International Sport Fishing Tournaments 2026: dates, venues and travel guide
International sport fishing tournaments in 2026 will take place in Norway, Australia, Mexico and the USA. Key events include: the Cairns Black Marlin Tournament, the Bisbee’s series in Cabo San Lucas, the Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot, the International Marlin & Tuna Tournament and the Exmouth Heavy Tackle Tournament.
For participants and international teams, a trip like this requires more than just a flight ticket. It is important to plan in advance the flight, accommodation near the marina or the competition venue, transfers, the transport of bulky sports equipment and any possible changes to the itinerary.
Below is the calendar of international sport fishing tournaments for 2026 and a practical travel guide for participants, teams, organisers and sports groups.
Calendar of international sport fishing tournaments for the second half of 2026
| Tournament | Dates in 2026 | Location | Main specialism |
| NM Jærfestivalen | 4–5 September | Jegersund, Norway | Sea fishing |
| Cairns Black Marlin Tournament | 21–26 September | Cairns, Australia | Black Marlin |
| Los Cabos Billfish Tournament | 7–11 October | Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | Billfish, Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna |
| Haines Silver Salmon Derby | 11–31 October | Haynes, Alaska, USA | Coho Salmon |
| Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore | 12–17 October | Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | Offshore Fishing |
| Bisbee’s Black & Blue | 19–24 October | Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | Marlin |
| Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot | 5–7 November | Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | Yellowfin Tuna |
| Playa Los Muertos Fishing Tournament | 6–7 November | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | Mahi-Mahi |
| International Marlin & Tuna Tournament | 11–14 November | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | Marlin & Tuna |
| Orsan Fishing Tournament | 21–22 November | Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | Team fishing |
| Exmouth Heavy Tackle Tournament | 9–13 December | Exmouth, Australia | Marlin & Tuna |
The dates and programme of international competitions are subject to change by the organisers, so it is advisable to check the latest information on the official website of the relevant tournament before booking your trip.
1. NM Jærfestivalen 2026, Jægersund, Norway
Date: 4–5 September 2026.
Venue: Jægersund, Norway.
The NM Jærfestivalen is a national sea fishing competition organised by the Norgeshavfiskeforbund.
The tournament may be of interest to professional anglers, sea fishing ambassadors and European teams.
- Official source: norgeshavfiskeforbund.no
2. Cairns Black Marlin Tournament 2026, Cairns, Australia
Date: 21–26 September 2026.
Venue: Cairns, Australia, in the Great Barrier Reef region.
Main specialism: Black Marlin and trophy ocean fishing.
The 60th anniversary tournament. In 2026, the tournament will, as usual, be aimed at experienced anglers, international sports teams and participants who specialise in catching black marlin.
- Official source: cpgfa.asn.au
3. Los Cabos Billfish Tournament 2026, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Date: 7–11 October 2026.
Venue: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Main specialism: Billfish, marlin, sailfish and tuna.
The tournament is one of the major sporting fishing events in the Cabo San Lucas region and may be of interest to professional teams, anglers and sponsors.
- Official source: marlinmag.com/tournaments/los-cabos-billfish-tournament
4. Haines Silver Salmon Derby 2026, Haines, Alaska
Date: 11–31 October 2026.
Venue: Haines, Alaska, USA.
Main specialism: Coho salmon, or silver salmon.
The extended format of the competition includes regular weigh-ins and prize-winning activities. The tournament appeals to sport anglers from the US and Canada, as well as international participants planning to fish in cold waters.
- Official source: visithaines.com
5. Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore 2026, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Date: 12–17 October 2026.
Venue: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Main specialism: offshore fishing and trophy fishing.
Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore is a key event in the Cabo San Lucas fishing competition calendar and forms part of the Bisbee’s series.
- Official source: bisbees.com
6. Bisbee’s Black & Blue 2026, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Date: 19–24 October 2026.
Venue: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Main specialism: marlin and big-game ocean fishing.
Bisbee’s Black & Blue is one of the most famous events on the international sport fishing calendar, with a prize fund of over 11 million Mexican pesos.
- Official source: bisbees.com
7. Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot 2026, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Date: 5–7 November 2026.
Venue: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Main specialism: Yellowfin tuna.
The Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot is a major international tuna fishing tournament that attracts teams and participants from various countries.
- Official source: loscabostunajackpot.com
8. Playa Los Muertos Fishing Tournament 2026, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Date: 6–7 November 2026.
Venue: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Main specialism: Mahi-Mahi and sport fishing.
The tournament has a long history and combines sporting activities with charitable initiatives (part of the catch is donated to charitable organisations).
- Official source: visitpuertovallarta.com/events/torneo-pesca-playa-los-muertos-2026
9. 2026 International Marlin & Tuna Tournament, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Date: 11–14 November 2026.
Venue: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Main specialism: Marlin and Tuna.
In 2026, the tournament will mark its 70th anniversary and bring together international fishing crews, sponsors and other participants.
- Official source: fishvallarta.com
10. Orsan Fishing Tournament 2026, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Date: 21–22 November 2026.
Venue: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Main specialism: team sport fishing.
