Qualification Criteria

The Champions Qualifying Information

Automatic Qualification by Event Win:

Any angler who, in 2026, wins any of the 9 Bass tournaments or any of the 7 MLF tournaments will automatically earn an official invitation to compete in the Tournament.

Points-Based Qualifications:

• Bass: Top 25 anglers in points across the 9 Bass Tournaments
• MLF: Top 25 anglers in points across the 7 MLF Tournaments

Qualifying Events:

Bass:
(1) February 5-8, 2026 — Lake Guntersville, AL; (2) February 12-15, 2026 — Lake Martin, AL; (3) March 26-29, 2026 — Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, MS; (4) April 16-19, 2026 — Arkansas River, OK; (5) May 7-10, 2026 — Lake Murray, SC; (6) May 14-17, 2026 — Santee Cooper Lakes, SC; (7) June 11-14, 2026 — Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound, NC; (8) August 13-16, 2026 — Lake Champlain, NY; and (9) August 27-30, 2026 — St. Lawrence River, NY

MLF:
(1) January 15-18, 2026 — Lake Guntersville, AL; (2) February 19-22, 206 — Lake Hartwell, Oconee County, SC; (3) March 5-8, 2026 — Lake Whitney & Lake Waco, TX; (4) March 26-29, 2026 — OH Ivie and Lake Brownwood, Early, TX; (5) April 30-May 3, 2026 — Beaver Lake, Rogers/Northwest, AK; (6) June 18-21, 2026 — Grand Lake, Grove, OK; and (7) August 6-9, 2026 — Lake Erie, Sandusky, OH

Leveling the Playing Field

If one tour has more qualifying anglers than the other, the field will be adjusted to ensure equal representation. For example, if Bass qualifies 29 anglers and MLF qualifies 27, the next two anglers in the AOY standings will also qualify.