Nina Taylor 
Bass fishing is about to make history. The World Bass Enterprises Championship 2026, officially known as “The Champions,” is set to become the most significant tournament in the history of the sport. The event runs from October 28 to November 1, 2026, across multiple locations in the Nashville, Tennessee area. With a record-setting purse of more than 3.25 million dollars and the world’s top 50 anglers competing for the first time ever on the same water, this is a once-in-a-generation event for fishing fans across the country.
Whether you plan to attend in person or watch through the official pay-per-view live stream, this complete schedule breakdown gives you everything you need to follow the action day by day.
Event Overview: The Basics at a Glance
World Bass Enterprises (WBE) was established in 2026 with one clear mission — to unify professional bass fishing. The Champions tournament brings together the top 25 anglers from the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series and the top 25 from Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour. These two circuits have never faced each other head-to-head in direct competition until now.
The result is a five-day event with three days of competitive fishing, a massive outdoor expo, live concerts, a pro-am competition, and fan experiences spread across some of Nashville’s most iconic venues.
| Detail | Information |
| Tournament Name | The Champions |
| Organizer | World Bass Enterprises (WBE) |
| Dates | October 28 – November 1, 2026 |
| Competition Water | Old Hickory Lake, Hendersonville, TN |
| Weigh-In Location | Sanders Ferry Park, Hendersonville, TN |
| Expo and Ceremonies | Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville, TN |
| Concert Venue | The Pinnacle, Nashville, TN |
| Pro-Am Location | Percy Priest Lake, Nashville, TN |
| Total Prize Purse | $3.25 million |
| First Place Prize | $1.25 million |
| Second Place Prize | $500,000 |
| Third Place Prize | $300,000 |
| Total Anglers | 50 (Top 25 from each tour) |
Day-by-Day Schedule Breakdown
Wednesday, October 28 — Media Day and Opening Ceremonies
The event officially kicks off on Wednesday, October 28, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville. This is Media Day. Anglers meet the press, conduct interviews, and share their strategies ahead of competition. Additionally, the formal Opening Ceremonies take place here, setting the stage for what lies ahead on the water.
The Gaylord Opryland is the tournament’s official host hotel and headquarters. It serves as the anchor for all off-water activities throughout the week. Fans can explore the resort’s grounds during this day, though the main fan events begin in earnest from Thursday onward.
Thursday, October 29 — Round One Competition Begins
Competition starts on Thursday morning with a shotgun start on Old Hickory Lake. All 50 anglers take to the water simultaneously. Each angler has a full day to work the lake and bring in their best bag of fish.
Weigh-in takes place at Sanders Ferry Park in Hendersonville. This is the central fan hub for all three competition days. The park transforms into a lively festival site with food trucks, a beer garden, a kids fishing area, a petting zoo, and four live musical performances each day. Therefore, families and casual fans have plenty to enjoy even if they are new to competitive bass fishing.
After Round One, the full leaderboard is revealed. The format uses a blind leaderboard system during competition days, which means the standings are not updated in real time during fishing. This creates a dramatic and suspenseful weigh-in experience for everyone watching at the park or online.
Friday, October 30 — Round Two Competition and Concert Night
Friday brings Round Two on Old Hickory Lake. All 50 anglers return to the water for their second and final qualifying round. At the conclusion of the day’s weigh-in at Sanders Ferry Park, the top 15 anglers are announced. These are the competitors who advance to Championship Day on Saturday.
Friday evening is also the biggest off-water event of the week. The WBE Concert 250 takes place at The Pinnacle in Nashville, headlined by CMA and ACM Award-winning country music star Riley Green. This concert is open to ticket holders and is expected to be one of the highlights of the entire week for fans who make the trip to Nashville.
Saturday, October 31 — Championship Day
Saturday is Championship Day. The top 15 anglers from Rounds One and Two return to Old Hickory Lake for the decisive competition. Every fish counts. The stakes are clear — the winner takes home 1.25 million dollars and is crowned the first-ever world bass fishing champion, receiving The Champion’s Cup.
The format on Championship Day remains the same standard bass tournament rules used in qualifying rounds. However, with only 15 competitors on the water and the full prize on the line, the intensity reaches a completely different level. Weigh-in once again takes place at Sanders Ferry Park, where fans gather for what will be a historic and celebratory finish. The champion is announced live, and the blind leaderboard reveals its final result in dramatic fashion.
