Short answer
To drop in at a BJJ gym abroad, find an academy that welcomes visitors, message it a few days ahead with your belt, how long you have trained and which session you want, and ask about the mat fee and any waiver. Bring a clean gi, your real belt and no-gi kit. On the mat, bow in, introduce yourself to the coach, ask before you roll, tap early and match your partner’s pace. Thank the coach on the way out. In GymMaps, filter by martial arts, choose BJJ or No-Gi Grappling under Disciplines and tick Drop-ins welcome.
One of the best things about Brazilian jiu-jitsu is that it travels. The same techniques, the same belts and much of the same etiquette apply from London to Lisbon to Bali. Turn up at a good academy in a new city and within an hour you can be rolling with strangers who feel like teammates.
It is also easy to get wrong. Turning up unannounced to a class that has been cancelled, wearing the wrong belt, or going too hard with a local blue belt are all ways to make a visit awkward. This guide covers everything, from finding the gym to saying thank you, so you can be the visitor every academy is happy to see again.
Step 1: Find a gym that welcomes visitors
Most BJJ academies are happy to take visitors, but not all of them. Some are small private clubs, some only run closed competition-team sessions, and some cap class sizes. Start by looking for gyms that clearly mention drop-ins, visitors or open mats.
Find BJJ drop-ins in GymMaps
- Open the map and tap Filters.
- Under Gym Type, choose martial arts.
- Open Disciplines and pick BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), No-Gi Grappling, or both.
- Under Travel essentials, tick Drop-ins welcome. Add English spoken if you do not speak the local language.
- Open a gym to see photos of the mats, opening hours, prices where members have added them, and reviews from other travellers.
Then check the gym’s own Instagram or website. Recent posts tell you more than anything else: whether classes are busy, whether the coach is around this month and whether open mats are still running.
Step 2: Message the gym before you go
This is the single most useful thing you can do. Timetables change, coaches travel to competitions, and some gyms close for public holidays. A short message also tells the coach a visitor is coming, which makes your first five minutes far easier. Instagram and WhatsApp are often the quickest way to reach a gym.
A message you can copy
Hi, I’m visiting [city] from [date] to [date] and would love to train with you. I’m a [belt] belt and have trained for [time] at [home gym]. Could I join the [day and time] class or open mat? What is the drop-in fee, and is there anything I need to bring or sign? Thank you!
Mentioning your home gym is useful. Jiu-jitsu is a small world, and the coach may know your instructor or affiliation.
Step 3: Choose a class or an open mat
Most gyms offer both, and they suit different visitors.
| Class | Open mat | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A coach teaches techniques, then you drill and usually spar | Free rolling with little or no instruction |
| Best for | Learning the gym’s style and meeting the coach | Getting lots of rounds in |
| Who is there | Members at your level, sometimes split by belt | A mix of belts, often visitors from other gyms |
| Cost for visitors | Usually a drop-in or mat fee | Sometimes cheaper or free, sometimes the same fee |
| Booking | Often needed, especially for popular or capped classes | Usually turn up, but check it is still running |
If you are a white belt, or this is your first visit to a gym, take a class. You meet the coach, see how the room works and get paired sensibly. Open mats are great once you know the room, but they are less supervised and often attract experienced visitors looking for hard rounds.
Step 4: Mat fees, waivers and paperwork
Mat fees
Most gyms charge visitors a mat fee or drop-in fee. There is no standard price. It depends on the country, the city and the gym, and ranges from free to around the cost of a commercial gym day pass, or more at well-known academies. For a stay of a week or longer, ask about a weekly or class-pack price, which is often much better value.
Some gyms waive the fee for visitors who buy a T-shirt or rash guard, and some open mats are free. Never assume, though. Ask in your message, carry some cash in case card payment is not possible, and pay before you step on the mat.
Waivers and ID
Expect to sign a liability waiver, often on paper or a tablet at the front desk. Some gyms ask for ID or contact details too, so arrive ten or fifteen minutes early to do the paperwork without holding up the class.
Step 5: Pack the right kit
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Gi | At least one clean gi, two for a longer trip. A plain one avoids any issue with other academies’ patches. |
| Belt | Your real belt. Visiting gyms use it to pair you with training partners. |
| No-gi kit | Rash guard and shorts or spats, even if you plan to train in the gi. |
| Flip-flops or sliders | For walking off the mat to the toilets or changing rooms. |
| Mouthguard | Small, cheap and easy to forget. |
| Finger tape | Hard to find in some places and useful after a few days of gripping. |
| Washing bag | A mesh or waterproof bag keeps a wet gi away from everything else in your luggage. |
| Proof of rank | Not usually needed, but a photo of a certificate or your home gym’s profile can help if asked. |
Our gym traveller’s packing list covers the rest of your training kit.
Etiquette: how to be a great visitor
Wear your real belt
Never wear a lower belt to “keep it low-key”, and never wear a higher one. Coaches use your belt to choose partners and keep everyone safe. Sandbagging as a white belt is one of the quickest ways to annoy a room.
Introduce yourself and follow the room
Find the coach before class, introduce yourself and say what you have trained. Then watch what everyone else does. Many gyms bow on and off the mat, line up by belt at the start or end of class, or shake hands with everyone at the end. Copy the room, not your home gym.
