The Bassmaster Classic 2026, often called the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing,” returned this year in Knoxville, Tennessee, bringing together the top professional bass anglers in the United States. The prestigious three-day fishing event featured intense competition as anglers attempted to catch their five heaviest fish each day to build the best total weight.
The tournament ran from March 13 to March 15, 2026, with live coverage available on television and online streaming platforms. Fans followed the action from the Tennessee River’s Fort Loudoun and Tellico Lakes, while the final weigh-ins were held at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.
Bassmaster Classic 2026 Event Details
| Event | Bassmaster Classic 2026 |
|---|---|
| Sport | Professional Bass Fishing |
| Date | March 13 – March 15, 2026 |
| Location | Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Fishing Venues | Fort Loudoun Lake & Tellico Lake |
| Weigh-in Venue | Thompson-Boling Arena |
| Anglers Competing | Top 50 anglers |
The Bassmaster Classic is considered the biggest event in professional bass fishing and attracts thousands of fans each year.
Where to Watch Bassmaster Classic 2026 on TV
Fans in the United States could watch tournament coverage on national television networks.
| Channel | Coverage |
|---|---|
| FOX | Main weekend coverage |
| FS2 | Tournament recap and highlights |
FOX broadcast key moments from the tournament on Saturday and Sunday, while FS2 provided recap coverage.
Bassmaster Classic 2026 Live Streaming Options
Viewers who preferred to watch online had several streaming options.
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Bassmaster.com | Live daily tournament coverage |
| Fubo | Live streaming of FOX and FS2 broadcasts |
Bassmaster.com streamed the event throughout the competition, including live fishing coverage and weigh-ins.
Bassmaster Classic 2026 TV & Streaming Schedule
| Date | Event | Time (ET) | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 13 | Live tournament coverage | 8 AM – 3 PM | Bassmaster.com |
| March 13 | Weigh-in | 3 PM | Bassmaster.com |
| March 14 | Live coverage | 8 AM – Noon | Bassmaster.com |
| March 14 | Live coverage | Noon – 3 PM | FOX / Fubo |
| March 14 | Weigh-in | 3 PM | Bassmaster.com |
| March 15 | Live coverage | 8 AM – 2:25 PM | Bassmaster.com |
| March 15 | Recap | 1 PM – 3 PM | FS2 |
| March 15 | Final coverage | 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM | FOX |
2026 Bassmaster Classic Winner
The 2026 Bassmaster Classic champion was Dylan Nutt, a 22-year-old angler from Nashville. It was his first Bassmaster Classic appearance, making the victory even more remarkable.
| Position | Angler | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Dylan Nutt | USA |
| 2nd | Trey McKinney | USA |
| 3rd | Yui Aoki | Japan |
| 4th | Easton Fothergill | USA |
| 5th | JT Thompkins | USA |
On the final day, Nutt caught five fish weighing 20 pounds and 13 ounces, bringing his three-day total to 66 pounds and 13 ounces, which secured the championship.
Also see: Paul Skenes Leads Team USA Into World Baseball Classic Semifinal Clash With Dominican Republic
How the Bassmaster Classic Works
The tournament format is simple but demanding. Each angler fishes for three days and brings their five heaviest bass to the official weigh-in each day. The angler with the highest total weight across all three days becomes the champion.
The event attracts anglers from across the country and remains one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport.
Recent Bassmaster Classic Winners
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Easton Fothergill |
| 2024 | Justin Hamner |
| 2023 | Jeff Gustafson |
| 2022 | Jason Christie |
| 2021 | Hank Cherry |
Event Impact and Future Tournament
The Bassmaster Classic continues to bring large crowds and major economic activity to host cities. Knoxville has hosted the event several times and again welcomed thousands of fishing fans for the 2026 tournament.
Looking ahead, the 2027 Bassmaster Classic is scheduled to take place in Greeneville, South Carolina, at Lake Hartwell.
Fans who want to watch future Bassmaster Classic tournaments can follow the action live on FOX, FS2, Bassmaster.com, and streaming services like Fubo.
