15 - 16.8.2026 - HYPE Arena
Finland's biggest grappling weekend
GCS 3 takes place on August 15–16, 2026 at Hybridiarena HYPE in Espoo, Finland. A two-day event combining a top-level grappling tournament, superfight evening show, kids' competition, and seminars all in one weekend. The event brings together competitors, hobbyists, coaches, and spectators from across Finland — from juniors to elite-level athletes.
Premium
85 €
- Day tournament and Superfights
- Reserved seating area
- Dedicated entrance
- Drink ticket
Watch the Livestream
Compete
Register as a competitor for the GCS 3 tournament. Elite, intermediate, and beginner divisions available for all levels.
- • Free entry to the superfight evening show
- • Free entry to the seminar of your choice
Spectate
Get your tickets and come experience Finland's biggest grappling weekend live. Tournament, superfights, and the atmosphere await.
- • Free entry to the seminar of your choice
Seminars
Seminar participation requires a GCS 3 spectator ticket or competitor registration. Spots are reserved separately and capacity is limited.
Shane Curtis
Thursday Aug 13, 17:30–19:30 · AOGG Kivenlahti
Shane teaches his creative passing system, combining inside and outside passes into a continuous offensive chain.
Tom Mäenurm
Friday Aug 14, 17:30–19:30 · AOGG Kivenlahti
Tom teaches active guard play, breaking the opponent's balance, and transitioning to effective submission attempts.
Karl Pegers
Friday Aug 14, 17:30–19:30 · TK Sports, Halmetie 5, Helsinki
Karl teaches practical techniques, efficient movement, and competition-proven concepts. Detailed topic to be announced.
Santeri Lilius
Sunday Aug 16, 10:00–12:00 · AOGG Kivenlahti
Santeri teaches the outside heel hook system — from entries and leg control to securing the finish.
Superfights
Santeri Lilius
Shane Curtis
Main Card · 15 min
Tom Mäenurm
Karl Pegers
Main Card · 15 min
Heidi Saren
Sandra Triebel
Main Card · 15 min
Eemeli Virtanen
Hugo Vaarend
Main Card · 15 min
Afif Khan
Adrian Banar
Main Card · 15 min
Mari Itkonen
Sanni Käkilehto
Main Card · 15 min
Thiago Mikel
Topias Warnicki
Prelim Card · 10 min
Abubakar Abdulhalakov
Santtu Viirret
Prelim Card · 10 min
Jesse Keihäs
Abdel-Rahman Ali
Prelim Card · 10 min
Dianne Stolk
Rosetta Piiroinen
Prelim Card · 10 min
Joel Korhonen
Rike Kallioniemi
Prelim Card · 10 min
William Procopé
Yassir El Issaoui
Prelim Card · 10 min
Ville Saukoniemi
Loai Elshamaly
Prelim Card · 10 min
Eeden Iivanainen
Venla Kainu
Prelim Card · 10 min
German Gildemann
Otto Saari
Prelim Card · 10 min
Yusuf Atilmis
Thiago Fernandes
Prelim Card · 10 min
Santeri Lilius
Shane Curtis
Main Card · 15 min
Tom Mäenurm
Karl Pegers
Main Card · 15 min
Heidi Saren
Sandra Triebel
Main Card · 15 min
Eemeli Virtanen
Hugo Vaarend
Main Card · 15 min
Afif Khan
Adrian Banar
Main Card · 15 min
Mari Itkonen
Sanni Käkilehto
Main Card · 15 min
Thiago Mikel
Topias Warnicki
Prelim Card · 10 min
Abubakar Abdulhalakov
Santtu Viirret
Prelim Card · 10 min
Jesse Keihäs
Abdel-Rahman Ali
Prelim Card · 10 min
Dianne Stolk
Rosetta Piiroinen
Prelim Card · 10 min
Joel Korhonen
Rike Kallioniemi
Prelim Card · 10 min
William Procopé
