Question 1

What is Jiu Jitsu Holiday?

Accepted Answer

Jiu Jitsu Holiday is a free directory for BJJ travelers. We list over 1,200 academies across every U.S. state that welcome visiting students, so you can find a place to train before you ever land in a new city. Each listing includes drop-in policies, class schedule info, instructor lineage, safety credentials, and contact details.

Question 2

Is everything really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes — 100% free for everyone. Browsing, searching, sending drop-in requests, creating a traveler profile, listing your academy, claiming your listing, and earning Confirmed status are all completely free. There are no hidden fees, no paid tiers, and no subscriptions.

Question 3

How do I find academies in a specific city?

Accepted Answer

Head to Find Academies and search by city or state. You can filter by affiliation, drop-in policy, and more. Confirmed academies appear at the top — they've been claimed by their owners and have complete, verified profiles.

Question 4

Can I drop in at any academy listed?

Accepted Answer

Most academies in our directory welcome drop-ins, but policies vary. Some charge a mat fee, others offer your first class free, and a few require advance notice or a reservation. Each listing shows the academy's drop-in policy so you know what to expect before you show up. Always confirm directly with the academy if you're unsure.

Question 5

How much does a drop-in class typically cost?

Accepted Answer

Drop-in fees range from free to around $30-$40 per class, depending on the academy. Many schools offer the first class free for visitors, and some waive the fee entirely for traveling grapplers. Each academy listing shows their specific drop-in cost and any notes about pricing.

Question 6

What does "Unclaimed" mean on a listing?

Accepted Answer

An unclaimed listing means the academy is in our directory but hasn't been claimed by its owner yet. The basic information (name, city, phone, website) comes from public data. The listing may be incomplete — once the owner claims and fills in their profile, it will have full details like class schedules, drop-in policies, and instructor info.

Question 7

How do I let a gym know I am coming?

Accepted Answer

Open the gym's page and press "Request a Drop-In". Tell them your dates and anything they should know, and we email the academy directly with your address on the reply line — so when they reply, it comes straight to you. Nothing about your trip is posted publicly; the request goes only to that gym.

Question 8

What should I bring to a drop-in class?

Accepted Answer

Bring your gi (for gi classes), a rash guard or athletic wear (for no-gi), a mouthguard, water, and flip-flops for walking off the mat. Some academies offer loaner gis or gear rentals — check the listing for amenities. You'll likely need to sign a waiver before your first class, which some academies offer online ahead of time.

Question 9

Do I need to sign a waiver?

Accepted Answer

Most academies require a signed liability waiver before your first class. Many Confirmed academies link their waiver directly on their listing so you can sign it online before you arrive. If no waiver link is listed, plan to arrive a few minutes early to fill one out on-site.

Question 10

How do I know if an academy is safe for visiting?

Accepted Answer

Academy listings display safety indicators set by the academy owner — including IBJJF SafeSport compliance, instructor background checks, and lineage information. Confirmed academies have owner-verified profiles. As always, confirm details directly with the academy before your visit, since policies and schedules can change.

Question 11

Do I need an account to browse academies?

Accepted Answer

No account is needed to browse or search the directory. An account is required to send drop-in requests, create a traveler profile, or claim/list your own academy.

Question 12

What is a Traveler Profile?

Accepted Answer

A traveler profile lets you share your belt rank, lineage, training background, and social links so academy owners can learn a bit about you before you show up. It's optional but appreciated — many academies like to know who's dropping in. You can create your profile from your account dashboard.

Question 13

I received an email saying my academy is listed — is this real?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Jiu Jitsu Holiday is a legitimate BJJ travel directory. We source academy information from public data to build a comprehensive directory for traveling grapplers. If you received an outreach email, your academy is already listed with basic info. Claim your listing to take control of it, update your profile, and earn Confirmed status. If you'd prefer not to be listed, reply to the email or contact us and we'll remove your academy.

Question 14

How did you get my academy's information?

Accepted Answer

We compile academy data from publicly available sources — business directories, social media, and public listings. Our goal is to make it easier for traveling grapplers to find places to train. If any information is inaccurate, claim your listing to correct it, or contact us and we'll update or remove it.

Question 15

How do I claim my academy?

Accepted Answer

Find your academy in the directory, then click "Claim This Academy" on your listing page. If your account email matches the one we have on file, your claim is approved instantly and you can start editing right away. If the email doesn't match, an admin will review and approve your claim.

Question 16

How do I register a new academy that isn't listed?

