How the field is built

Qualification Criteria

The 60-angler field for The Champions 2026 is determined by performance across 16 qualifying tournaments: 9 Bass events and 7 MLF events throughout the 2026 season. Here is exactly how it works.

60

Total
Anglers

30

Bass
Elite

30

Bass Pro Tour

16

Qualifying
events

$3.25M

Total
purse

Automatic

Win any qualifying event

Any angler who wins any of the 9 Bass tournaments or any of the 7 MLF tournaments in 2026 earns an automatic invitation to The Champions, regardless of their overall points position.

A person in a boat holding a fishing rod with a large fish, possibly a bass, caught on the line, with the fish emerging from the water and the angler reaching out. 
Points based

Finish in the top 25 in points

Bass Elite:
Top 30 anglers in cumulative points across all 9 Bass qualifying tournaments.

Bass Pro Tour:
Top 30 anglers in cumulative points across all 7 Bass Pro Tour qualifying tournaments.

Equal representation rule

Leveling the Playing Field

If one tour qualifies more than 30 anglers through event wins, the other tour's field is adjusted to match, ensuring equal representation from both tours. For example, if Bass qualifies 32 anglers through wins and points, the next 2 anglers in the MLF AOY standings also qualify. The field is always 60 anglers, always split evenly.

A small boat with a person fishing on a river with rocky shoreline and trees showing fall foliage in the background.

2026 Qualifying Events

Bass Elite — 9 Events
1Lake Guntersville, ALFeb 5 to 8
2Lake Martin, ALFeb 12 to 15
3Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, MSMar 26 to 29
4Arkansas River, OKApr 16 to 19
5Lake Murray, SCMay 7 to 10
6Santee Cooper Lakes, SCMay 14 to 17
7Pasquotank River / Albemarle Sound, NCJun 11 to 14
8Lake Champlain, NYAug 13 to 16
9St. Lawrence River, NYAug 27 to 30
Bass Pro Tour (MLF) — 7 Events
1Lake Guntersville, ALJan 15 to 18
2Lake Hartwell, SCFeb 19 to 22
3Lake Whitney + Lake Waco, TXMar 5 to 8
4OH Ivie + Lake Brownwood, TXMar 26 to 29
5Beaver Lake, ARApr 30 to May 3
6Grand Lake, OKJun 18 to 21
7Lake Erie, OHAug 6 to 9

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