THE ARENA

Why it made the list

The Arena is a San Diego institution with roots that run deep: the school spent decades on 30th Street before moving in 2006 to a much larger facility on Sports Arena Boulevard and taking the name The Arena. Today it’s the largest combat-sports gym in the city, a 27,000-square-foot facility in the Midway District where jiu-jitsu and judo share space with wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, Filipino martial arts and MMA.

Its identity is built around producing fighters, and over the years its fight team has included world-class names such as jiu-jitsu world champion Xande Ribeiro and MMA veteran Diego Sanchez. But the gym is just as useful for people who will never compete: its jiu-jitsu classes run in both gi and no-gi for all levels, and a large membership — many from San Diego’s military community — keeps the room lively. It has hosted open mats that welcome drop-ins.

Best for

Grapplers who want to cross-train striking, aspiring competitors, and military members looking for a serious, affordable fight gym.

Good to know

If jiu-jitsu is your only focus, a dedicated academy may suit you better; The Arena shines for anyone who wants the full combat-sports menu. It’s next to the Pechanga Arena area, at the base of the Point Loma peninsula.