ADCC has begun rolling out official invitations for the 2026 World Championships, with the first batch going to reigning titleholders from the previous edition. The 2026 ADCC World Championship is set for September 12 to 13 in Poland.

Most notably, Gordon Ryan‘s retirement has left organizers without their biggest draw and created a vacuum at the top of the sport’s most prestigious tournament.

Ryan’s participation is uncertain, as he is hosting a training camp in Hungary just one week before ADCC. This leaves questions about who Kaynan Duarte will face as the ADCC 2024 Absolute champion.

The alternatives for Duarte are limited. Felipe Pena sometimes trains at the same academy as Duarte (and Atos HQ is currently undergoing a major shift), while Yuri Simoes has been largely inactive since his last ADCC appearance. Neither matchup generates the excitement needed to anchor the event’s marketing efforts.

Beyond this uncertainty, ADCC 2026 faces logistical and financial challenges compared to recent Las Vegas editions. The event moves to Poland under new organizers who lack the deep pockets and production capabilities Mo Jassim provided previously. Ticket prices are high for the Polish market, ranging from €55 (~$60 USD) for upper-level seats to €800 (~$875 USD) for front-row positions, yet sales have been slow compared to Vegas sellouts.

Industry observers predict ADCC 2026 will resemble more modest productions seen in Finland rather than the elaborate setups of 2022 and 2024.

The participant roster raises further concerns. Several top competitors who skipped the last ADCC to compete in the Craig Jones Invitational may be unwelcome despite their star power. The Ruotolo brothers and Tackett brothers all chose CJI over ADCC after earning spots through trials, likely straining relations with organizers. With exclusivity in ONE FC and UFC BJJ, all four are expected to miss the competition.

Rumors indicate the prize structure remains unchanged despite criticism. Division winners will still receive $10,000, an amount considered low given the tournament’s prestige and the higher payouts at competing events.

The men’s divisions welcome an impressive lineup of returning champions. At 145 lbs (66 kg) Diogo Reis will defend his throne, while Mica Galvão returns at 170 lbs (77 kg). Giancarlo Bodoni takes his spot at 194 lbs (88 kg), with Kaynan Duarte holding the 218 lbs (99 kg) division. In the heavyweight category at 218+ lbs (99+ kg) Felipe Pena secures his invitation as the returning champion.

On the women’s side, three champions earned automatic berths. Adele Fornarino returns at 121 lbs (55 kg), Ana Vieira at 143 lbs (65 kg), and Rafaela Guedes in the 143+ lbs (65+ kg) division.

Additional qualification pathways remain through the trial system currently underway across multiple continents. The European, African, and Middle Eastern Trials in Serbia represent one of the final opportunities for athletes to secure their place in Poland.

Poland will host the championship for the first time, adding another chapter to the tournament’s international legacy.

ADCC 2026 Confirmed Participants So Far

Men’s Divisions

145 lbs (66 kg)

• Diogo Reis, Returning champion
• Niko Mikuliszyn, Trials winner
• Dorian Olivarez, Trials winner

170 lbs (77 kg)

• Mica Galvão, Returning champion
• Magomed Dzharbaev, Trials winner
• Jacob Bornemann, Trials winner

194 lbs (88 kg)

• Giancarlo Bodoni, Returning champion
• Pawel Jaworski, Trials winner
• Jon Thor Blank, Trials winner

218 lbs (99 kg)

• Kaynan Duarte, Returning champion
• Declan Moody, Trials winner
• Achilles Rocha, Trials winner

218+ lbs (99+ kg)

• Felipe Pena, Returning champion
• Mark Macqueen, Trials winner
• Brandon Reed, Trials winner

Women’s Divisions

121 lbs (55 kg)

• Adele Fornarino, Returning champion

143 lbs (65 kg)

• Ana Vieira, Returning champion

143+ lbs (65+ kg)

• Rafaela Guedes, Returning champion