Get ready for an action-packed live judo event with ARES JUDO - it's going to be epic! @aresjudo

ARES CHAMPIONSHIP 2026

Get ready. The road to the Ares Premiership starts here. 🔥

ARES JUDO CHAMPIONSHIP 2026

Saturday 10th October | Doors Open: 11:15am | First Contest: 12:00pm | Final Block: 7:00–9:30pm*

Medal Ceremony & After-Party from 9:30pm

Eight teams. One Championship title. One chance to earn promotion to the Ares Premiership.

The Championship is where the next generation of Ares contenders battle it out — and this year, there are stories everywhere you look.

🥋 The Budokwai & Judo Club Esprit - Relegated from the Premiership last year, both will be desperate to bounce straight back to the top flight. But can they handle the pressure of being the teams everyone wants to beat?

🥉 Team Bath - Bronze medallists last year. Now they want to go one better. Can Bath turn last year’s podium finish into Championship gold?

⚡ Core Judo - Plate winners in 2024, but unable to make the Final Block last year. 2026 gives them another shot. Is this finally Core’s year?

🆕 Rush Judo & Bishops Stortford - Two completely new teams entering the Ares divisions. They may be new to Ares - but they’re here to cause problems. Expect the unexpected.

👀 Irish Pathway & Westcroft - The ones capable of turning the whole Championship on its head. Can they produce what’s needed to make the Ares Championship final?

THE PRIZE?

🏆 Ares Championship Trophy

💰 Prize Money

⬆️ Promotion to the Ares Premiership

But promotion isn’t given. It’s earned.

Expect high-level judo, huge throws, dramatic comebacks and eight teams fighting their hearts out.

MORE THAN JUST A TOURNAMENT

The Ares experience returns in full:

🎧 Live DJ & compere

🍻 Fully licensed bar

💡 Dynamic lighting & production

🥋 Top-level judoka from across the UK & Ireland

🔥 A full day of action building towards an explosive Final Block

Preliminary Rounds | 12:00–6:00pm

The battle begins.

Interval | 6:00–7:00pm

Grab a drink, get some food and recharge.

Final Block | 7:00–9:30pm

Eight teams become four. Four become two. And one team earns the right to call themselves Ares Championship winners.

Medal Ceremony & After-Party | From 9:30pm

Celebrate with the athletes, teams and fans.

THE ROAD TO THE PREMIERSHIP STARTS HERE.

Who will bounce back?

Who will finally break through?

Who will shock the Championship?

And who will earn their place in the Premiership?

Saturday 10th October.

This isn’t just a fight for a trophy.

It’s a fight for promotion.

🎟️ Tickets are limited and expected to sell fast.

Be there. Feel the atmosphere. Witness the next Ares Premiership teams being made.

ARES JUDO 2026

@aresjudo

Description supplied by the event organiser.