Sunday, November 1 — Pro-Am Competition at Percy Priest Lake
The final day of the week shifts the action to Percy Priest Lake in Nashville. The Pro-Am competition features the top 15 anglers from The Champions tournament fishing alongside legendary anglers, celebrities, and other notable guests. This is a more relaxed and celebratory format designed to give fans an up-close look at elite anglers in a different setting.
The Pro-Am is available exclusively through the pay-per-view live stream, making it a unique incentive for viewers who have followed the event digitally throughout the week. It serves as a fitting close to a historic week of fishing.
The Official Expo of The Champions
Running alongside the competition days, the Official Expo of The Champions is housed at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. The expo features 70,000 square feet of booth space from top brands across fishing, hunting, and outdoor sports. Attendees can demo gear, speak directly with brand representatives, and discover new products in the outdoor category.
For outdoor enthusiasts who plan to attend the event, the expo alone makes the trip worthwhile. It is one of the largest temporary outdoor sports expos held in the region and represents a broad cross-section of the industry.
Additionally, the event organizers spread a 150,000-square-foot expo presence across the resort and Sanders Ferry Park, giving the event a genuinely large-scale footprint throughout the Nashville area.
Prize Structure at a Glance
The prize money on offer at this event is unprecedented in bass fishing history. No tournament has ever awarded more to its winner than The Champions. Additionally, the top three placements all represent life-changing sums for professional anglers.
| Place | Prize Amount |
| 1st Place (Champion) | $1,250,000 |
| 2nd Place | $500,000 |
| 3rd Place | $300,000 |
| 4th–15th Place | Tiered payouts from remaining purse |
| Total Purse | $3,250,000+ |
The prize structure also includes non-cash rewards. Winners at various stages of the competition can select from additional prizes including an ATV, a guided fishing trip, and a beach getaway for two to San Juan, Puerto Rico, distributed in order of drawing results.
How to Watch: Live Stream and PPV Options
For fans who cannot attend in person, World Bass Enterprises offers a pay-per-view live stream covering the full event from October 28 through November 1. Coverage begins on Media Day and includes all three competition days, Championship Day weigh-ins, and the Sunday Pro-Am at Percy Priest Lake.
Purchasing a PPV pass also enters buyers into the Average Joe Angler sweepstakes, which offers a chance to win a spot fishing alongside the world’s top 50 competitors. The sweepstakes entry deadline was August 20, 2026. A separate merchandise sweepstakes for a Ranger boat plus 12,000 dollars in cash ran through September 20, 2026.
Full streaming details and PPV passes are available at worldbassenterprises.com.
Conclusion
The World Bass Enterprises Championship 2026 is a landmark event in the history of competitive fishing. Spanning five days from October 28 to November 1, the tournament brings together the best anglers from two major professional circuits for the first time in a head-to-head format. The schedule covers Media Day and Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday, three thrilling competition days on Old Hickory Lake from Thursday through Saturday, and a celebrity Pro-Am finale at Percy Priest Lake on Sunday. Off the water, fans enjoy live concerts headlined by Riley Green, a massive outdoor expo at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, and a full fan festival at Sanders Ferry Park each day. With $3.25 million on the line and history in the making, bass fishing is having its biggest week ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the World Bass Enterprises Championship 2026 take place?
The tournament competition takes place on Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, Tennessee, with daily weigh-ins at Sanders Ferry Park. The expo, media day, and opening ceremonies take place at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville. The pro-am on November 1 takes place at Percy Priest Lake, also in Nashville.
How many anglers compete in The Champions tournament?
A total of 50 anglers compete, made up of the top 25 from the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series and the top 25 from Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour. After two qualifying rounds, the top 15 advance to Championship Day on Saturday, October 31.
What is the total prize purse for the 2026 championship?
The total purse exceeds 3.25 million dollars. The winner receives 1.25 million dollars, the single largest prize ever awarded in the history of bass fishing. Second place earns 500,000 dollars and third place receives 300,000 dollars, with tiered payouts continuing through the top 15 finishers.
Can fans attend the event in person?
Yes. The fan festival at Sanders Ferry Park is open each competition day and features food trucks, a beer garden, live music performances, kids’ activities, a petting zoo, and a kids’ fishing area. The expo at Gaylord Opryland also welcomes attendees, while the Friday night Riley Green concert at The Pinnacle requires a separate ticket.
Is there a live stream available for The Champions tournament?
Yes. World Bass Enterprises offers a pay-per-view live stream covering all five days of the event, including competition days, weigh-ins, and the Sunday Pro-Am at Percy Priest Lake. PPV passes are available at worldbassenterprises.com.
