Name: NAGA Chicago Grappling Championship 2026
Start: 2026-11-21
End: 2026-11-21
Location: Oak Lawn Pavilion

ABOUT THIS EVENT

NAGA returns to the Chicago area on November 21, 2026, with gi and no-gi competition at Oak Lawn Pavilion in Oak Lawn. Children, teens and adult age groups can enter divisions matched to their weight and experience. For ordinary divisions, two-person brackets use best-of-three, three-person brackets use round robin, and larger brackets include a third-place route for athletes who lose. These formats give competitors a chance at a second match, subject to injuries, withdrawals and available opponents. Absolute divisions remain single elimination. The day includes check-in, weigh-in and a referee interview before competition. Follow the live brackets for your mat and estimated start time, since the schedule can change during the event.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Weigh in once without your gi; the organizer permits a one-pound allowance. Once your weight is accepted, it cannot be changed. Adults should bring photo identification. Confirm the correct weight and experience category before the event.

Collect registration cards at the front desk, complete weigh-in and speak with a referee for the required division/check-in interview. Weighing alone does not complete confirmation in the system. Follow the bracketing official’s directions if arriving after competition starts.

Check your team name with your coach before registration so team points are credited correctly. Keep checking the live brackets for changes to start time or mat. Before paying or arranging Friday travel, confirm the current price, Friday weigh-in and registration cutoff, and applicable cancellation-credit deadline.

SCHEDULE

Friday, November 20: optional advance weigh-in at the venue. The official event page lists 6–6:30 pm, but the linked schedule still marks the time to be determined; reconfirm before travelling for Friday weigh-in. Saturday, November 21: doors and weigh-ins open at 8 am. Children and teens not weighed on Friday must finish check-in/weigh-in by 9:30 am. Youth athletes already weighed on Friday should arrive at least 60 minutes before their estimated division; if missing from the brackets, arrive by 9:30 am for assistance. Adults should check in and weigh at least 60 minutes before their division. Youth no-gi is estimated to begin around 10 am, followed by youth gi. Adult division order and start times depend on the live brackets. The event header lists a 5 pm end, but this is not a guaranteed finishing time. Brackets are expected Thursday night and can change.

TOURNAMENT DETAILS

Divisions Offered

Gi and no-gi entries are offered for children 13 and under, teens 14–17, and adults. Adult age categories include 18–29, masters 30–39, directors 40–49 and executives 50+. Consult the registration options for exact age, weight, belt and skill combinations. No-gi uses NAGA’s rules; gi follows BJJ scoring with NAGA-specific differences. Experience placement should include wrestling, judo and other grappling, not only BJJ. Competitors cannot enter two different skill levels. Division adjustments may be necessary when suitable opponents are unavailable; discuss any proposed change with the organizer. Additional divisions, including eligible absolute entries, cost $35 USD each. Absolute divisions are single elimination rather than part of the ordinary second-match format. Confirm eligibility before purchasing an extra entry.

Registration & Deadlines

The registration widget currently displays $119 USD for ordinary entries. However, the dedicated registration page starts its $139 normal tier on November 13, while the main event page keeps $119 through November 13 and starts $139 on November 14. Confirm the amount at checkout; this listing does not guarantee $119 for a new payment. The later published rate is $169 on November 19–20. Earlier $79/$99 promotions have expired. Each extra division, including absolute, is $35. Pricing depends on payment time, not when a registration was first started. No Saturday registrations or payments are accepted. The written policy requires registration and payment by the end of Friday weigh-in, while the widget shows a later closing time and Friday weigh-in timing itself differs between pages. Confirm the exact Friday deadline and register earlier rather than relying on the later widget cutoff. NAGA generally does not issue cash refunds. Its written policy offers full future-event credit for cancellation by noon on Friday before the tournament, valid for two years from cancellation. The widget displays later cancellation/coupon deadlines, so do not assume an extension: confirm with NAGA before relying on those times. Credit is not a cash refund. Contact info@nagafighter.com or 860-537-3686 for event-specific questions.

Awards / Medals / Prizes

Expert division champions are listed for championship belts, normally limited to one belt per competitor for ordinary division wins, with stated exceptions for qualifying absolute wins. Silver and bronze medals are listed for second and third. Team awards cover adult overall, adult no-gi, adult gi and children/teens overall. The awards text disagrees on whether non-expert teen winners receive a children’s belt or a gold medal. Confirm the specific award rather than treating either as guaranteed. Children 13 and under who do not place in the top three may request a competitor medal. The cash-prize passage still refers to 2025 events. No cash payout or advertised maximum is promised for this November 2026 tournament without current confirmation.

Coaches, Spectators & Venue Info

Oak Lawn Pavilion, 9401 Oak Park Ave., Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453. This Chicago-area event is in Oak Lawn, not downtown Chicago. Spectator passes cost $20 USD, or $10 for children 12 and under; infants enter free. Passes are available online or at the door. In-person spectator and merchandise payments accept cash, Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Parking fees and hotel packages were not verified.

NAGA Chicago Grappling Championship 2026