Istanbul set to host Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour season opener

Sponsored by Edge Group, the Turkish capital, Istanbul, will host the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu 2026–2027 season, bringing together elite athletes and academies from around the world at the start of a new campaign filled with high ambitions on the jiu-jitsu mats.

The round will feature athletes representing 67 countries and 157 academies, while registration has reached 87% capacity one month ahead of the competition, reflecting the growing demand for the championship as it continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s premier jiu-jitsu events.

The Istanbul stop follows an exceptional season in which the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam achieved broad international recognition and reinforced Abu Dhabi’s status as a global hub for developing the sport and producing champions through a series of rounds that attracted thousands of athletes from across different continents.

Tariq Al Bahri, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP), affirmed that launching the new season from Istanbul reflects the championship’s continued growth and the high level of confidence it enjoys among athletes and academies worldwide.

He said: “The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam continues to strengthen its international presence year after year, and the figures recorded by the Istanbul round confirm the stature the championship has achieved as one of the most important competitive destinations for jiu-jitsu athletes.”

He added: “We look forward to a new season filled with strong competition and outstanding technical performances that build on the successes achieved over recent years and further promote the growth of jiu-jitsu across the world.”

The Istanbul competitions are expected to feature intense matchups across various divisions and belt categories, marking the beginning of the race for ranking points and the international standings.