IBJJF Pan Championship 2026: Everything You Need to Know

IBJJF Pan Championship 2026

The Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship is one of the most prestigious tournaments in competitive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Held annually in Florida, the Pan Championship attracts elite competitors from across the Americas and around the world.

The 2026 Pan Championship takes place March 24-29 at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida. See the full 2026 IBJJF tournament schedule to plan your competition year around Pans and other major events.

Event Information

Detail	Information
Event	Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026
Dates	March 24-29, 2026
Venue	Osceola Heritage Park
Location	Kissimmee, Florida, USA
Divisions	Adult, Masters, Juvenile
Format	Gi Competition
Venue Detail	Silver Spurs Arena at Osceola Heritage Park
Streaming	FloGrappling (FloSports app)
Brackets	bjjcompsystem.com

Note: If registration numbers exceed capacity for a 4-day event, March 24-25 may be added as additional competition days.

Day-by-Day Schedule

The Pan Championship follows a structured schedule organized by belt level:

Days	Divisions
Days 1-2 (March 24-25)	White Belt, Blue Belt
Days 3-4 (March 26-27)	Purple Belt, Brown Belt
Days 5-6 (March 28-29)	Black Belt, Absolute

The final schedule is released on March 23, 2026, after registration closes on Check Day (March 20). Check bjjcompsystem.com for your exact match times once brackets are posted.

Pro Tip: Check your specific division's day as soon as the schedule drops on March 23. You may only need to be present for 1-2 days, which saves on accommodation costs and lets you plan training or sightseeing around your competition days.

Why Pan Championship Matters

The Pan Championship holds special significance in BJJ:

Prestige Level

Second only to World Championship in prestige
Draws international competitors
Major ranking points available
Career-defining victories

Competition Quality

Elite competitors from Brazil, US, and worldwide
Deep brackets at all belt levels
High-level matches throughout
Test against the best

Timing in Season

After European Championship
Before World Championship
Key preparation event for Worlds
Season momentum builder

Did You Know: Many elite competitors use the Pan Championship as their final dress rehearsal for Worlds. The level of competition at Pans closely mirrors what you will face at the World Championship, making it the best possible test of your game plan before the biggest event of the year.

Anti-Doping Testing

IBJJF has contracted the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for drug testing at the 2026 Pan Championship. Testing includes both blood and urine samples, following the WADA Prohibited Substances List.

Key details for competitors:

Testing can occur in and out of competition
First-instance decisions are not subject to CAS appeal
Results are published on the IBJJF website

Warning: Supplement contamination is a real risk. Many over-the-counter supplements contain trace amounts of prohibited substances. If you take any supplements, verify them through a third-party testing service like NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Sport before competing at events with USADA testing.

Black Belt Qualification

Black belt competitors must earn 40 ranking points to register for the Pan Championship. Points are accumulated through IBJJF-sanctioned events including Opens and other major championships. Former black belt World Champions are exempt from point requirements.

The Pan Championship is the second event in the IBJJF Grand Slam series (Europeans, Pans, Brasileiro, Worlds). For the full qualification breakdown and Grand Slam planning, see our 2026 IBJJF schedule guide.

2026 Athlete Preview

The European Championship 2026 results offer a preview of the talent heading to Pans:

Tainan Dalpra dominated the 82kg division at Euros and enters Pans as a heavy favorite
Gabrieli Pessanha won the +79kg division, establishing herself as the woman to beat
Cassia Moura took the 58kg title with an aggressive, submission-first approach
Alliance led the men's team standings at Euros, with Atos leading the women's

Brackets are not finalized until registration closes, but expect deep divisions at every belt level given Pans' status as the second-most prestigious IBJJF event.

Venue Details

Osceola Heritage Park

The venue complex includes:

Address: 1875 Silver Spur Lane Kissimmee, FL 34744

Facilities:

Silver Spurs Arena (main competition venue)
Multiple competition areas
Warm-up zones
Vendor area
Spectator seating

Getting There

From Orlando International Airport (MCO):

30-40 minute drive
Rental car recommended
Uber/Lyft available

Parking:

On-site parking available
Arrive early for best spots
Consider carpooling

Registration Guide

Registration Process

IBJJF Membership - Must be current
Account Login - Access ibjjf.com
Event Selection - Pan Championship 2026
Division Choice - Select belt, age, weight
Payment - Complete registration

Key Dates

Registration opens several months before event
Early registration deadline (discounted rate)
Regular registration period
Late registration deadline (premium rate)
Final deadline approximately 2 weeks before event
Registration Checkday: March 20, 2026
Schedule Release: March 23, 2026

Registration Fees

Timing	Approximate Cost
Early	$85-110
Regular	$110-140
Late	$140-190

Exact fees listed on IBJJF website

Registration Check Day Policies

Check Day is March 20, 2026. Key policies to know:

Alone in division: If you are the only registrant in your weight class, you receive a full refund or can move to an adjacent division
Single-bracket notification: IBJJF notifies competitors of small brackets after Check Day
Team limit: Maximum of 2 athletes from the same team per weight class per division
Digital membership: Ensure your IBJJF app shows active membership status before arriving. Physical cards are no longer accepted for adult competitors as of January 2026.

