Organization
Renzo Gracie
Overview
Renzo Gracie Academy is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy brand and team identity founded by Renzo Gracie. Originating in New York City, the academy became one of the most influential hubs in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, known for its openness to cross-training, strong no-gi emphasis, and deep integration with MMA and submission grappling.
Affiliation
Core Identity
Organization name Renzo Gracie Academy
Common name Renzo Gracie
Organization type Academy brand and affiliation network (flagship-led)
Founded Mid-1990s (NYC academy)
Founder
- Renzo Gracie
Headquarters (historical) New York City, New York, USA
Headquarters (current) Distributed (flagship academy + international affiliates)
Operational status Active
Primary discipline Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Gi and No-Gi); Submission Grappling; MMA
Affiliation Model
Affiliation structure Flagship-led academy brand with a global network of affiliated gyms operating under the Renzo Gracie name, often tied through instructor lineage rather than centralized governance.
Gym independence Affiliated academies operate independently with significant autonomy in curriculum, branding emphasis, and operations.
Branding / naming conventions Affiliates typically use Renzo Gracie in the gym name (e.g., Renzo Gracie Austin, Renzo Gracie Berlin).
Instruction / curriculum No single standardized curriculum; instruction reflects the Renzo Gracie lineage with emphasis on no-gi grappling, live training, competition realism, and openness to wrestling and MMA techniques.
Typical affiliation signals Use of Renzo Gracie name in gym branding, lineage connection to Renzo Gracie or senior instructors, and team designation in competition registration.
Affiliated Gyms
Competitive Presence
Primary competitive ecosystem Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition circuits with strong representation in submission grappling and MMA.
Ruleset fit Aligned with standard Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu rulesets; not a governing body.
Athlete representation Competitors register under Renzo Gracie Academy or affiliated academy names.
Footprint
Global footprint International presence across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific with the NYC flagship as the cultural anchor.
Discover affiliated gyms Affiliation appears at the gym level within city and gym profiles when available.
Relationships
Related organization types
- Competition organizations
- Gyms (affiliates)
- Coaches (team-linked instructors)