Düsseldorf · Derendorf

Improving Lives,
One Roll At A Time.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in Düsseldorf-Derendorf. Built on black-belt mastery, a structured curriculum, and a community where everyone belongs, from your first day to the healthiest, most confident version of yourself.

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Improving Lives, One Roll At A Time Alliance Black Belt Lineage Gi & No-Gi Kids · Women · Adults · Private Structured Curriculum · Clear Progress Path Improving Lives, One Roll At A Time Alliance Black Belt Lineage Gi & No-Gi Kids · Women · Adults · Private Structured Curriculum · Clear Progress Path
1st
Degree Black Belt
120
m² Mat Area
11
Classes Per Week
5
Languages Spoken
Questions, Honestly Answered

Nervous? Curious? Same.

Everything you wanted to ask before stepping on the mats, without the sugar-coating.

I've never done any martial art. Am I going to get smashed?
Short answer: no. Our Foundation classes are literally built for your first day. You'll drill, you'll sweat, and yes, you'll be lost for about 15 minutes. Then something clicks. Everyone in the room started exactly where you are, and the black belts remember it vividly.
I'm not in shape. Should I "get fit" first?
That's like saying you'll learn to swim once you stop drowning. BJJ is the conditioning. Come as you are, within 8 weeks you won't recognize your cardio, your sleep, or the shape of your back.
I'm scared of getting injured.
Fair. Here's our deal: we train hard, not reckless. Foundation classes emphasize control over intensity, tapping early is a skill we actively teach, and ego gets left at the door. Most injuries in BJJ come from stubbornness, we coach it out of you.
I'm a woman and the idea of rolling with strangers feels… a lot.
Heard, and respected. We run women-only classes led by a female coach, on Thursday evenings. You can start there exclusively, or mix with mixed-level classes when you're ready. No pressure, no rush, no "you should be doing more." Your pace.
Programs

Your Path On
The Mat

Six programs engineered for every stage of the journey, from your first day on the mat to your first competition podium.

◆
Core · Live

Foundation Gi

Gi fundamentals, grips, guards, escapes, submissions. Build a rock-solid technical base in the traditional kimono.

Level All Format Gi Sessions 3 / week
Learn more →
◇
Core · Live

Foundation No-Gi

No-gi BJJ, body control, leg locks, wrestling-friendly transitions. Fast, dynamic, shorts-and-rashguard training.

Level All Format No-Gi Sessions 2 / week
Learn more →
◈
Core · Live

Women's Only BJJ

The same BJJ, in a room with only women in it. Women-led coaching, all levels, beginners always welcome.

Level All Format Gi Sessions 1 / week
Learn more →
▲
Core · Soon

IG Evolution

Intermediate & advanced strategy. Complex pathways, competition prep, discipline refinement.

Level Blue+ Format Gi & No-Gi Sessions TBD
Coming soon
●
Private · Soon

IG Focus

One-on-one private coaching, tailored to your goals. Maximum progress in minimum time.

Level All Format 1-on-1 Sessions On request
Coming soon
★
Kids · Soon

Kids & Teens

Structured, engaging, safe. Holistic development through age-appropriate learning pathways.

Level Ages 5–15 Format Gi Sessions TBD
Join the waitlist →
Weekly Schedule

When We Roll

TimeMonTueWedThuFriSatSun
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Kids
Women's Only
Foundation
Evolution
Membership

Simple, Transparent
Pricing

Every membership includes unlimited access to all classes on your program. The 12-month membership is our standard rate; month-to-month costs more for the flexibility.

Adults
Membership
€85/mo
12-month membership · Save €420/year
  • Unlimited classes
  • Gi & No-Gi access
  • Structured curriculum & belt progression
  • Progress tracking
  • Workshop priority access
Book Free Trial Already train? Join now
Adults
No commitment
€120/mo
Same access, cancel any time
  • Unlimited classes
  • Gi & No-Gi access
  • Structured curriculum & belt progression
  • Progress tracking
Book Free Trial Already train? Join now
Kids · Teens · Students
Membership
€65/mo
12-month membership · Save €420/year
  • Unlimited classes
  • Gi & No-Gi access
  • Structured curriculum & belt progression
  • Progress tracking
  • Workshop priority access

Adult class access at student rate. Valid university ID required.

