ADCC 2026 Preview — The Grappling Festival Comes to Kraków
The ADCC 2026 World Championship at TAURON Arena in Kraków, Poland, on September 12–13. The first edition in Poland, five men’s and three women’s divisions, the Diogo Reis and Mica Galvão storylines, and the superfight left vacant by Gordon Ryan’s retirement — what to watch for.
The ADCC World Championship, often called the Olympics of no-gi grappling, is back. September 12–13, 2026, at TAURON Arena in Kraków, Poland — the first time the ADCC World Championship has been held in Poland, and the organizers say nearly 12,000 seats will be set up for fans. With the event a month away, here's what to watch for.
Source: TAURON Arena Kraków (event page)
The format — five men's divisions, three women's
The men's side has five weight classes with 16 athletes each, and the women's side has three weight classes with 8 athletes each. The women's divisions are 55kg, 65kg and +65kg, and the 2024 champions are Adele Fornarino (55kg), Ana Carolina Vieira (65kg) and Rafaela Guedes (+65kg).
There are two ways to earn a spot: half of each division goes to regional trials winners, and the other half to invited athletes chosen on past ADCC results and reputation. With only 16 people per division on the stage, simply competing is already a career honor.
Source: FloGrappling (2026 invites and format) · FloGrappling (2024 champions)
Storyline 1 — Diogo Reis goes for a three-peat
Diogo Reis, who won the -66kg division in both 2022 and 2024, goes for a third straight title. Another win in Kraków would make him a three-time consecutive champion in the same division.
Storyline 2 — Mica Galvão defends his title
Mica Galvão took silver at -77kg in 2022 after losing the final to Kade Ruotolo, then won the same division in 2024. In Kraków he defends that title.
Source: BJJ Heroes (2022 results) · FloGrappling (2024 results)
Storyline 3 — the superfight after Gordon Ryan
Gordon Ryan, who won three straight superfights, has retired because of health problems and will not compete in 2026, leaving the superfight title vacant. The new champion will be decided between Kaynan Duarte, the 2024 absolute winner, and Yuri Simões. That this is the first ADCC of the "post-Gordon era" is itself the biggest storyline of the event.
Source: FloGrappling (2026 superfight)
ADCC rules differ from the IBJJF — there are no positive points in the first part of the match (the first five minutes at the World Championship), and pulling guard costs a negative point. Get the rule differences and what to watch for from How to Watch Jiu-Jitsu — an ADCC and IBJJF Viewing Guide first, and the event will be twice as fun.
Source: FloGrappling (ADCC rules)