The tournament format is suitable for small crews; a team can consist of up to four anglers.
- Official source: catchstat.com
11. Exmouth Heavy Tackle Tournament 2026, Western Australia
Date: 9–13 December 2026.
Venue: Exmouth, Western Australia.
Main specialism: Heavy Tackle, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Striped Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna.
The competition takes place during the big-game fishing season in Exmouth and may be of interest to international sports teams and anglers who specialise in big fish.
- Official source: igfa.org/tournament-relations/
How to organise a trip to an international fishing tournament
Travelling to an international fishing tournament has its own particular challenges. This is especially true when team members are flying in from different countries, bringing large amounts of equipment with them, and the competition venue is a long way from the international airport.
We therefore recommend that you take at least five things into account when planning.
1. Flights for the team
If participants are travelling from different countries, it is advisable to coordinate everyone’s itineraries so that the team arrives at the venue on the same day, taking care to allow for different time zones.
2. A hotel near the marina or the tournament venue
During major tournaments, hotels, villas and apartments near the marinas can fill up quickly. When looking for alternatives, we recommend taking into account not only the cost of accommodation, but also the distance to the start line and the logistics of transporting your equipment.
3. Transport of fishing equipment
Fishing rods, reels, specialised cases and other sports equipment may either have non-standard dimensions or be subject to airlines’ specific requirements for carriage.
Before booking, it is worth checking the specific carrier’s rules, the baggage allowance and whether bulky equipment can be carried, as well as the conditions for checking it in.
4. Transfers and local logistics
The international airport may be a considerable distance from the marina or the hotel. We therefore advise teams to arrange a transfer in advance or hire a car.
- Plan B in case of changes
Weather conditions, flight delays, flight cancellations or changes to the tournament schedule may affect the entire itinerary.
It is therefore advisable to plan an international sports trip not only according to the main scenario, but also to allow for the possibility of making changes or rebooking.
How FlyPoint helps organise trips to sports tournaments
FlyPoint organises travel logistics for international sports teams, participants and organisers.
Depending on the type of trip, we can organise:
– flights for participants from different countries;
– group ticket bookings;
– hotels near the tournament venue or marinas;
– airport transfers;
– the logistics of large-scale sports equipment;
– changes to and rebooking of routes;
– coordinating the trip for the whole team;
– support whilst travelling in the event of changes or force majeure.
For the organiser, this means you don’t need to coordinate travel arrangements separately for each participant.
If your team is taking part in an international tournament and you need to organise flights, accommodation and ground transport, FlyPoint can take care of this part of the trip for you.
FAQ: International Sport Fishing Tournaments 2026
What are the biggest international sport fishing tournaments taking place in the second half of 2026?
Key international events in the second half of 2026: the Cairns Black Marlin Tournament in Australia, Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore and Bisbee’s Black & Blue in Mexico, the Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot, the International Marlin & Tuna Tournament and the Exmouth Heavy Tackle Tournament.
Which sport fishing tournaments will take place in Mexico in 2026?
Cabo San Lucas will host the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament, Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore, Bisbee’s Black & Blue, the Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot and the Orsan Fishing Tournament. Puerto Vallarta will host the Playa Los Muertos Fishing Tournament and the International Marlin & Tuna Tournament.
Which international fishing tournaments will take place in Australia in 2026?
In September 2026, the Cairns Black Marlin Tournament will take place in Cairns. In December, the Exmouth Heavy Tackle Tournament will take place in Exmouth.
How do you organise a flight for a fishing team?
If team members are flying in from different countries, it is advisable to first agree on a common point of arrival and the time by which the team must arrive at the venue. After that, you can coordinate flight itineraries, transfers and hotel arrangements, and make arrangements with the airlines for the transport of sports equipment.
How do you transport fishing tackle by plane?
The rules vary depending on the airline, route and type of equipment. Before booking, it is advisable to check the permitted dimensions, weight and rules for transporting sports equipment with each individual carrier for each participant.
What do you need to book before an international fishing tournament?
The team should arrange in advance flights, accommodation, transfers, transport of sports equipment, travel insurance (with extended cover for active tourism) and a contingency plan in the event of flight cancellations or changes to the tournament schedule.
Who can organise travel arrangements for a sports team?
FlyPoint’s experts have over 22 years’ combined experience in organising and coordinating international flights for sports teams from various countries, as well as in selecting and booking the most suitable accommodation for groups, transfers, arranging the transport of bulky sports equipment and making changes to itineraries where necessary.
Which international fishing tournament should I choose?
- For marlin fishing: the Cairns Black Marlin Tournament, Bisbee’s Black & Blue, and the Exmouth Heavy Tackle Tournament.
- For tuna fishing: Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot, International Marlin & Tuna Tournament.
- For a team trip to Mexico: the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament, Bisbee’s, and the Orsan Fishing Tournament.
- For an autumn trip to Australia: the Cairns Black Marlin Tournament or the Exmouth Heavy Tackle Tournament.
- For a trip featuring several tournaments: Cabo San Lucas in October–November.
