Bassmaster Classic 2027: Dates, Location, Tickets, Schedule, Anglers and Complete Event Guide

Lake Hartwell is about to host the biggest event in competitive bass fishing. In March 2027, 58 of the best anglers on Earth will chase a $300,000 prize and the most respected title in the sport. This guide gives you the dates, the venue, the schedule, the anglers, and every tip you need to plan your trip.

Please note one important date detail. Some websites list a January 19 to 21 window. However, B.A.S.S., the tournament organizer, confirms the event runs March 19 to 21, 2027. This guide uses the official dates, so you can book travel with confidence.

Bassmaster Classic 2027 Overview

The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour is the “Super Bowl of bass fishing.” Every year, the world’s top pros earn a seat through hard work across a long season. Then they fish three days for one title. The winner takes home a trophy, a large check, and lasting fame.

The 2027 edition holds special meaning for the host region. It will be the fifth Classic on Lake Hartwell. No other lake has hosted the event that often. Greenville, South Carolina, will serve as the host city, while Anderson County shares the spotlight on the water. VisitGreenvilleSC and Visit Anderson partner with B.A.S.S. to bring the week to life.

Here is a quick snapshot of the event.

Detail	Information
Event name	Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour
Dates	March 19 to 21, 2027
Competition lake	Lake Hartwell, South Carolina and Georgia
Host city	Greenville, South Carolina
Field size	58 anglers
Top prize	$300,000
Total purse	About $1 million
Expo venue	Greenville Convention Center
Weigh-in venue	Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Expected crowd	More than 150,000 fans over the week

Additionally, fans do not need to be anglers to enjoy it. The week includes a huge fishing expo, live weigh-ins, music, food, and family fun. Therefore, the Classic appeals to hardcore fans and curious first-timers alike.

Dates and Daily Schedule

Official Dates

The tournament runs Friday, March 19, through Sunday, March 21, 2027. Anglers fish all three days. Expo and fan events usually start before the fishing begins, so many visitors arrive earlier in the week.

What a Typical Competition Day Looks Like

B.A.S.S. had not published the full hour-by-hour plan at the time of writing. However, past Classics followed a steady pattern. You can expect something similar in 2027.

• Early morning: Anglers launch their boats at a public takeoff site near sunrise. Fans gather to watch and cheer.
• Midday: Anglers fish while live online coverage follows the leaders.
• Late afternoon: Anglers return, weigh their fish, and talk to the crowd.
• Evening: Fans visit the expo, restaurants, and downtown Greenville.

Sample Weekend Planner

This table shows how many fans plan the weekend. Always confirm exact times on the official site, because schedules change.

Day	Fishing	Fan Activities
Friday, March 19	Day one takeoff and weigh-in	Expo opens, vendor demos, evening downtown events
Saturday, March 20	Day two takeoff and weigh-in	Biggest expo crowds, kids’ activities, live music
Sunday, March 21	Final day, top anglers compete	Championship weigh-in and trophy ceremony

Day one and day two include the full field. Then officials cut the field, and only the top anglers fish the final day. As a result, Sunday carries the most drama.

Location and Venue

Where the Action Happens

Greenville sits in the Upstate region of South Carolina. It is a lively city with a walkable downtown, a famous waterfall park, and a strong food scene. The fans gather here. The fishing, however, happens on Lake Hartwell, about 30 to 45 minutes away by car, depending on the launch site.

Key Event Locations

• Lake Hartwell: The competition water. Anglers fish its creeks, points, docks, and open basins.
• Greenville Convention Center: The home of the Outdoors Expo.
• Bon Secours Wellness Arena: The indoor arena for weigh-ins, where thousands of fans watch the daily results.
• Takeoff sites: B.A.S.S. will announce the launch locations later. Check the official site for updates.

History of the Bassmaster Classic

How It All Began

Ray Scott founded B.A.S.S. in 1967. He wanted to turn bass fishing into a real sport with fair rules and big stakes. In 1971, he launched the first Classic on Lake Mead in Nevada. Bobby Murray won that first event. From there, the Classic grew into a global brand.

Growth Into a Week-Long Festival

Early Classics were small events. Today, the Classic is a week-long celebration. Recent events in Greenville, Knoxville, and Tulsa drew record crowds of more than 120,000 fans. Meanwhile, television and online streaming brought the action to millions of viewers.

Lake Hartwell Classic Winners

Hartwell has a rich Classic history. Four champions have raised the trophy here.

Year	Winner	Winning Weight
2008	Alton Jones	49 pounds, 7 ounces
2015	Casey Ashley	50 pounds, 1 ounce
2018	Jordan Lee	47 pounds, 1 ounce
2022	Jason Christie	54 pounds, 0 ounces

Each win told a different story. Jones held off the field in 2008. Ashley rallied in freezing water in 2015. Lee charged from sixth place on the last day in 2018, and he became a two-time champion. Christie then posted a powerful total in 2022.