Book Free Trial Already train? Join now
Kids · Teens · Students
No commitment
€100/mo
Same access, cancel any time
  • Unlimited classes
  • Gi & No-Gi access
  • Structured curriculum & belt progression
  • Progress tracking

Adult class access at student rate. Valid university ID required.

Book Free Trial Already train? Join now
Why Imperial Ground

A Different Kind Of
BJJ Academy

We built Imperial Ground to close the quality gap in martial arts, combining black-belt instruction with the structure, transparency, and care you'd expect from a world-class business.

◆

Structured Curriculum

Monthly Foundation track for fundamentals; accelerated Evolution track for advanced strategy. A clear 10-year progression, not "what to teach today?"

◆

Authentic Lineage

Led by João Macedo, First-Degree Black Belt under the world-renowned Alliance system. Two decades of leadership excellence, on and off the mats.

◆

Everyone Welcome

Kids, teens, adults, women-only, beginners, competitors. A safe, supportive environment with zero toxicity and active injury prevention.

◆

Clear Progress Path

Every student knows where they stand, what's next, and how to get there. Belt criteria, stripe milestones, and skill checkpoints are written down and reviewed openly, no mystery, no favoritism.

◆

Rooted In Düsseldorf

In Derendorf, walking distance from U-Bahn Nordstraße. Designed for residential families and corporate professionals alike.

◆

Global Community

A home for Düsseldorf's international community. Taught in German, with English and Portuguese spoken on the mats. Local commitment, global vision.

The Space

A Space Built For
Progress

Good training needs a good room. Ours was planned around what actually helps students improve: a forgiving surface, clean air, and somewhere proper to shower before you head home.

◆

120 m² Of Dollamur Tatami

High-quality Dollamur tatami across the full floor. Forgiving underfoot, so your joints last as long as your enthusiasm does.

◆

Fully Air-Conditioned

Climate controlled year round, to guarantee comfort and a clear head from the first warmup to the last round of the night.

◆

New Showers And Changing Rooms

Brand new for the opening. Train on your way home from work and leave as fresh as you arrived.

Founders

The Minds Behind
Imperial Ground

Lifelong martial artists who built this academy to be the place they'd want their own families to train.

Founder JM
Founder · Head Coach

João Macedo

1st Degree Black Belt · Alliance
"A clear path, taught honestly, that's what every student deserves, from the first day to the black belt."

A deep, authentic understanding of BJJ's culture and technical nuances, forged in the world-renowned Alliance system, under Henry Naporra (Alliance Frankfurt). Having lived on three continents and learned four languages, João is uniquely equipped to build and connect with an international community on and off the mat.

14+
Years On The Mat
Alliance
Lineage
Co-Founder MM
Co-Founder · Instructor

Mirko Markovic

Purple Belt · Alliance
"Jiu-Jitsu rewards the humble. Technique, patience, and the willingness to be a beginner again every class."

Martial arts have been part of Mirko's life since age 12, starting in kickboxing, then training continuously across different disciplines before Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became his long-term home in 2018. Fully committed ever since. As a purple belt under João Macedo, he values the technical precision, problem-solving, and humility BJJ demands, and his work on the mats is focused on building a structured, safe training environment with a strong team culture, where people feel welcome, improve consistently, and keep coming back.

15+
Yrs Martial Arts
2018
Started BJJ
Alliance
Lineage
Our Coaches & Instructors

The People On
The Mat With You

Coaches and Instructors you'll see every week, each with their own style, story, and specialty.

Coach AK

Anke

Women's BJJ & Fundamentals

BJJ black belt leading our women-only classes, clean technique, patient progression, and a calm, supportive room where you can train at your own pace or push toward competition. Years in self-defense, de-escalation, and trauma-informed coaching back every session, so you train somewhere both safe and genuinely challenging.

  • Gi
  • Women's
  • Fundamentals
Instructor JK

Jörn

No-Gi

A grinder's game built on pressure and positional control. Jörn brings a sharp no-gi style, slick wrestling, heavy passing, and rolls that keep everyone honest.

  • No-Gi
  • Pressure Passing
  • Positional Control
Instructor PM

Phillip

Beginners' Foundation Gi

A technician's eye for detail and a soft spot for first-timers. Phillip breaks every move into clear, repeatable steps so day-one students leave the mat knowing exactly what they did and why.

