World Bass Enterprises selects Nashville for ‘The Champions’ tournament (Photo by Niklas König / Unsplash)
World Bass Enterprises has officially selected Nashville as the host city for The Champions.
The first-of-its-kind tournament will bring together the top 25 anglers from both the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series and Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour. They will compete for a massive $3.25 million purse, including a $1.25 million payout to the winning angler, marking the largest prize in the sport’s history.
The exciting five-day event will be held on Old Hickory Lake at Sanders Ferry Park in Hendersonville, Tennessee, from October 28 to November 1, 2026. In addition to three days of competition, the event will feature family-friendly fan experiences, live music, a 150,000 sq. ft. expo, and community engagement activities.
The Champions is designed to “celebrate the sport of bass fishing and welcome visitors from across the country to the Nashville region.”
Production Partners Announced For The Champions Tournament
World Bass Enterprises has partnered with Go West Creative and Cumberland Hospitality Group (CHG) as key partners for The Champions tournament. As a hospitality leader in Music Valley and the greater Nashville area, CHG is responsible for Nashville staples such as The Nashville Palace, Scoreboard Bar & Grill, Bootleggers Inn, and more.
World Bass Enterprises Founder and CEO Brian Bird shared:
“We’re excited to partner with local experts Go West Creative and CHG. Their deep Nashville roots, combined with Excel Sports Management’s experience across the biggest sporting events, will make ‘The Champions‘ a truly world-class and unforgettable event.”
Lee Greenwood To Perform During Opening Ceremonies
Grammy-award-winning vocalist “>Lee Greenwood will perform during the opening ceremonies of The Champions on October 28th. Additionally, he will sing the national anthem the following day, on the first day of competition.
More information on The Champions and future updates can be found on World Bass Enterprises’ official website.