Why Lake Hartwell?

A Proven Fishery

Lake Hartwell is a 56,000-acre reservoir on the border of South Carolina and Georgia. It includes parts of the Savannah, Tugaloo, and Seneca rivers. The lake holds both largemouth and spotted bass. It also has a strong herring population, which gives the bass plenty to eat.

Variety Tests Every Skill

The lake offers many types of water. Anglers can fish deep points, shallow brush, rocky banks, and boat docks. Therefore, no single trick wins every time. The best angler must read the conditions and adapt.

Strong Local Support

B.A.S.S. leaders praise the area for its world-class fishery, engaged fans, and strong community partners. Local agencies, including the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, also support the event. In addition, the region has hosted four Classics already. Experience matters, and Greenville and Anderson know how to run this show.

Great Timing

March is a sweet spot for bass fishing in the Upstate. Fish move toward shallow water to prepare for spring. As a result, anglers can catch heavy fish, and fans can see big weights on the scale.

Participating Anglers

How the Field Forms

The field has 58 anglers. Each one earns a seat through a qualifying path. B.A.S.S. awards spots through several routes.

• Angler of the Year: The top Elite Series point earners qualify.
• Past Classic champions: Former winners earn a seat.
• Elite Series winners: Event winners get a ticket.
• Bassmaster Opens winners: Division winners qualify if they fish the full Opens schedule.
• Bassmaster Qualifier winners: Winners in the new qualifier series earn spots.
• Amateur and college paths: The B.A.S.S. Nation Championship and the Bassmaster College Series send anglers too.
• Team Championship: One seat goes to the winner of this event.

Several seats were still open at last report. Therefore, the final roster may change before March.

Anglers to Watch

Many stars have already earned their place. Here are the names fans should know.

Angler	Why to Watch
Dylan Nutt	The 2026 Classic champion. He won at age 23 with 66 pounds, 13 ounces.
Trey McKinney	The 2026 Angler of the Year and the runner-up at the last Classic.
Jordan Lee	A two-time Classic champion who won at Hartwell in 2018.
Jason Christie	The 2022 Hartwell winner. He knows the lake well.
Easton Fothergill	A past champion who finished fourth in 2026.
Evan Kung	He won the St. Lawrence River event for his first Elite title.
Carl Jocumsen	A top Elite angler who has already earned a seat.
Emil Wagner	An Elite pro who locked in his place through the points race.
Austin Felix and Tucker Smith	Two more Elite anglers in the field.
Cody Stahl, Wyatt Burkhalter and Michael Harlin	Opens winners who earned their seats the hard way.

Notably, three veterans missed the field this time. John Crews, Greg Hackney, and Gerald Swindle did not qualify. They were the only anglers who had fished the previous four Hartwell Classics. As a result, the field has a fresh feel, and young talent has a real chance.

The Defending Champion

Dylan Nutt now carries the title of defending champion. He won in his home state of Tennessee and beat the field by more than nine pounds. Fans will watch closely to see whether he can repeat.

Tournament Format and Rules

Three Days, One Winner

The Classic uses a simple but demanding format. Anglers fish day one and day two. The scales then rank every angler by total weight. Only the top anglers move on to the final day. Finally, the champion is the angler with the highest three-day total.

Core Rules

Each angler may weigh up to five bass per day. Fish must meet the length limit for the lake. Anglers must weigh live fish, and they must keep them healthy. Officials check each boat, and they watch for rule violations. Anglers must also start and finish on time.

• Officials inspect boats and monitor the rules all week.
• Only legal bass count toward the daily limit.
• Anglers must follow all state and federal fishing laws.
• Late check-in leads to penalties for the day.
• Dead fish lead to weight penalties.
• After weigh-in, officials release the fish back into the lake.

The Hartwell Challenge

Anglers must decide quickly. They can run to the far ends of the lake or work close to the ramp. They can chase spotted bass or target largemouth. In addition, March weather can change fast. A warm day can switch to a cold front overnight. Therefore, flexibility often separates winners from the rest.

Prize Money and Rewards

The Big Check

The winner collects $300,000. The total purse is about $1 million. Additionally, every angler in the field earns a payout, and the Classic charges no entry fee.

Item	Detail
First place	$300,000
Total purse	About $1 million
Entry fee	None
Extra rewards	Trophy and lasting bragging rights

More Than Money

The title brings career-changing rewards. Sponsors line up for the champion. Fans recognize the winner at airports and gas stations. Meanwhile, the angler earns a place in a hall of champions that includes the greatest names in the sport. For many pros, that honor matters even more than the check.

