Abu Dhabi to Welcome More Than 1,500 Athletes for 2026 Ju-Jitsu World Championship
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ABU DHABI, July 31, Saudi Arabia Breaking News — Abu Dhabi will host more than 1,500 athletes from around the world when the 2026 Ju-Jitsu World Championship begins at Mubadala Arena on Saturday.
The nine-day tournament, running from August 1 to 9, will feature elite competition across masters, adult and youth divisions, including the under-14, under-16, under-18 and under-21 categories.
Held under the patronage of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the championship is organised by the Ju-Jitsu International Federation and hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
Bringing competitors from every continent to the UAE capital, the event will place both established champions and emerging talent on one of the sport’s most prominent international stages.
The broad range of age categories also reflects Abu Dhabi’s focus on developing athletes throughout their careers and strengthening the pathway from youth participation to elite competition.
Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohamed Alhashmi, chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said Sheikh Khaled’s patronage demonstrated the leadership’s sustained support for sport and highlighted the prominent position jiu-jitsu holds in the country.
He added that Abu Dhabi’s record of hosting major competitions was built on long-term investment in sporting facilities, organisational expertise and athlete development.
The UAE national team will enter the championship seeking further international success, with Alhashmi saying that competing at home would give Emirati athletes additional motivation against the world’s leading competitors.
The federation continues to invest in identifying future champions and providing national athletes with high-level training and support as part of its long-term development strategy.
Hosting the flagship JJIF tournament further strengthens Abu Dhabi’s standing as a major destination for international martial arts and reinforces the UAE’s role in the global growth of jiu-jitsu.
