10 Event Ideas to Retain Members and Build Community at Your BJJ Gym

One of the most important yet overlooked aspects of running a successful BJJ gym is member retention.

While attracting new students is essential, keeping your current members engaged, motivated, and committed is what leads to long-term success.

A strong community is the backbone of any great academy, and the best way to build that community is through events that keep members involved, excited, and connected.

Here are 10 event ideas to help retain members, strengthen connections between members, and create a culture that keeps students coming back week after week.

1. Anniversary Party

I've helped opened a handful of gyms and we always celebrate the anniversary each year with a big party.

Sometimes we coordinate belt promotions with these parties, as well as weekend seminars.

Students work hard for months (or years) to level up, so why not make it an event?

• Host a formal belt ceremony and seminar with high level name to recognize student progress and celebrate another year of your gym.

• Follow it up with a gym-wide potluck or BBQ where members can relax, connect, and celebrate together.

• Encourage members to bring family and friends to create an even stronger sense of community.

This event not only rewards hard work but also strengthens relationships within the gym.

2. In-House Tournament 

Competition is a great way to test skills, build confidence, and stay motivated—but not everyone is ready for an IBJJF-level event.

An in-house tournament provides a low-pressure way for students to compete in a familiar environment.

• Use a round-robin format to ensure everyone gets multiple matches.

• Offer gi and no-gi divisions so members can choose their preferred style.

• Give out fun prizes or medals to make it feel official.

A structured, friendly tournament can ignite motivation, help students overcome competition anxiety, and keep them excited about training. This works especially well for kids.

3. Themed Open Mat Nights 

Sometimes, all it takes to keep training fresh is switching things up.

Try hosting specialized open mats with different themes, such as:

Leg Lock Night – Only lower-body submissions allowed.

Old School vs. New School – Classic BJJ techniques vs. modern guards.

King of the Mat – Winner stays in for a fun challenge.

Wrestling / Judo Nights - Emphasize takedowns with minimal ground work.

A little creativity can keep members engaged and excited to show up to class.

4. Women’s-Only Open Mat & Social 

A women’s-only training session provides a welcoming space for female students to train, share knowledge, and connect with others on the same journey.

• Follow the training session with a social event—like a group dinner or casual coffee meetup.

• Encourage members to invite female friends who might be interested in trying BJJ.

Building a strong female community within your gym helps increase retention and makes your academy more inclusive.

5. Escape & Evasion Self-Defense Seminar 

Not all students train BJJ for sport—many are there for self-defense.

A real-world escape & evasion seminar can add variety to training while reinforcing practical skills.

• Teach strategies for escaping bad situations (standing & on the ground).

• Incorporate scenario-based drills to make it feel more real.

• Open the event to family and friends, making it an opportunity for lead generation.

Giving students a clear reason to apply their training in real life keeps them committed to the journey.

6. BJJ Movie Night 

Sometimes, members just need an opportunity to hang out outside of training.

Host a BJJ movie night at the gym! Pick a classic:

🎥 Choke

🎥 Jiu-Jitsu vs. The World

🎥 Red Belt

🎥 Warrior

or literally any other classic movie!

Bring snacks, drinks, and mats for lounging, and let members enjoy some downtime together - or tell them to bring their own.

Building a social culture keeps members engaged beyond just the training aspect of the gym.

7. Parents’ Night Out (Kids BJJ Special Event) 

For gyms with a kids program, this event is a game-changer.

• Host a 3-hour kids-only event with games, pizza, and a fun training session.

• Parents drop off their kids and enjoy a stress-free night out while you keep them entertained.

• Offer this as a monthly or quarterly event to encourage long-term participation.

This helps retain kids in the program while strengthening relationships with parents, who will appreciate the extra value your gym provides.

8. Business Networking Event

I recently went to a free business networking open mat hosted in New York City and it was one of the best events I've been to in my 15 years of training BJJ.

The concept was simple - roll for an hour, network for an hour.

There were 60 people on the mat from all over the area connecting through jiu-jitsu.

This could be used to provide value by bringing your business-minded students together, especially those who train on different schedules, like morning or evening class.

You could also open it up to neighboring schools to get more people on the mat, and collect some new leads.

9. Holiday-Themed Classes & Parties 

Turn major holidays into special training days:

Halloween: Spooky Open Mat (costume-friendly training)

Christmas: Holiday-themed sparring rounds & secret gift exchange

New Year: “Roll Into the New Year” midnight training session

Valentine’s Day: BJJ for Couples – Bring Your Partner Class

July 4th: Freedom Rolls - Set the timer for rounds, BBQ, and celebrate the USA

Members love a fun, festive environment, and it’s an easy way to keep attendance high during holiday seasons.

10. Annual BJJ Retreat or Training Camp 

Want to create an unforgettable experience? Host an off-site BJJ retreat or training camp for dedicated members or join one with your school that's already set up.

I've helped market a handful of these events including BJJ In Paradise, AVIV Experience, and the Gracie Adventure and they're amazing for forging lifelong relationships.

Options include:

A weekend training camp at the gym with guest instructors.

A mountain or beach retreat combining training with outdoor activities.

A destination seminar or competition where students travel together for training/competing.

Events like these strengthen team bonds, create lifelong memories, and keep members excited about their training journey.

Final Thoughts

Retaining students isn’t just about teaching great classes—it’s about creating an experience they don’t want to leave.

Hosting regular events keeps members engaged, strengthens your gym’s community, and reduces churn.

Pick a few of these ideas and rotate between them and lead-generating events for new members. (Next week I'll give ideas for lead events.) Then, promote them well.

Shoot for a member event once every 8 weeks and your students will stick around for the long haul.

If you want help setting up lead-generating events for your gym, book a call —I’d love to help.