2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour

This entry is a companion listing to the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic at Knoxville, providing additional detail on the Outdoors Expo and spectator experience surrounding the March 13 to 15, 2026 competition on Fort Loudoun and Tellico Lake. The Classic’s three-day public programme encompasses both the on-water competition and the largest single-event outdoor recreation exposition in the American Southeast, making the weekend accessible to families with no existing connection to professional fishing who want to experience a major sporting event with genuine public engagement.

The Outdoors Expo as a Destination in Its Own Right

The Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by GSM Outdoors fills the Knoxville Convention Center and adjacent World’s Fair Exhibition Hall with over 200 exhibitors across 250,000 square feet of floor space. This is the largest Expo footprint in the Classic’s history at a Knoxville venue, reflecting the growth of the event since its 2023 return generated $35.5 million in economic impact. Major fishing brands present their current and upcoming product lines in interactive booth formats rather than static display, meaning the Expo functions as hands-on gear education rather than passive retail browsing. Tackle manufacturers, boat builders, electronics brands, apparel companies, and fishing media organisations collectively represent the full spectrum of the sport’s commercial ecosystem within a single walkable venue.

Good to Know: Daily takeoffs at Volunteer Landing on the Tennessee River waterfront draw large public crowds beginning before the 7 AM departure window, as fans gather to watch the 58-boat field launch sequentially into competitive conditions on Fort Loudoun Lake. Bring warm layers for the early morning: Knoxville in mid-March averages morning temperatures near 7 degrees Celsius, and Volunteer Landing’s open river setting provides no wind shelter. The afternoon weigh-in at Thompson-Boling Arena draws the day’s largest indoor crowd, with doors opening approximately 90 minutes before the first fish arrives at the stage.

Qualifying and the Stakes

The 58-angler field reaches Knoxville through five qualification pathways: the Bassmaster Elite Series, the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN, the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance, the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s, and the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship. Canadian pro Jeff Gustafson won the 2023 Classic at this same venue, catching 42 pounds and 7 ounces across three days to become the first Canadian in Bassmaster Classic history to claim the Ray Scott Trophy. His performance sets the performance benchmark against which the 2026 field will be measured. Volunteer Landing’s morning scenes, the arena’s afternoon drama, and the Expo’s commercial energy combine to make the Classic the most comprehensively produced public event in the professional bass fishing calendar. Lake.com lists vacation rental options across Knoxville and Knox County for participants and families building their Classic weekend stay.