The Ultimate Florida Grappling Experience
Two days. One stage. Endless action.
Welcome to Grapplerz Fest by Freestyle Grapplerz at FitFest — a high-energy Jiu Jitsu experience bringing together competitors, academies, spectators, and fans from across the state for an unforgettable weekend of Gi & NoGi competition, showcase matches, championship belts, special guests, seminars, and festival vibes unlike anything else in Florida.
All Ages • All Skill Levels • Gi & NoGi • Hybrid ADCC Ruleset • Team Championships • Cash Prize Absolutes
DATE + LOCATION:
August 15-16, 2026
Florida State Fairgrounds
Tampa, Florida
WHAT IS GRAPPLERZ FEST?
MORE THAN A TOURNAMENT
Grapplerz Fest is where competition meets culture.
Hosted inside FitFest — one of the nation’s largest fitness festivals — competitors and attendees experience more than just matches. Expect:
• Live Gi & NoGi competition
• Hybrid ADCC ruleset action
• Team championship belts
• Custom mini championship belts
• Men’s & Women’s cash prize absolutes
• Special guests and athlete appearances
• Seminars and meet & greets to be announced
• Vendor village
• Food trucks
• Fitness and wellness experiences
• Thousands of attendees across the weekend
• Professional livestream coverage
This isn’t just another tournament.
This is a grappling festival.
ROAD TO SUNDAY
Saturday is only the beginning.
Teams battle throughout Day 1 in Freestyle Grapplerz’ signature Hybrid ADCC ruleset competition to earn qualification into Sunday’s Grapplerz Fest Quintet Championship Showcase.
For youth divisions, the top-performing academies from Saturday will qualify to compete Sunday under the lights on the featured championship mat.
Every match matters.
Every point counts.
Represent your academy.
“The Top Teams Return Sunday.”
SATURDAY OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP DAY
The signature Freestyle Grapplerz competition experience.
• Gi & NoGi divisions
• Kids, Teens, Adults, and Masters
• Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced skill levels
• Men’s & Women’s Absolute divisions
• Team scoring throughout the day
• Team Championship Belt awarded
• Feature matches streamed live on Mat 1
• High-energy crowd and festival atmosphere
Hybrid ADCC Ruleset:
Submission-focused matches with no points in the first half and points beginning in the second half — creating exciting, aggressive, action-packed matches.
SUNDAY QUINTET CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWCASE
One mat. One crowd. One champion.
Sunday transforms Grapplerz Fest into a showcase experience featuring qualified academy teams, featured matchups, and nonstop team-vs-team action streamed live from the championship mat.
• Youth academy quintet championships
• Featured team matchups
• Showcase matches and superfight opportunities
• Live streamed featured mat
• Championship production atmosphere
• Exclusive custom Grapplerz Fest Championship Belt
Saturday earns your place.
Sunday crowns the champions.
COMPETITION DETAILS
DIVISIONS:
Kids • Teens • Adults • Masters
SKILL LEVELS:
Beginner • Intermediate • Advanced
FORMATS:
Gi & NoGi Divisions
SPECIAL FEATURES:
• Team Championship Belts
• Custom Mini Belts for Select Divisions
• Men’s & Women’s Cash Prize Absolutes
• Academy Team Scoring
• Quintet Qualification Opportunities
• Showcase & Superfight Opportunities
MATCH EXPERIENCE:
Compete on professionally designed competition mats surrounded by live energy, festival atmosphere, academy pride, commentary, livestream coverage, and crowd excitement designed to make every match feel important.
SPECIAL GUESTS & EXPERIENCE
MORE THAN MATCHES!
Grapplerz Fest blends elite competition with an incredible community experience.
Throughout the weekend enjoy:
• Special guest appearances
• Seminars and meet & greets to be announced
• Live entertainment
• Fitness festival access
• Vendor shopping
• Wellness and recovery activations
• Family-friendly activities
• Athlete networking and academy exposure
Whether you’re competing or spectating, there’s nonstop action from start to finish.
WHY COMPETE?
WHY ATHLETES LOVE GRAPPLERZ FEST
• Unique festival atmosphere
• Compete alongside thousands of athletes and attendees
• Professionally run event production
• Team-focused energy and academy pride
• High visibility for academies
• Livestreamed featured matches
• Epic awards and custom championship belts
• One of Florida’s most exciting grappling weekends
“Unlike anything else in the state.”
EVENT WEEKEND EXPERIENCE
YOUR ENTRY INCLUDES ACCESS TO FITFEST
Your Grapplerz Fest experience also gives you access to the massive FitFest festival atmosphere featuring:
• Multiple sports competitions
• 100+ vendors
• Fitness challenges
• Wellness services
• Free samples and energy drinks
• Live entertainment
• Special guests
• Community experiences
One registration. One epic weekend.