Tickets and Admission

What We Know

B.A.S.S. had not released full ticket details at the time of writing. However, past Classics give a helpful guide. Most events in the week follow the same pattern.

• Takeoffs: These have been free to watch in past years.
• Expo: This is a paid event with a general admission ticket. Kids’ pricing has often been lower.
• Weigh-ins: Past events offered general admission and reserved seating. Premium seats usually sell out first.
• Multi-day passes: Fans can often buy bundles that cover several days.

How to Buy Smart

Follow these simple steps to get the best seats.

1. Visit Bassmaster.com and sign up for updates.
2. Check the Bon Secours Wellness Arena website for weigh-in seating.
3. Buy early, because Saturday and Sunday weigh-ins fill fast.
4. Use only official sellers to avoid fake tickets.
5. Arrive early on weigh-in days for the best parking and seats.

Always confirm prices and rules on the official site. Prices and passes may change.

Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo

The Largest Consumer Fishing Show

The Outdoors Expo is a main reason fans travel to the Classic. B.A.S.S. calls it the largest consumer fishing show in the country. About 200 exhibitors fill the Greenville Convention Center, and they sell gear for fishing, hunting, and camping.

What You Will Find

• New rods, reels, and lures from top brands
• Boats and marine electronics on display
• Show-only deals on tackle and clothing
• Meet-and-greet sessions with famous pros
• Casting contests and product demos
• Kids’ fishing games and prizes
• Local food, snacks, and drinks

Expo Tips

Bring a bag, because you will find many deals. Wear comfortable shoes, since the show is large. Additionally, visit on Friday if you hate crowds. Saturday is the busiest day. Finally, bring a marker for autographs, and take plenty of photos.

Live Coverage and Broadcasting

Watch From Anywhere

You do not have to visit Greenville to follow the action. B.A.S.S. streams live coverage of the Classic to fans around the world. Past events featured live weigh-ins, boat cameras, and expert commentary. Highlight shows have also aired on television.

Ways to Follow

• com: The home of live streams, leaderboards, and news.
• The Bassmaster app: Real-time scores and alerts on your phone.
• Social media: Short clips, photos, and behind-the-scenes content.
• Local coverage: Greenville and Anderson media outlets will report daily.

Check the official site closer to March for the final broadcast partners and times. Meanwhile, you can sign up for email alerts to avoid missing a moment.

Fishing at Lake Hartwell

Many Fans Want to Fish Too

Seeing the pros often inspires people to grab a rod. Fortunately, Lake Hartwell offers great fishing all year. Visitors can fish from a boat, a dock, or the shore.

What Swims in Hartwell

• Largemouth bass
• Spotted bass
• Striped bass and hybrid bass
• Crappie
• Catfish
• Bluegill and other panfish

Tips for Visitors

First, buy the correct fishing license from South Carolina or Georgia. Rules differ by state, and the lake crosses the border. Second, learn the reciprocal rules for the shared waters. Third, hire a local guide if you want fast results. Guides know the best docks and points, and they teach useful lessons. Finally, practice catch and release if you want to protect the fishery.

Public ramps and parks line the lake. For example, Anderson County invests in boat access points such as Green Pond Landing. However, expect crowded ramps during Classic week, so arrive early.

Fan Activities and Entertainment

More Than Fishing

Classic week is a festival. Greenville turns into a hub for outdoor fun. Fans can enjoy events all around town.

• Fan fests and sponsor displays with games and giveaways
• Live music and community events
• Kids’ casting and fishing areas
• Local restaurant specials and craft beer
• Pro meet-and-greets and autograph sessions

Beyond the Classic

Downtown Greenville offers plenty to do between fishing events. Visit Falls Park on the Reedy to see the waterfall and the famous bridge. Walk or bike the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Eat on Main Street, which features many local chefs. In addition, shops and galleries line the sidewalks. As a result, you can fill an entire weekend with fun.

Travel and Accommodation

Getting There

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is the closest major airport. It sits about 20 minutes from downtown. Additionally, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport lies about two hours away by road, and it has many more flight options. Interstate 85 links Greenville to Atlanta and Charlotte. Therefore, driving is easy for many fans in the Southeast.

Where to Stay

Book early. Hotels near downtown fill up fast during Classic week. Prices rise as the date nears.

Area	Best For	Notes
Downtown Greenville	Expo and weigh-in access	Walkable, lively, and higher prices
Anderson area	Near the lake	Quiet, close to launch sites
Greer and Spartanburg	Budget stays	Short drive to Greenville
Lakefront rentals	Groups and families	Good for fishing trips and larger parties

Getting Around

Downtown parking can be tight. Therefore, use parking garages or ride-share services. Allow extra time on weigh-in days. In addition, check for shuttle information from event organizers.

