NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Matt Robertson of Kuttawa is receiving $1.25 million after winning the inaugural “The Champions” Bass Fishing World Championship, hosted by the World Bass Enterprise.
Matt Robertson celebrates on stage with the trophy after winning the 2026 World Bass Enterprises — The Champions Tournament on October 31, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Christian Petersen
Robertson is receiving the record payout after competing against 60 other top anglers in the world, winning with five catches of 20 pounds and 2 ounces on Saturday, Oct. 31, and beating out 14 other anglers who qualified for the final day.
“It’s freaking insane, I don’t think it’s really hit me yet. I just won the biggest tournament ever in bass fishing,” Robertson said after his win. “$1.25 million will drastically change my life… This was an awesome experience, this is the Super Bowl of bass fishing, I don’t care what anybody says, I know because I stood on the Super Bowl stage.”
WBE’s world bass championship featured a grand total prize pool of $3.25 million, with $1.25 being awarded to the winning angler.
“We set out to host the biggest and baddest tournament the bass fishing community has ever seen, and we did just that,” said Brian Bird, CEO and founder of WBE. “I want to send out a huge congratulations to our winning angler, Matt, and the full field of participants. To the fans and all of Nashville, thank you for your support. This has been a fantastic few days celebrating the best in the world.”
Matt Robertson poses for photos with the trophy after winning the 2026 World Bass Enterprises — The Champions Tournament on October 31, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Christian Petersen
Alongside Robertson’s finish in the top five are Pake South from Winnsboro, Texas, in second place winning $500,000. Wesley Strader of Spring City, Tennessee, in third place taking home $300,000. Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Illinois, coming in fourth place and winning $200,000; and Michael Neal from Dayton, Tennessee, in fifth place receiving $100,000.
“An awesome payday, it’s really life-changing money, and it’s wild that I can win second place and still win that much money, and it’s truly a blessing from God, it’s really been a blessed week,” South said after his second-place win.
Friday night, country music star Riley Green headlined the “WBE Concert 250” at The Pinnacle in Nashville, with another outdoorsman Randy Houser opening for the show.
The Champions Tournament began on Wednesday evening with opening ceremonies, featuring WBE’s ambassador and NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss; Bill Dance, a renowned angler; and two-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Gerald Swindle.
For more information on World Bass Enterprises, visit the website.