Learn their way, for now
Drill the technique the coach shows, even if you do it differently at home. Do not teach other students unless they ask, and do not correct the coach. You are there to learn, and seeing a different approach is half the value of training abroad.
Rolling etiquette
- Ask, do not assume. A simple “want to roll?” is the norm. Accept a no gracefully. It is also fine for you to say no.
- Match your partner’s pace. The first roll with a stranger is not a competition final. Start at a moderate pace and let intensity build if both of you want it.
- Tap early and often. An injury abroad can end your trip. There is no prize for surviving a submission in someone else’s gym.
- Check the rules on leg locks and slams. Many gyms restrict heel hooks and some other leg locks for lower belts, and slams are widely banned. If in doubt, ask the coach before you roll.
- Respect higher belts. Ask them for a round rather than waiting to be chosen, and do not try to prove yourself against the gym’s black belt.
- Watch the space. On a crowded mat, keep an eye on the pairs around you and stop or move before you collide.
The golden rule: roll so that your partner wants to roll with you again tomorrow. Visitors who are controlled, friendly and safe get invited back. Visitors who treat every round as a fight do not.
Hygiene: non-negotiable
Grappling means close contact, so hygiene is a matter of respect and safety. Skin infections such as ringworm and staph spread easily on mats.
- Wear a freshly washed gi or no-gi kit every session. Never put yesterday’s gi back on.
- Trim your fingernails and toenails before you travel.
- Wear flip-flops off the mat and never walk on the mat in shoes.
- Shower straight after training.
- If you have any rash, cut or suspicious patch of skin, do not train until it is checked and covered or cleared.
Washing a gi on the road takes planning. Book accommodation with a washing machine, find a local laundry, or pack two gis so one can dry while you wear the other.
Filming, photos and social media
Ask before filming anyone, including during open mats. Some gyms do not allow filming at all, and some people do not want their rolls online. If the gym is happy for you to post, tag them. It is a small thank you that many academies appreciate.
Training as a woman abroad
Many academies now have women’s-only classes or open mats, which are a great way into a new gym. In GymMaps, after setting the gym type to martial arts, a Classes section appears with a Women’s-only classes toggle. It is also worth asking the gym directly whether other women train regularly at the times you want to go.
Injuries and insurance
Read your travel insurance before you go. Some policies exclude combat sports or martial arts, or only cover them as an add-on. If you get hurt, stop rolling, tell the coach and get it looked at. Our guide to nerves about training abroad has more on settling in to an unfamiliar gym.
Leave a good impression
At the end, thank the coach and the people you rolled with. If you enjoyed it, buy a T-shirt or patch: many gyms rely on visitors, and a shirt from an academy abroad is one of the best souvenirs in jiu-jitsu. Then leave a review on GymMaps so the next traveller knows what to expect, including the mat fee, the timetable and how welcoming the room was.
Planning a whole trip around jiu-jitsu?
If you want more than a couple of drop-ins, look at a dedicated training destination. Our guide to training resorts for serious athletes covers Zamaya in Tulum, the base of B-Team Jiu-Jitsu. If you also strike, see how to choose a Muay Thai camp in Thailand.
The short version: find a gym that takes visitors, message ahead, ask about the mat fee, bring a clean gi and your real belt, follow the room, roll at your partner’s pace, tap early and say thank you. Do that and you will be welcome on mats all over the world.
Frequently asked questions
Can a white belt drop in at a BJJ gym abroad?
Yes. Most academies are happy to have visiting white belts, especially in fundamentals or beginner classes. Message ahead, say honestly how long you have trained, and pick a class over an open mat if you are still new. Open mats can be harder rolls with less supervision.
How much is a BJJ mat fee?
It varies a lot by country, city and gym, from free to roughly the price of a gym day pass or more. Some gyms sell weekly or multi-class passes that work out much cheaper for longer stays, and some waive the fee if you buy a T-shirt or rash guard. Always ask before you go so there are no surprises.
Do I need to bring my own gi?
Yes, if you can. Most gyms do not lend gis, and those that sell them may not have your size. Pack at least one clean gi, plus no-gi kit in case the session you want is no-gi.
Can I wear my academy’s gi or patches at another gym?
Usually yes, but a few academies, particularly some affiliated to large associations, prefer visitors not to wear another team’s branding. If you are unsure, wear a plain gi or ask when you message ahead.
Do I need to book a BJJ drop-in?
It is always best to message first. Even when a gym does not require booking, it lets the coach know you are coming, confirms the timetable has not changed and tells you about the fee and any waiver in advance.
What should I do if I get injured training abroad?
Stop rolling, tell the coach and get it checked if it is more than a minor knock. Before you travel, read your travel insurance carefully: some policies exclude combat sports or martial arts, or only cover them as an add-on.
How do I find BJJ gyms that accept drop-ins?
In GymMaps, open Filters, set the gym type to martial arts, open Disciplines and choose BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) or No-Gi Grappling, then tick Drop-ins welcome under Travel essentials. The map then shows only gyms that match.
Find a BJJ gym wherever you travel
GymMaps shows jiu-jitsu, no-gi and other martial arts gyms worldwide. Filter by discipline and drop-ins, see real photos of the mats and read reviews from other travellers.
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