Hall of Fame Angler to Serve as Ambassador of
World Bass Fishing Championship Featuring Record-Setting $3.25 Million Purse
NASHVILLE, August 25, 2026 – World Bass Enterprises (WBE) today announced that legendary bass angler Bill Dance will serve as a headline ambassador of its inaugural “The Champions” tournament – the first-ever world bass fishing championship featuring a record-setting purse of $3.25 million, the largest in the sport’s history.
Dance will kick off the first day of competition for “The Champions” on Thursday, Oct. 29, firing a Civil War-era cannon to send the anglers off onto Old Hickory Lake. Fans attending will also have the chance to meet the legendary angler at the outdoor expo at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.
“The Champions,” which will be held outside of Nashville on Old Hickory Lake at Sanders Ferry Park in Hendersonville, Tenn., from Oct. 28 – Nov. 1, will feature a field of 50 anglers comprised of the top 25 anglers from the two biggest bass fishing organizations in the world, including Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour.
A native of Lynchburg, Tenn., Dance gained notoriety in the 1960s as a competitive bass angler and began hosting the “Bill Dance Outdoors” television program on the ABC station in Memphis in 1968. Today, “Bill Dance Outdoors” is broadcasted nationwide and the longest-running national fishing show in America, totaling more than 3,000 episodes.
Dance is a member of the International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame, National Freshwater Hall of Fame, and Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, has 23 National Bass Fishing titles and seven B.A.S.S titles, and is a three-time B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year (1970, 1972, 1977).
“Bill Dance is synonymous with bass fishing,” said Brian Bird, Founder and CEO of WBE. “Bill has been a staple in the industry for decades and is the biggest celebrity in the sport. We couldn’t call ourselves the biggest event in bass fishing and hold our event in Tennessee and not have Bill involved. It was a no-brainer to bring him on board and we’re super excited to have him as an ambassador.”
Old Hickory Lake is one of 14 lakes across Tennessee that is designated as a Bill Dance Signature Lake – a program that is a collaboration between Dance, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee State Parks and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development to improve and enhance Tennessee Lakes, increase visitation and honor Dance's legacy.
“‘The Champions’ is an event the professional bass fishing world has needed and wanted for a long time, and I’m excited for a chance to see it first hand,” Dance said. “Brian and his team are putting together a can’t-miss event that will settle a lot of arguments among bass fishing fans and I’m looking forward to seeing the best anglers in the world compete on one lake for the richest prize this sport has ever seen.”
Dance joins NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss as an event ambassador for “The Champions” tournament.
“The Champions” is a family-friendly five-day event, with three days of competition, that will include a fireworks show, a flyover, interactive games, fishing activities for all ages, food and beverage vendors, and multiple musical acts, including country music superstar Riley Green headlining Friday evening’s “WBE Concert 250” at The Pinnacle in Nashville.
For additional details on “The Champions” tournament, including ticket sales, broadcast information, and more, fans can visit worldbassenterprises.com.
ABOUT WORLD BASS ENTERPRISES:
Established in 2026, World Bass Enterprises serves as the founder and host organization for “The Champions” tournament, the annual world bass fishing championship where a field of 50 anglers – comprised of the top 25 anglers from the two biggest bass fishing organizations in the world, including Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour – compete for record-setting prize pools and The Champion’s Cup.
For more information visit worldbassenterprises.com.
