Major League Fishing
October 15, 2025
By Staff Report
Thousands of anglers have gotten their start in the Bass Fishing League over the past 46 years and have risen to national prominence across a variety of tournament circuits. A total of 1,348 anglers have fished in 100 or more BFL tournaments, and 1,858 anglers have earned 10 or more top-10 finishes in BFL competition. Nearly 200 anglers – 194 total – have earned more than $100,000 in winnings solely through the BFL. And it's still going strong.
The 2026 Bass Fishing League season will feature a streamlined payout structure that awards 20 percent of the field with 29 percent more money for a win and 25 percent more money for the last checks in every qualifier, all while reducing entry fees to $200 for boaters and $100 for co-anglers.
That translates to a $4,000 top boater award based on a 100-boat field, scaling up to $7,750 at 200 boats plus a $500 to $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers. Co-anglers, meanwhile, will earn a $2,000 top award at 100 boats, scaling up to $3,875 at 200 boats. Twenty percent of the field earns a check of at least $250 for boaters and $125 for co-anglers regardless of field size.
At Super Tournaments, the top boater award jumps to $6,000 at 100 boats, scaling up to $11,450 at 200 boats – 27 percent more than 2025 – plus a $500 to $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers. The top co-angler award in Super Tournaments jumps to $3,000 at 100 boats, scaling up to $5,725 at 200 boats – 27 percent more than 2025. Twenty percent of the field earns a check of at least $400 for boaters and $200 for co-anglers, 33 percent more than 2025, all while reducing entry fees to $300 for boaters and $150 for co-anglers.
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The 2026 season will also see the return to six Regionals, each awarding a Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200 HP outboard ($50,000 value) to the winning boater, plus a $500 to $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers. Co-anglers will compete for a Phoenix 518 Pro with 115 HP outboard (valued at $33,500), a 67 percent increase over 2025. Twenty percent of each field will earn a check of at least $450 for boaters and $225 for co-anglers, and the top seven boaters and co-anglers from each Regional will advance to the All-American, which will now feature a 56-boat field – 17 percent more anglers than 2025. Regional entry fees remain unchanged at $350 for boaters and $175 for co-anglers.
All BFL events will include restricted use of forward-facing and 360-degree sonar technology – limited to three hours of continuous use per day – maintaining a fair and balanced playing field for all anglers while emphasizing skill and strategy.
“The Phoenix Bass Fishing League has always been about opportunity – giving anglers the chance to compete close to home in a professional setting for meaningful prizes,” said MLF Executive Vice President and General Manager Kathy Fennel. “With lower entry fees, higher payouts and more ways to win than ever before, the 2026 season represents the most rewarding year yet for our BFL anglers. For more than four decades, this trail has been the foundation of tournament bass fishing, and we’re proud to continue carrying that legacy forward.”
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Here's a look at the updated BFL format for 2026:
24 Divisions
Four 1-day qualifiers per division (forward-facing/360-degree sonar usage restricted to 3 continuous hours) One 2-day super tournament per division (same FFS/360 usage rules) Qualifier Tournaments
Entry fees: $200 boater/$100 co-angler Payouts: $4,000 top boater award based on a 100-boat field, scaling up to $7,750 at 200 boats. Qualified anglers eligible for $500 to $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus in every tournament. $2,000 top co-angler award based on a 100-boat field, scaling up to $3,875 at 200 boats. Winning boater and co-angler from each Qualifier advance to a Regional 2-Day Super Tournaments
Entry fees: $300 boater/$150 co-angler Payouts: $6,000 top boater award based on a 100-boat field, scaling up to $11,450 at 200 boats. Qualified anglers eligible for $500 to $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus in every tournament. $3,000 top co-angler award based on a 100-boat field, scaling up to $5,725 at 200 boats. Winning boater and co-angler from each Super Tournament advance to a Regional 3-Day Regionals
Entry fees: $350 boater/$175 co-angler Payouts: Phoenix 819 Pro with 200 HP outboard top boater award ($50,000 value). Qualified anglers eligible for $500 to $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus in every tournament. Phoenix 518 Pro with 115 HP outboard top co-angler award ($33,500 value). Top 7 boaters and top 7 co-anglers from each Regional advance to the All-American. 2-Day Wild Card
Entry fees: $300 boater/$150 co-angler Payouts: $6,000 top boater award based on a 100-boat field, scaling up to $11,450 at 200 boats. Qualified anglers eligible for $500 to $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus. $3,000 top co-angler award based on a 100-boat field, scaling up to $5,725 at 200 boats. Top 7 boaters and top 7 co-anglers advance to the All-American. 2027 All-American
Entry fees: None Payouts: $100,000 top boater award + $20,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus. $50,000 top co-angler award. Highest-finishing boater and co-angler from each Regional at the All-American advance to the Toyota Series Championship. All-American boater champion advances to 2028 REDCREST. Every boater earns at least $2,000 and every co-angler earns at least $1,000. For additional details about the 2026 BFL season, click here .
