The Ju-Jitsu International Federation -JJIF- and Lino Team Ju-Jitsu have agreed to continue organising the Genoa Open Grand Prix, with the 2027 edition scheduled for 20 and 21 February in Genoa, Italy. The tournament will remain under the patronage of the Federazione Italiana Judo Lotta Karate Arti Marziali -FIJLKAM- and will continue to be part of the international federation’s ranking calendar, following the growth recorded by the event in recent editions.
The continuity of the event confirms Genoa’s consolidation as a stable venue on the international ju-jitsu circuit and strengthens the cooperation between JJIF’s global structure, the local organiser and the Italian national federation. The agreement follows the evolution of the Genoa Open from an emerging international event into a JJIF Grand Prix, a category that increases the tournament’s competitive value and its ability to attract delegations, coaches and officials from different continents.
Genoa Open Grand Prix 2027: new venue and international calendar
The main new feature of the 2027 edition will be the move to the renovated Palasport Waterfront Sport Komplex, within the Waterfront di Levante, a venue integrated into the city’s urban regeneration process. The change of venue represents an organisational step forward for an event that aims to offer better conditions for athletes, teams and spectators, while also strengthening Genoa’s capacity to host international competitions in an updated sports setting.
The sports programme will once again bring together the main JJIF disciplines: Fighting System, Jiu-Jitsu -Ne-Waza-, Duo & Show Systems, Contact Ju-Jitsu, Para Ju-Jitsu and Inclusive Self Defense. This breadth allows the Genoa Open Grand Prix to operate not only as a combat competition, but as a full event within the international ju-jitsu programme, with room for technical disciplines, contact competition, adaptive sport and inclusion initiatives.
From emerging tournament to JJIF Grand Prix
The recent context helps explain the weight the event has gained. Genoa already had relevant history in European ju-jitsu, having hosted continental championships in 2001 and 2012, but the Genoa Open began its new international stage in 2024 as an event valid for world qualification. That first edition, held from 2 to 4 February at the RDS Stadium Genova, awarded points for the world ranking on the road to the World Games 2025 in Chengdu and also included Para Ju-Jitsu as part of its inclusive dimension.
The second edition, held from 31 January to 2 February 2025, confirmed the project’s growth with 600 registered athletes from 20 countries and four continents, and a 20% increase in attendance compared with 2024. The tournament was valid as a Regional Event for the JJIF world ranking and was staged under the aegis of the international federation and the Ju-Jitsu European Union -JJEU-, with institutional support from the Comune di Genova, the Regione Liguria and the Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano -CONI- in Liguria.
Genoa strengthens its role in international ju-jitsu
The competitive step forward came in 2026, when the Genoa Open was promoted to Grand Prix status, with a higher allocation of points for participants thanks to JJIF’s support. The edition was held on 7 and 8 February at the Palasport di Genova and brought together more than 300 athletes from 25 countries, with more than 600 accredited people including coaches, competition officials and organising staff, as well as representation from four continents.
Italy also reinforced the sporting value of the event with a clear dominance of the medal table in the 2026 edition, winning 52 medals: 18 gold, 15 silver and 19 bronze, ahead of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. The result confirmed the strong position of the national movement and gave prominence to Italian and Ligurian athletes in an event supported by the organisational work of Lino Team, with the 2027 edition set for 20 and 21 February.
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