The IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Con 2024 takes place in Las Vegas Nevada from August 29-31
The Jiu Jitsu Con is the largest Jiu Jitsu event in the world and is a full expo occupying 100000 square feet of space in the Las Vegas Convention CenterFrom a competitive standpoint the Jiu Jitsu Con has divisions for every category, gi and no gi divisions, adults and kids and the IBJJF World Master Championship. All told around over 10,000 competitors will take the mats.
The Jiu Jitsu Con has also held numerous related events such as FREE seminars, an Absolute GP, Belt Promotion Ceremonies and more. Tons of vendors are on hand and the who’s who of the Jiu Jitsu World will be present.
Most importantly, it’s a great bonding trip with your Heroes teammates! Last year we had over a dozen competitors make the trip and as many more come out to support and hang out. It’s a great time and we’d tell more stories, but you know what they say about what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
IBJJF Membership
All of the Tournaments are sanctioned and run by the IBJJF and to participate you must be a registered IBJJF member.
The Registration Process begins here: https://ibjjf.com/athletes/become-a-member
For most athletes the online forms at the link should be enough to begin the registration process. Select Heroes Martial Arts as your academy and your professor as Alan Robert Marques (aka Gumby’s real name). Once the forms are filled out the link will go back to Gumby for approval, then there will be an annual fee of $35 and you will be mailed an identification card. Please note that Gumby doesn’t get an automatic notification that a request is in his portal so if you don’t see an approval soon, please message Gumby (or one of the other instructors) so he can go in and approve it. The process is usually smooth, but if you have any issues Gumby can usually work with the IBJJF staff member to sort things out.
The Tournaments
The Jiu Jitsu Con is technically multiple tournaments running at the same time. Literally anyone who wants a match can have a match. In particular for the Masters Division competitors (over 30) this might be your best chance to get multiple matches in a tournament. For example, Gumby rarely sees competitors in his division locally anymore, but his division at the Masters already has 17 signed up!
World Master August 29-31 Masters Divisions 1-7 Blue Belt and up https://ibjjf.com/events/world-master-ibjjf-jiu-jitsu-championship-2024
Jiu Jitsu Con International August 29-30: Adult Divisions Blue Belt and Up https://ibjjf.com/events/jiu-jitsu-con-international-2024
Jiu Jitsu Con Novice International August 29-30: All White Belts, Adults and Masters https://ibjjf.com/events/jiu-jitsu-con-novice-international-2024
Jiu Jitsu Con No Gi International August 29-30: No Gi Divisions Blue Belt and Up https://ibjjf.com/events/jiu-jitsu-con-no-gi-international-2024
Jiu Jitsu Con Kids International August 31 Youth Divisions (under 18) https://ibjjf.com/events/jiu-jitsu-con-kids-international-2024
What day do I actually compete?
Each of the comps actually has a preschedule up, but the IBJJF is a bit notorious for giving a wide range of dates (based on sign ups to be fair) and they are subject to change. Best bet is to make sure you are in Vegas for the range of dates you are likely to go. The tournaments will post a pre-schedule of what are the possible times you might go. Based on past experience we may have clues as to what day and time you might be, but again this is very subject to change!
Comp Preparation and Training
It’s important that if you’re going to go and compete, you prepare for it before hand. Gumby usually begins his prep after the fourth of July, watching his diet, fitness and training regimes for 6-8 weeks prior. Talk to your coach about your best preparations for this (or any tournament really)
Transportation and Lodging
Because of the lower prices and non stop flights available from San Jose SouthWest tends to be the airline of choice for most people. Right now round trip tickets are available for about $200 give or take although in previous years we’ve done the round trip for almost half that. Spirit Airlines also has non stop flights, but fees for things like carry on baggage quickly add up. You might find a cheaper flight (or use miles) but flying non-stop is a must for us.
Some people might opt to drive to Vegas, which is about 10-12 hour each way. In Gumby’s youth it was something he has done more than a few times and the Jiu Jitsu Car Trip is a bit of a right of passage, but he definitely prefers to fly these days.
Hotels are abundant on the strip. The Jiu Jitsu Con has arranged discounted lodging available here: https://ibjjf.com/events/jiu-jitsu-con-international-2024
One thing to keep in mind when finding lodging in that the money you save on hotel fees might be spent on transportation to and from the convention.
Often times team members will lodge together to save funds and for the competition experience. Just remember that we will be going on different days, so while you may be ready to hit the strip after your matches, your roommate may still be cutting weight!
Gumby booked a room at the Sahara this year which is both cheap, close by and (hopefully) nice. Not easy to hit the trifecta!
Hope you can make it out with us this year, the experience is always fun!
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