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Your first BJJ class is free. Beginners welcome. No experience needed.2643 W Chicago Ave, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60622 · (866) 977-7021

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the Near West Side

Get In The Game

You cheer at the United Center. Now try a sport yourself. Brazil 021 Chicago offers Brazilian jiu-jitsu near the Near West Side with beginner classes and a free first class.

Brazil 021 Chicago BJJ competition team with medals

BJJ Near the Near West Side and the United Center

The Near West Side is home to the United Center and a lot of people who love sports. Jiu-jitsu lets you play one. Every round is a live game of position and timing, and you can start at any age and any fitness level. Brazil 021 is a Chicago jiu-jitsu academy with morning, evening and Saturday classes.

Brazil 021 Chicago is a Brazil 021 academy with an international team of schools in Brazil, the US and Canada. The name comes from 021, the phone code for Rio de Janeiro.

You do not need to be an athlete to start. Beginner classes break every move down step by step, and coaches pair you with partners who help you learn instead of trying to win.

Beginners drilling the fundamentals at Brazil 021 Chicago, near Near West Side
Students drilling fundamentals

Getting to Our BJJ Gym From the Near West Side

Head over to Western Ave and catch the #49 Western Ave bus north to Chicago Ave. The academy is at 2643 W Chicago Ave, 2nd Floor, just west of Western. You can also connect to the #66 Chicago Ave bus, which runs east and west along Chicago Ave.

Driving? Street parking is available on Chicago Ave and the side streets.

BJJ Near West Side Chicago Classes for Adults and Kids

Adults start in Fundamentals and build from there. Kids train in age groups that teach discipline and confidence through structured, playful classes. We also run a Law Enforcement / First Responders class on Saturday afternoons.

Kids classes are where discipline and confidence get built. Children learn to follow instructions, respect their partners and keep going when something feels hard, all in a structured, playful setting.

  • Adults Beginners (Gi): Mon & Wed 6:30 PM, Tue & Thu 6:30 AM
  • Adults Beginners (No-Gi): Fri 6:30 PM
  • Kids Class 1 (3–6) and Kids Class 2 (7–12): Tue, Thu and Sat
  • Law Enforcement / First Responders: Sat 1:00 PM
Brazilian jiu-jitsu near Near West Side: a kids belt promotionChicago BJJ near Near West Side: the Brazil 021 Chicago team

Coached by People Who Know the Rules

Andre “Negão” Terencio is a 6th-degree black belt who served 15 years as an IBJJF head referee and has organized PRIDE Brazil 021 since 2019. That background shows in how he teaches: clear rules, safe training and respect for your partner.

Book a free first class and see if jiu-jitsu becomes your new favorite sport.

Near West Side Landmarks & Nearby Neighborhoods

Your local
BJJ gym.

Brazil 021 Chicago welcomes Near West Side residents looking for Brazilian jiu-jitsu near the Near West Side. Whether you live by the United Center, around Union Park, or work in Fulton Market, the #49 Western Ave bus runs north on Western to Chicago Ave, where the academy sits at 2643 W Chicago Ave, 2nd Floor. The #66 Chicago Ave bus and the Blue Line's Chicago stop are other options. Our BJJ classes for the Near West Side run early morning, midday and evening, with kids classes after school. Your first class is free.

Around Near West Side

  • United CenterNear West Side residents around the United Center can take the #49 Western Ave bus north to Chicago Ave for class.
  • Union ParkA neighborhood park for families who also bring their kids to our Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday classes.
  • Fulton MarketFulton Market workers often use our early morning or lunchtime classes to train around the workday.

Inside the Academy

See the mats.

Real classes and real students at Brazil 021 Chicago on West Chicago Avenue.

Professor Andre Terencio teaching a kids BJJ class in Chicago
No-gi BJJ class lined up at the Chicago academy
Professor Hannette Staack coaching students
Kids BJJ class lined up at Brazil 021 Chicago
Students and instructors at the Brazil 021 Chicago academy
Adult BJJ class training at Brazil 021 Chicago

BJJ Near Near West Side FAQs

Common questions.

Book a Free Trial

I live a few blocks from the United Center. Which bus takes me to Brazilian jiu-jitsu class?

Ride the #49 Western Ave bus north to Chicago Ave. The academy is at 2643 W Chicago Ave, 2nd Floor, just west of Western Ave.

Do you have early classes for Fulton Market workers who want BJJ before the office?

Yes. Adults Beginners (Gi) is Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 AM. Advanced students also have 6:30 AM classes Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Can Near West Side kids try jiu-jitsu classes for free?

Yes, the first class is free for kids and adults. Kids classes run Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

Is Brazil 021 a good martial arts fit for Near West Side adults who have never trained?

Yes. Beginners start in fundamentals classes that teach the basics safely, and the coaching is patient with new students.

After a walk through Union Park, can I make an evening no-gi class?

Adults Beginners (No-Gi) runs Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, and Advanced No-Gi is Wednesday at 7:30 PM.

Does your grappling program offer private lessons for Near West Side residents?

Yes. Private lessons are one-on-one with a black belt and booked by appointment, so you can work on specific goals.

Are there self-defense classes for Near West Side women coming up?

Our Women’s BJJ & Self-Defense program is coming soon as a planned 6-week course on awareness, escaping common grabs and leverage-based technique. Join the interest list to hear first.

Which BJJ near the Near West Side option works for weekend-only schedules?

Saturday has Advanced No-Gi at 8:00 AM, kids classes from 10:00 to 11:30 AM and Law Enforcement / First Responders at 1:00 PM. We do not hold classes on Sunday.