Accepted Answer

If your academy isn't in the directory yet, you can submit a new listing. Fill in your academy details and it will be reviewed by an admin. Once approved, your listing goes live and you can continue building out your profile.

Question 17

Can I edit my listing after claiming?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Once your claim is approved, you can update your description, schedule, drop-in policy, photos, instructor info, and contact details at any time from your Academy Dashboard.

Question 18

What information should I include in my listing?

Accepted Answer

The more detail the better. Travelers are making decisions based on your listing — include your drop-in fee or policy, class times, instructor names and lineage, any safety certifications, and a logo or photo. Academies with complete profiles earn Confirmed status and receive significantly more traveler interest.

Question 19

Will I be notified when travelers visit my city?

Accepted Answer

Yes — every academy with a contact address on file gets an email whenever a traveler sends a drop-in request, with their name and dates. Claimed academies see the full picture: training style, belt level, group size, and the traveler's message.

Question 20

How do I unsubscribe from emails?

Accepted Answer

Every email we send includes an unsubscribe link at the bottom. Click it to opt out of all future emails. You can also reply to any email with "unsubscribe" and we'll remove you. Your listing will remain in the directory unless you specifically request removal.

Question 21

How do I remove my academy from the directory?

Accepted Answer

Email us at info@jiujitsuholiday.com and we'll remove your listing. Please include your academy name and city so we can find it quickly.

Question 22

What is Confirmed status?

Accepted Answer

Confirmed is a free status earned by claiming your academy and completing your profile. It gives your academy top placement in search results, a featured spot on the homepage, and a gold Confirmed badge on your listing. Claiming your academy alone already unlocks full detail on every drop-in request — belt, group size, and the traveler's message — where unclaimed gyms see only a name and dates.

Question 23

What do I need to complete for Confirmed status?

Accepted Answer

You need to fill in 13 fields: academy name, city, state, street address, phone, email, website, description, drop-in cost, head instructor name, head instructor belt level, and whether you offer Gi and/or No-Gi training. A logo is encouraged but not required.

Question 24

How much does Confirmed status cost?

Accepted Answer

Nothing — it's completely free. There are no fees, subscriptions, or hidden costs. Complete your profile and Confirmed status activates automatically.

Question 25

How long does it take to get Confirmed?

Accepted Answer

It's instant. Once you claim your academy and fill in all 13 required profile fields, Confirmed status activates automatically — no waiting period, no approval queue. You'll see the gold badge on your listing right away.

Question 26

Do Confirmed academies get more visitors?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Confirmed academies appear at the top of search results and are featured on the homepage, so they're the first thing travelers see. Full detail on every drop-in request — belt, group size, and the traveler's message — comes from claiming your listing; unclaimed gyms see only a name and dates.

Question 27

What if I remove information from my profile?

Accepted Answer

If required fields are cleared and your profile is no longer complete, Confirmed status is paused until the profile is filled back in. Your listing stays live and visible either way — you just lose the top placement and Confirmed badge until it's complete again.

Question 28

Can I have multiple Confirmed academies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each academy you claim can earn Confirmed independently by completing its profile.

Question 29

What's the etiquette for dropping in at a new gym?

Accepted Answer

Introduce yourself to the head instructor or coach before class starts. Mention your belt level, where you train, and how long you're in town. Roll controlled — you're a guest. Don't coach other students, keep your nails trimmed, and bring a clean gi. A simple "thank you" to the instructor after class goes a long way.

Question 30

Should I contact the academy before visiting?

Accepted Answer

It's always a good idea, especially if the listing says a reservation is required or advance notice is preferred. A quick email, phone call, or DM on Instagram lets the academy know you're coming, confirms the schedule hasn't changed, and shows respect for their space. Many Confirmed academies list their preferred contact method.

Question 31

What belt should I wear when visiting another academy?

Accepted Answer

Always wear the belt you were promoted to at your home academy. It's disrespectful to wear a different belt, and instructors will notice. If you've recently been promoted and feel you might not represent that level, don't worry — no one expects perfection. Just train honestly and have fun.

Question 32

What if my affiliation is different from the academy I'm visiting?

Accepted Answer

The vast majority of academies welcome visitors regardless of affiliation. A few may have restrictions — the listing will note if same-affiliation is required. Cross-training is one of the best parts of traveling for BJJ, and most coaches appreciate meeting practitioners from other lineages.

Frequently Asked Questions

For BJJ Travelers

For Academy Owners

Confirmed Status

Safety & Etiquette