What a year it's been. When we launched the Grappling Series in February 2025, we had a vision: create a professional, well-organised competition series that would celebrate the Irish BJJ community and reward academy consistency throughout the year.
Four competitions and one brilliant community later, we can confidently say 2025 was absolutely unreal.
The Numbers
- 4 competitions held from February to November
- 60+ academies represented across all events
- Multiple international competitors from Portugal, Spain, USA, UK, Brazil, Australia, Singapore, and Northern Ireland
- €2,250 in cash prizes awarded to top academies
- Hundreds of matches across Gi and No-Gi divisions
- All ages and skill levels from kids to black belts
The Competitions
Cork Open 2025 (16 February)
Our inaugural event set the tone for the entire year. Held at Mayfield Sports Complex with Claudio Calasans Jr. as head referee, the first Cork Open welcomed over 30 academies and established the competitive standard we'd maintain all season. Studio Galera made a statement with 333 points, absolutely bossing it and serving notice they'd be a force all year.
Cork Open Spring 2025 (11 May)
The second event introduced a Round Robin format that was met with absolutely class enthusiasm from competitors and coaches alike. More mat time, more matches, and more opportunities to test skills. Studio Galera repeated as champions with 186 points, while Dragon BJJ and Aontach solidified their positions as top contenders.
Cork Open Summer 2025 (21 September)
After the summer break, athletes returned hungry for competition. The race for year-end prizes was tightening, with just 5 points separating Studio Galera (180) and Dragon BJJ (175) on the day. International representation from Australia and the United States added to the global feel of the event.
Cork Open Fall 2025 (30 November)
The season finale delivered proper drama and excellence. Dragon Jiu Jitsu absolutely dominated the day with 220 points, their best performance of the year. When the final tallies were complete, Studio Galera claimed the overall 2025 championship, with Dragon BJJ and Aontach JJ rounding out the podium.
2025 Overall Champions
Studio Galera - €1,000 (1st Place)
817 points | 72 gold | 48 silver | 25 bronze
Fair play to Studio Galera, their consistency was absolutely unmatched. Winning the first three events and securing a podium finish at all four, they demonstrated proper depth across all belt levels and age groups. Their 168 total wins across the season showed the breadth of their competitive roster.
Dragon Jiu Jitsu - €750 (2nd Place)
716 points | 55 gold | 63 silver | 32 bronze
Dragon BJJ's trajectory throughout the year was deadly, culminating in their dominant performance at the Fall finale. Their 145 wins and strong showing in every competition earned them a well-deserved second place overall.
AONTACH JJ - €500 (3rd Place)
604 points | 49 gold | 46 silver | 25 bronze
Aontach's consistency kept them in the top three at every single event. With 129 wins and balanced medal distribution, they proved that sustainable excellence across four competitions is what the Grappling Series rewards.
Beyond the Top Three
While the cash prizes went to the top three, some absolutely class performances came from academies across the board:
- BJJ Cork (4th, 330 points) - Proper strong local representation
- T45 Jiujitsu (5th, 298 points) - Deadly win rate and consistency
- 4Honor Ireland (6th, 257 points) - Medal leaders in bronze
- BJJ Killarney (7th, 251 points) - Kerry's finest bringing consistent results
- Shannon Jiu-Jitsu Academy (10th, 99 points) - Outstanding win percentage
Community and Growth
What made 2025 special wasn't just the competition, it was the community. From kids competing in their first tournament to black belts testing themselves at the highest level, the Grappling Series became a gathering place for the Irish BJJ family.
Parents cheered from the sidelines. Coaches supported their athletes with pride. Referees kept the action fair and safe. Staff ensured everything ran smoothly. And competitors from rival academies shook hands and showed respect.
This is what we built in 2025.
Thank You
To our sponsors: Ground Game Ireland, West Cork Coffee, Sika Strength, SEDA College, Bandon Strength & Conditioning, Fokai Ireland, and Casey's Bar - ye are legends for making cash prizes possible in year one.
To the athletes: Ye are the heart of this series. Your courage, skill, and sportsmanship inspire us.
To the coaches: Your dedication to developing athletes and supporting the competition scene doesn't go unnoticed.
To the families: Your encouragement and support create the atmosphere that makes these events special.
To the venues, referees, and staff: Ye make the magic happen behind the scenes.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The Grappling Series returns on 1 March 2026 at Neptune Stadium for the Cork Open Winter. New venue, same commitment to excellence.
Registration is open now. Start your 2026 competition journey strong.
Register for Cork Open Winter 2026 →
Here's to an even bigger 2026. See you on the mats.