Weather in March

The Upstate in March can feel chilly in the morning and mild in the afternoon. Pack layers, a warm jacket, and a rain shell. Fishing fans should also bring sunglasses and a hat.

Family Visitor Guide

A Family-Friendly Event

The Classic welcomes visitors of all ages. Children enjoy the expo, the casting games, and the boat displays. Many families also love the excitement of a live weigh-in.

Tips for Parents

• Visit the expo on a weekday for smaller crowds.
• Plan breaks, because the show is big and busy.
• Bring snacks and water bottles where rules allow.
• Use ear protection for young children at loud weigh-ins.
• Set a meeting spot in case your group splits up.
• Check bag rules at each venue before you arrive.

Sample Family Day

Start with a free takeoff at sunrise if your children enjoy early mornings. Then eat breakfast in town. Next, spend the late morning at the expo. After lunch, visit Falls Park for a walk. Finally, head to the arena for the weigh-in. This plan mixes excitement with rest.

Economic Impact and Community

A Proven Boost

The Classic brings a major financial lift to the region. In 2022, an estimated 154,932 fans attended Classic week events in Greenville. B.A.S.S. estimated the event generated more than $25.5 million in economic impact. Organizers expect more than 150,000 fans again in 2027.

Who Benefits

• Hotels: Rooms fill for the whole week.
• Restaurants and bars: Crowds increase sales.
• Shops and gas stations: Visitors spend on supplies.
• Boat ramps and marinas: Local businesses serve anglers and guides.
• Workers: Event staff, drivers, and vendors earn extra income.

Community Pride

Local leaders see the event as more than a payday. One tourism leader said the Classic shows how tourism can serve as a true community engine, supporting jobs, local business, and quality of life. Another leader called hosting the event a tremendous honor. In short, the Classic puts the Upstate in the national spotlight, and it shows the world what the region does best.

Quick Planning Checklist

A little planning goes a long way. Use this short checklist to prepare for the week.

Task	When to Do It
Book hotels and rentals	As soon as possible
Sign up for official event updates	Now
Buy weigh-in and expo tickets	When B.A.S.S. opens sales
Arrange a fishing license or guide	At least two weeks before
Check the forecast and pack layers	The week before
Plan parking and ride-share options	The week before

Final Tips for First-Time Visitors

First, keep your schedule flexible. Leaders change, and the weigh-in drama often grows by the hour. Second, talk to the anglers and vendors. Most of them love to share advice. Third, explore the local food. Upstate South Carolina serves excellent barbecue, southern comfort dishes, and fresh farm meals. Finally, charge your phone, because you will take many photos and follow live updates all day.

Conclusion

The 2027 Classic promises a thrilling week. It runs March 19 to 21, 2027, on Lake Hartwell, with Greenville as the host city. Fifty-eight anglers will compete for $300,000 and a place in fishing history. Dylan Nutt will defend his title, and stars such as Trey McKinney, Jordan Lee, and Jason Christie will chase him.

Additionally, fans can enjoy the huge Outdoors Expo, live weigh-ins, music, food, and family fun. Travelers should book hotels early, check ticket details on the official site, and pack for cool spring weather. Furthermore, remote fans can follow every cast online. Whether you attend in person or watch from home, this event is one to mark on your calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is the 2027 Bassmaster Classic?

The event runs March 19 to 21, 2027. Some sites mention January 19 to 21, but B.A.S.S. lists March as the official window.

2. Where will the Classic take place?

Anglers fish Lake Hartwell near Greenville and Anderson, South Carolina. The expo takes place at the Greenville Convention Center, and weigh-ins happen at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

3. How many times has Lake Hartwell hosted the Classic?

The 2027 event will be the fifth time. Earlier Classics took place in 2008, 2015, 2018, and 2022.

4. How many anglers will compete?

The field has 58 anglers. A few seats were still open at last report.

5. How much does the winner receive?

The champion earns $300,000. The total purse is about $1 million.

6. How much do tickets cost?

B.A.S.S. had not posted full 2027 prices at the time of writing. Past takeoffs were free, while the expo and weigh-ins required tickets. Check Bassmaster.com for the latest news.

7. Who won the last Classic?

Dylan Nutt won the 2026 event in Tennessee with 66 pounds, 13 ounces over three days.

8. Can I watch the Classic online?

Yes. B.A.S.S. streams live coverage and posts updates on its website and app. Check the official site for the final broadcast plan.

9. Is the Classic family friendly?

Yes. The expo, casting games, and weigh-ins suit all ages. Parents should plan breaks and arrive early.

10. How do anglers qualify for the Classic?

Anglers earn seats through Angler of the Year points, Elite and Opens wins, qualifier events, amateur and college championships, and the team championship. Past champions also earn a spot.

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