IBJJF The Crown 2026: brackets, prize and how to watch
Published 1 November 2026 · Updated 1 November 2026 · GREATER News
The Crown, the IBJJF's invitation-only event, takes place on Sunday 8 November 2026 at the Pyramid in Long Beach, California. It brings together 48 athletes across six eight-person brackets, with $20,000 for each champion, and streams only on FloGrappling.
The official brackets are out and they set up two clear storylines: Andy Murasaki is chasing a third straight title with Mica Galvão in the other half of the bracket, while Gabi Pessanha and Erich Munis bring perfect records, having won all three previous editions.
The Crown 2026 official brackets
Each bracket runs over three rounds in a single day. Matchups come from the official brackets released on 29 October; the graphics are by GREATER.
Men's middleweight (82.3 kg)
This is the most anticipated bracket. Murasaki is going for a third straight title, and Mica, making his event debut according to MiddleEasy, opens against Leo Souza. With the two in opposite halves, they can only meet in the final. Before that, Murasaki could face Natan Chueng, a finalist at the latest Worlds, in the semi-finals.
Men's featherweight (70 kg)
Cole Abate, the 2025 champion, is not on the list, so the title will change hands. Sam Nagai is the only former champion in the bracket, and João Mendes, who lost last year's final 4-2 to Abate, starts on the opposite side.
Men's heavyweight (94.3 kg)
Stuart won last year by omoplata against Adam Wardzinski. Fellipe Andrew, champion of the first edition, is in the same half: if both win their opening matches, they meet in the semi-finals.
Men's ultra-heavyweight (no limit)
Munis has won this title at all three previous editions. Anderson Kauan, a double bronze medallist at the latest Worlds, comes in late and opens against Pedro Machado.
Women's lightweight (64 kg)
The 2025 final came down to a single advantage, with Sarah Galvão beating Janaina Lebre 1-0. They are in opposite halves, so a rematch is only possible in the final.
Women's super-heavyweight (no limit)
Pessanha has won every edition so far and took last year's final 6-0. Yara Soares, making her event debut according to the IBJJF, is in the other half.
The Crown champions by year
In bold, athletes also competing in 2026.
| Division | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Featherweight | Sam Nagai | Diego "Pato" Oliveira | Cole Abate |
| Middleweight | Tainan Dalpra | Andy Murasaki | Andy Murasaki |
| Heavyweight | Fellipe Andrew | Adam Wardzinski | Nolan Stuart |
| Ultra-heavyweight | Erich Munis | Erich Munis | Erich Munis |
| Women's lightweight | Luiza Monteiro | Brianna Ste-Marie | Sarah Galvão |
| Women's super-heavyweight | Gabi Pessanha | Gabi Pessanha | Gabi Pessanha |
Late changes
There have been two changes from the initial list. Natan Chueng comes in at middleweight after Jackson Nagai withdrew with food poisoning, according to FloGrappling. Anderson Kauan takes Helder Rodrigues's place at ultra-heavyweight.
How The Crown works
This is the fourth edition of a one-day event that nobody can simply register for: the IBJJF picks the invited athletes. It is contested in the gi, with four men's and two women's divisions. Each champion takes home $20,000 and the trophy.
At the 2024 edition, matches lasted ten minutes under IBJJF rules, with two mats running until the finals. We have not seen that format confirmed again for 2026.
How to watch The Crown live and how much it costs
- Where: only on FloGrappling. It is a paid service, not free-to-air.
- When: the start time is not yet confirmed. FloGrappling's schedule says 18:00 UTC (18:00 in the UK, 19:00 in mainland Spain), but another part of its site shows a different time. It is worth checking on the day.
- How much: a monthly plan at $29.99, or an annual plan at $10.62 a month, paid for the year up front. These are the US dollar prices on its website on 1 November 2026, and they may vary by country and offers.
- How: sign up at flograppling.com, choose a plan and watch in your browser or in the FloSports app (iPhone, iPad and Android). On TV, use Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Google TV or Samsung and Vizio TVs.
- Replays: matches stay in its video library for as long as you are subscribed, although FloGrappling warns that some replays are not available in every country.
- In person: the IBJJF links to ticket sales from its official contender list.
What else is coming up
Straight afterwards comes the Abu Dhabi World Pro 2026, from 9 to 21 November. December brings the IBJJF World No-Gi in Las Vegas, with registration open until 29 November. To compete, it is recommended to have your academy registered and your membership active by the 19th.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is The Crown 2026?
On Sunday 8 November 2026 at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid in Long Beach, California.
Who does Mica Galvão face first at The Crown?
Leo Souza, in the first round at middleweight. Andy Murasaki, the two-time reigning champion, is in the other half of the bracket, so they could only meet in the final.
Where can I watch The Crown live?
Only on FloGrappling, with a subscription: $29.99 a month or $10.62 a month on the annual plan (prices as of 1 November 2026).
How much does each division champion win?
$20,000 and the Crown trophy, according to the IBJJF.
Can anyone register for The Crown?
No. It is an invitation-only event, with 48 athletes across six eight-person divisions.
Sources: IBJJF, announcement · IBJJF, contender list · FloGrappling, official brackets · FloGrappling, late changes · IBJJF, 2025 results · IBJJF, 2023 and 2024 champions · FloGrappling, 2024 format · IBJJF, Yara Soares · MiddleEasy, matchups · FloGrappling, plans and prices (accessed 2026-11-01).