Youth World Championship & Trials FAQ (2025–2026 Season)
Qualifying for Youth Worlds 2026 (August 2026; exact date TBD)
Q: How many people qualify?
A: Overall, 24 kids per age group (and per gender) will qualify for Youth Worlds
10 spots from Trials: 8 from the US trials (4 from West Coast and 4 from East Coast) and 2 from the Brazil trials.
14 spots are from the points from competing in advanced divisions and winning a bronze, silver or gold.
For age group 7-8 there will be a maximum of 16 competitors, there will be no trials for this age group and invites are based solely on points.
Q: What is an “early invite”?
A: Early invites are given to athletes who are significantly ahead in points (at the time of the early invites). If your child did not receive an early invite, it simply means they are still in range with other athletes and will remain eligible through Opens until April 2026.
Youth Trials
Q: When are the Youth Trials?
A: Two U.S. Trials: East Coast (Orlando, Nov 2025) and West Coast (TBD). There will be 1 Brazil Trial in Sao Paulo March 2026. dates are in March.
Q: When are weigh-ins for Trials?
A: Weigh-ins will take place Thursday evening, the day before the Open begins.
Q: Who can compete in the Youth Trials?
A: Athletes ages 9 and up are eligible. There are no trials for kids 8 years old and under.
Q: Can I do more than one division at Trials?
A: No. You may only register for one bracket per Trials event. You cannot enter multiple age groups or weight classes. However, if eligible by belt, you may also compete in an adult or intermediate division.
Q: Can I compete in the Kids’and Adult Trials?
A: Yes.
Q: What if I receive an early invite? Can I still do the Trials?
A: No. Early invitees are removed from Youth Trials to allow others the opportunity to qualify.
Q: How should I choose my weight class for Trials?
A: Register for the weight you can make at the time of Trials, not the weight you expect to be by Youth Worlds. Final Youth Worlds weight classes will be set based on the invited athletes.
Q: How many competitors are allowed per division in Kids’ Trials?
A: Youth Trials divisions are capped at 32 competitors per weight class.
Q: If I am a girl under 12, can I compete in the boys’ division of youth trials?
A: No, regardless of age, girls must compete in the girls’ divisions
Q: Are there any pre requisites to enter Youth Trials?
A: No
Worlds Logistics
Q: How are weight classes determined for Youth Worlds?
A: They are not preset. Classes will be created based on the anticipated weights of invited athletes. The number of competitors per weight division (at worlds) may vary by weight distribution.
Q: What if I turn 18 before the Youth Worlds in August 2026?
A: If you are 18 by the time of Youth Worlds (August 2026, exact date TBD), you may not compete in Youth Trials or qualify for Youth Worlds. (Example: if you were born August 1st, 2008, you will turn 18 before the event).
Q: If I am a girl under 12, can I compete in the boys’ division of Worlds?
A: No, regardless of age, girls must compete in the girls’ divisions (and your age group at the time of Worlds).
Points & Rankings
Q: How are points considered for invites?
A: Youth competitors are awarded points for bronze, silver and gold in the advanced divisions in the ADCC U.S. and Brazil Opens (Jan 2025–Apr 2026).
Q: Why don’t Smoothcomp’s rankings match the invites?
A: The ranking lists on Smoothcomp (divided by age group) only list medals earned within that one age group. ADCC considers all Advanced medals across youth divisions, so an athlete may rank lower on Smoothcomp but be a top contender in ADCC’s list.
Q: Do Canada’s or Mexico’s points count?
A: Canadian and Mexican Opens don’t count directly but are considered as x-factors (to be used as tie breakers, a common occurrence). Adult points are not counted directly either, but may be used as tiebreakers as well.
Q: Can girls compete in boys’ divisions at the opens? Do these points count?
A: Girls 12 years old and under may compete in Boys’ divisions. If it’s an Advanced division, these results will also count toward rankings.
Q: Do my points in higher age groups count?
A: Yes, any points in advanced divisions <18 count towards the ranking.
Q: What happens if a Youth Competitor moves into another age group during the season (e.g. turns 9 and moves up to 9-10)? Are their points carried over?
A: Yes, all points earned in advanced divisions (regardless of age group) are considered and carried over.
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