Yassir El Issaoui
Prelim Card · 10 min
Ville Saukoniemi
Loai Elshamaly
Prelim Card · 10 min
Eeden Iivanainen
Venla Kainu
Prelim Card · 10 min
German Gildemann
Otto Saari
Prelim Card · 10 min
Yusuf Atilmis
Thiago Fernandes
Prelim Card · 10 min
Santeri Lilius
Shane Curtis
Main Card · 15 min
Tom Mäenurm
Karl Pegers
Main Card · 15 min
Heidi Saren
Sandra Triebel
Main Card · 15 min
Eemeli Virtanen
Hugo Vaarend
Main Card · 15 min
Afif Khan
Adrian Banar
Main Card · 15 min
Mari Itkonen
Sanni Käkilehto
Main Card · 15 min
Thiago Mikel
Topias Warnicki
Prelim Card · 10 min
Abubakar Abdulhalakov
Santtu Viirret
Prelim Card · 10 min
Jesse Keihäs
Abdel-Rahman Ali
Prelim Card · 10 min
Dianne Stolk
Rosetta Piiroinen
Prelim Card · 10 min
Joel Korhonen
Rike Kallioniemi
Prelim Card · 10 min
William Procopé
Yassir El Issaoui
Prelim Card · 10 min
Ville Saukoniemi
Loai Elshamaly
Prelim Card · 10 min
Eeden Iivanainen
Venla Kainu
Prelim Card · 10 min
German Gildemann
Otto Saari
Prelim Card · 10 min
Yusuf Atilmis
Thiago Fernandes
Prelim Card · 10 min
Fight card and schedule are subject to change.
Superfight Fighters
SanteriLilius
ShaneCurtis
TomMäenurm
KarlPegers
AfifKhan
HeidiSaren
ThiagoMikel
SandraTriebel
Countdown to the Event
15.-16.8.2026 - HYPE Arena
15.-16.8.2026 – HYPE ARENA
Schedule
Saturday Aug 15
GCS 3 Tournament + Superfight Event
Saturday is the GCS 3 main event. The day features a grappling tournament, and in the evening the arena transforms into a superfight event with high-level matches, impressive production, and a new standard for Finnish grappling competitions.
- • GCS 3 tournament
- • Elite, intermediate, and beginner divisions
- • Superfight evening show
- • VIP areas
- • Public areas
Sunday Aug 16
Kids' Tournament + Seminar
On Sunday, the event continues with kids' competitions and seminars. The day is aimed at juniors, hobbyists, competitors, and anyone who wants to learn from the weekend's top names.
- • Kids' tournament
- • Top-level coaching
- • Community closing day
Info
Date
August 15–16, 2026
Venue
Hybridiarena HYPE, Vanha Jorvaksentie 3, 02320 Espoo
Saturday
GCS 3 tournament + Superfight evening show
Sunday
Kids' tournament + Santeri Lilius seminar
Spectator tickets are purchased through Ticketmaster. GCS 3 competitors and coaches do not need a separate spectator ticket.
Saturday Aug 15
Basic Ticket €35 · Superfight Only €25 · Premium €85
Sunday Aug 16
Junior ticket €20
Competitor registration takes place through Smoothcomp.
GCS 3 offers the opportunity to compete on a big stage, in high-level divisions, as part of an event built to raise the standard of Finnish grappling.
- • Registration closes Thursday August 13, 2026 at 23:59. No on-site registration.
- • Adult weigh-ins on Saturday 9:00–11:00
- • Junior weigh-ins on Sunday 9:00–11:00
- • Competition starts at 11:00 on both days
- • Tournament uses IBJJF No-Gi rules
- • Pro divisions use brown/black belt rules
GCS 3 takes place at Hybridiarena HYPE in Espoo, Finland.
The modern arena offers large facilities, grandstands, event production, LED screens, and spaces that enable a spectacular grappling experience for both competitors and spectators.