Competition Divisions

Adult Divisions

All belt levels compete:

White Belt
Blue Belt
Purple Belt
Brown Belt
Black Belt

Masters Divisions

Age-based categories:

Master 1 (30-35)
Master 2 (36-40)
Master 3 (41-45)
Master 4 (46-50)
Master 5 (51-55)
Master 6 (56-60)
Master 7 (60+)

Juvenile Divisions

Juvenile 1 (15-17)
Juvenile 2 (Under 15)

Travel Planning

Flights

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Major hub with many direct flights
Best airport option
30-40 minutes to Kissimmee

Orlando Sanford (SFB)

Alternative airport
Budget carriers
Longer drive to venue

Accommodation

Near the Venue:

Hotels along US-192
Chain hotels with reasonable rates
Walking distance options limited

Orlando Area:

More hotel variety
Theme park area options
20-30 minute drive to venue

Budget Tips:

Book early for best rates
Consider Airbnb
Share with teammates

Transportation

Rental Car (Recommended):

Convenient for venue and training
Florida requires car for most activities
Book in advance for best rates

Ride Share:

Uber/Lyft available
Can be expensive for multiple trips
Good for airport transfers

Training Before Competition

Gyms Near Kissimmee

Central Florida has excellent training options for a pre-competition tune-up:

Atos Orlando - Part of the Atos network, high-level competition training
ATT Black Boxx (American Top Team) - MMA and grappling focused
Nelson Jiu-Jitsu - Competition-focused academy in the Orlando area
Gracie Barra Celebration - Close to the venue in Kissimmee
Gracie Barra Kissimmee - Walking distance from many Pan competitor hotels

Contact gyms in advance to confirm drop-in policies and class schedules. Most welcome visiting competitors but may charge a drop-in fee ($20-40). Bring your own Gi and arrive early to introduce yourself to the instructor.

Training Strategy

Week Before:

Light technical work
Position-specific drilling
No hard sparring
Focus on your game

Day Before:

Very light movement
Visualization
Rest and hydration
Mental preparation

Pro Tip: If you arrive in Florida from a different time zone, give yourself at least one full day to acclimate. Train lightly at a local gym to stay loose and adjust your body clock, but do not spar hard -- save your energy for competition day.

Competition Day Checklist

Required Items

Optional Items

Foam roller
Resistance bands
Music and headphones
Team banner

Florida in March

Weather

Average high: 27°C (80°F)
Average low: 15°C (59°F)
Possible rain
Humid

What to Pack

Light clothing
Sunscreen
Rain jacket
Venue is air-conditioned (bring layers)

Making Weight

Weigh-In Details

Same-day weigh-in
In competition Gi (for Gi divisions)
Before your bracket starts
No second chances

Weight Management Tips

Know your competition weight
Track weight during training camp
Don't cut more than 3-5%
Prioritize performance over weight class

Warning: The Florida heat and humidity in March can cause unexpected dehydration. If you are cutting weight, be extra cautious -- you will lose more water than usual just walking around. Bring a rehydration plan and electrolytes for after weigh-ins.

Maximizing Your Pan Experience

Before Competition

Arrive in Florida 1-2 days early
Acclimate to time zone/weather
Light training only
Rest and hydrate

During Competition

Arrive early each day
Stay focused on your matches
Support teammates
Learn from watching high-level matches

After Competition

Celebrate your performance
Analyze what worked
Note areas to improve
Enjoy Florida!

Orlando Activities

Take advantage of being in Florida:

Theme Parks

Walt Disney World
Universal Studios
SeaWorld
LEGOLAND (nearby)

Beaches

Cocoa Beach (1 hour east)
Clearwater Beach (2 hours west)
Daytona Beach (1 hour northeast)

Other Attractions

Kennedy Space Center
International Drive
Outlet malls
Golf courses

How to Watch

Live Streaming

The 2026 Pan Championship is broadcast live on FloGrappling via the FloSports app and website. A FloGrappling subscription provides access to all mats throughout the competition.

Platforms: iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, web browser

Brackets and Results

Live brackets and real-time results are available at bjjcompsystem.com. Bookmark your division's bracket to follow along on competition day.

Common Questions

Key Takeaway

The Pan Championship demands serious preparation: register early, book travel months ahead, and build a focused 12-week training camp. Arrive in Florida at least one day early, know the venue layout, and have your weight dialed in before you ever step on the plane.

Can I Compete at Pans as My First Tournament?

Technically yes, but not recommended. Gain experience at local tournaments first and read our first IBJJF tournament guide to prepare properly.

How Many Matches Will I Have?

Depends on bracket size. Could be 1-7+ matches depending on division depth.

Is Coaching Allowed?

Yes, from designated corner area. Review the complete IBJJF rules guide for coaching regulations and all competition rules.

What If I Miss Weight?

Disqualification from that division. You may still compete in Open Class if registered.

Are Wristlocks Legal at Pans?

Yes, wristlocks are legal for purple belt and above at all IBJJF events including Pans. They are not permitted for white and blue belt competitors. Review the full IBJJF rules guide for a complete breakdown of legal techniques by belt level.

Where Can I Check My Bracket?

Brackets are posted on bjjcompsystem.com after the schedule is released on March 23. You can search by name or division to find your bracket, mat assignment, and estimated match times.

What If I Am Alone in My Division?

If you are the only registrant in your weight class after Check Day (March 20), IBJJF offers a full refund or the option to move to an adjacent weight class. You will be notified after Check Day if this applies to you.

Pro Tip: A rental car is almost essential for Pans in Kissimmee. Public transportation is limited in this area of Florida, and you will want the flexibility to drive to the venue, nearby gyms for last-minute training, and restaurants without relying on ride-share pricing during peak demand.

Official Sources

IBJJF Events Calendar - Pan Championship registration and details
IBJJF Books & Videos - Competition rules and weight classes

Training for Pan 2026? Download Rollbook to build your competition preparation plan, track training sessions, and monitor your weight leading up to the event. Our detailed logging helps you peak for major championships. Start your free trial today.

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