions are from 19 to 21 November.
Where is the Abu Dhabi World Pro held?
At Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi.
Is entry to the Abu Dhabi World Pro free?
Spectator ticket details had not been published at the time of writing. Check the AJP Tour website and social channels before you travel.
How much prize money is on offer?
Organisers say the total prize money is AED 3 million.
Can I watch the Abu Dhabi World Pro online?
AJP Tour usually livestreams through its website, with highlights on its YouTube channel. The 2026 platform had not been confirmed when this guide was published.