  • Gi
  • Beginners
  • Fundamentals
Growing The Team

Kids' Trainer · Join The Team

We're looking for a patient, qualified coach to lead our upcoming kids & teens program. BJJ or related grappling background required.

Contact us →
Core Values

Black Belts In Life.

Our culture is built on a foundation of timeless principles, adapted from the ethos of martial arts to drive personal and community excellence.

Gi · 義

Integrity

Honesty and moral courage in every action.

Rei · 礼

Respect

Honor everyone. Foster support.

Yū · 勇

Courage

Resilience forged through adversity.

Jin · 仁

Compassion

We grow stronger helping each other.

Meiyo · 名誉

Honor

Represent with dignity and grace.

Makoto · 誠

Sincerity

Give your genuine best, always.

Chūgi · 忠義

Loyalty

Commit to the tribe. Strengthen bonds.

Nintai · 忍耐

Perseverance

Success is born from consistent effort.

Shitsuke · 躾

Discipline

Master yourself. Follow through.

Kaizen · 改善

Self-Improvement

Better every day. Lifelong learning.

First Class On Us

Ready To Step On The Mats?

Book your free trial, no commitment, no pressure. Just a gi, a willingness to learn, and one hour that might change your life.

Book Free Trial
Voices From The Mats

What Our Students Say

João is an excellent coach who creates a supportive, effective learning environment. He explains techniques clearly, encourages questions, and makes it easy for beginners to build a strong foundation in BJJ.

MR
Mel R.
White Belt · 9 months
Before Your First Class

The Practical Bits

Kit, cancellation, kids, and the rest of what you will want to know.

Gi or No-Gi? What's the difference and which do I pick?
Gi = the kimono, more chess-like, grips everywhere, slower pace. No-Gi = shorts and rashguard, faster, more scramble-heavy, closer to MMA. Our honest advice: start with Gi for the first 3–6 months. It forces better technique. Then do both.
What do I bring to my first class?
Shorts and a t-shirt, a water bottle, and a bit of courage. We'll lend you a gi for your trial class. Shower afterwards is on us. Nail-clippers live at the front desk, please use them (everyone's fingers will thank you).
My German isn't great. Is that a problem?
Classes are taught in German, but you do not need fluent German to start. The coaches speak English and Portuguese and will explain anything you miss, and jiu-jitsu is mostly shown rather than told. Düsseldorf is international; our mats are too.
How does the membership work? Can I cancel?
Monthly memberships are month-to-month, cancel any time before the next billing date, no questions, no paperwork guilt-trips. Yearly memberships are cheaper per month but locked for 12 months. Pick the one that matches your honesty with yourself.
How young can kids start? And is it safe?
Our kids program launches later this year, starting age is 5. We focus on movement, coordination, confidence, and anti-bullying skills before anything resembling competition. Parents are welcome to watch any class, any time.
Do I have to compete?
Absolutely not. Maybe 1 in 5 of our members ever steps on a competition mat, and that's fine. Train for fitness, for self-defense, for your head, for the community. If competing calls you later, we'll prepare you properly. If it never does, you'll still be a better version of yourself.

Still have a question the internet can't answer?

Book a free trial & ask in person
Find Us

Düsseldorf · Derendorf

Visit Imperial Ground

Address
Römerstraße 6
40476 Düsseldorf
U-Bahn
Nordstraße · Derendorf S-Bahn
Phone
+49 173 861 2373
Email
info@imperialground.com
Hours
Mon–Fri · 17:00–21:00
Weekends · By appointment
Languages
Deutsch (Unterricht) · English · Português
Coming from another district?

Düsseldorf-specific guides

Transit, parking, and what to expect on the trip in, written for each of the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Home district
Derendorf
5 min walk · Schloss Jägerhof
One stop north
Pempelfort
8 min · U71/U72
City centre
Altstadt
15 min · U78/U79
East side
Flingern
15-20 min · bike or U-Bahn
Free Trial Class

Start Your Journey Today.

Fill the form and we'll confirm your free trial within 24 hours. No pressure, no commitment, just one class to see if Imperial Ground is right for you.

We'll loan you a gi, pair you with a training partner your size, and walk you through the warmup. You'll leave with a technique you can actually use, and a clear sense of whether this is for you.

  • No gi required · We loan you one
  • No experience needed
  • Taught in German · Coaches also speak EN & PT
  • Free parking & U-Bahn Nordstraße

Book Your Free Trial