For the first time in its 49-year history, the Bassmaster Classic presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods, will be held on the Tennessee River, out of Knoxville.
It will take place from March 15th to 17th next year alongside the Bassmaster Classic Outdoor Expo, which is fast becoming the event for manufacturers in the bass fishing sector to launch their new products for the season.
The venue for the show will be the Knoxville Convention Center and the adjacent World’s Fair Exhibition Hall, which is being renovated this spring.
“Knoxville meets and exceeds all the requirements we have for the Bassmaster Classic – great fishing on the Tennessee River, first class facilities to accommodate crowds of fishing fans, a vibrant city and a corps of state and local tourism professionals who will ensure its success,” said B.A.S.S. CEO, Bruce Akin.
For the past decade, the combined attendance at the Classic venues has averaged more than 100,000 a year and the event generates about $25m in economic impact.
The Bassmaster Classic pits 50 of the world’s best bass anglers against one another for a share of the $1m purse, including $300,000 for the winner. Jordan Lee, a 26-year-old former college fishing champion, is the current defending Classic champion after becoming the youngest ever – and one of only three in history – to win back-to-back titles.