Address: Hybridiarena HYPE, Vanha Jorvaksentie 3, 02320 Espoo
GCS 3 is built on one idea: Finnish grappling deserves a bigger stage. The goal is to combine:
- • High-level competition
- • Impressive production
- • Athletes, audience, and community
- • A more international event standard
GCS 3 is not just a tournament. It's a step toward a new event culture.
FAQ
August 15–16, 2026 at Hybridiarena HYPE, Vanha Jorvaksentie 3, 02320 Espoo.
Weigh-ins take place on both competition days at 9:00–11:00. (Saturday for adult competitions, Sunday for kids' competitions)
Competitions start at 11:00 on both days. The Saturday Superfight evening show starts at 17:30.
No. The registration deadline is Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
Registration takes place on SmoothComp: smoothcomp.com/en/event/30590
The warm-up area is located on the 1st floor in the AOGG Kivenlahti facilities.
The tournament uses IBJJF No-Gi rules. Elite divisions use brown/black belt rules.
- • Beginner
- • Advanced
- • Pro
- • Masters
- • Kids' divisions
Yes. Coach passes for each team are distributed at the entrance.
The competition fee includes:
- • The tournament itself
- • The Superfight evening show
- • Seminars (if you've paid for a competition or spectator ticket, you can register for a seminar free of charge via the links)
The up-to-date match schedule is available at gcs.fi.
Yes, and we'd love it. You can take photos and videos. Remember to tag @gcsseries.
Hybridiarena HYPE has plenty of parking space. The parking garage has approximately 680 spots.
Yes. The arena has restaurants and a rooftop terrace where you can buy food and drinks.
GCS is an international grappling event that combines a tournament, Superfight evening show, seminars, and a full weekend of combat sports entertainment.
August 15–16, 2026.
Hybridiarena HYPE, Vanha Jorvaksentie 3, 02320 Espoo.
With your ticket you get access to:
- • The tournament (premium ticket)
- • The Superfight evening show
- • Seminar participation (if you've paid for a competition or spectator ticket, you can register for a seminar free of charge via the links)
Saturday at 17:30.
Tickets are available at gcs.fi.
Yes. Hybridiarena HYPE has restaurants and a rooftop terrace.
The arena has a parking garage with approximately 680 spots.
Yes, and we'd love it. You can take and share photos — remember to tag @gcsseries.
Yes. A separate Superfight Only ticket is available.
All the latest information is available at gcs.fi and on Instagram @gcsseries.
GCS Superfights are contested under Submission Only rules. No points or advantages are used. The goal is to win by submission. If the match ends without a submission, the winner is decided by round victories determined by the judges.
A Superfight lasts 10–15 minutes. The match is fought as one continuous bout, but scoring is divided into three rounds.
No. Superfights do not use:
- • Points
- • Advantages
- • Penalty points
A fighter can win in two ways:
- • By submission
- • By round victories (three rounds).
Judges determine the round winners. If the score is tied after two rounds (1-1), the third and final round decides the match.
Judges evaluate the entire match based on the following criteria:
- • Dangerous and genuine submission attempts
- • Advancement
- • Aggressiveness
- • Match activity
Not necessarily. Control alone without attacks is generally not enough to win a judges' decision. Active offense and dangerous submission attempts carry more weight than passive control. If very little happens in a match, the top fighter is considered dominant.
Judges consider positions such as:
- • Takedowns
- • Guard passes
- • Mount
- • Back control
- • Sweeps
Yes. Superfights use modern no-gi rules, so heel hooks and other leg locks are permitted.
The Submission Only format encourages active offensive grappling and pursuing finishes throughout the match. The goal is to provide athletes and spectators with the most entertaining and high-level match experience possible.
The tournament uses IBJJF No-Gi rules and competitors advance through a bracket. A Superfight is a pre-arranged individual match between two named fighters, contested under Submission Only rules.
In cooperation with
