New solo format, bigger payouts and expanded championship opportunities highlight 2027 program, registration opens October 21

BENTON, Ky. (Sept. 16, 2026) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today the program details for the 2027 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats, delivering a new competitive model built around individual competition, bigger rewards and greater flexibility for anglers.

The 2027 Toyota Series will feature a new solo format, putting anglers in complete control while pursuing some of the most lucrative payouts in bass fishing. The circuit gives competitors the freedom to qualify for the Toyota Series Championship with or without forward-facing and 360-degree sonar technology and boasts an increased payout scale, with a top award of up to $102,500, including the $35,000 Phoenix MLF bonus at 150 boats, scaling up to $110,000, including the Phoenix MLF bonus at 225 boats, and a guaranteed $56,000 first-place payout, regardless of field size or Phoenix MLF Bonus.

In a change to the schedule originally announced July 29 that included five divisions, each with three tournaments, the 2027 Toyota Series will now consist of four geographic divisions, each featuring four three-day tournaments – two with unrestricted forward-facing/360-degree sonar (FFS/360) and two without. The change gives anglers an extra tournament and allows them to fish a full geographic division to qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship or qualify through the new Wild Card division by competing in any combination of four or more tournaments across two or more geographic divisions.

For Wild Card qualification, only an angler’s four best tournament finishes will count, allowing competitors to build a schedule around their strengths rather than compromise their preferred style of fishing. Anglers now have the flexibility of fishing only FFS/360 tournaments, only non-FFS/360 tournaments or any combination in between in their quest to qualify for the Toyota Series Championship.

“These changes represent one of the biggest evolutions in Toyota Series history,” said Major League Fishing co-founder and CEO Boyd Duckett. “We didn’t want to simply increase payouts or tweak the format – we wanted to rethink what this circuit could be.

“Over the past several years, we’ve listened closely to what our anglers value most. They wanted more flexibility, more opportunity and more certainty that their investment would be rewarded. The 2027 Toyota Series reflects that feedback by creating a circuit that offers meaningful earning potential, multiple ways to qualify and a clearer path to the highest levels of professional bass fishing.”

Overall, the 2027 Toyota Series will return more than 88% of total entry fees based on an average 150-boat field, with total payouts climbing to 101% when Phoenix MLF Bonuses are included. In addition, 20% of the field is guaranteed to cash a check of at least $3,000 in every tournament.

Four $8,000 Angler of the Year (AOY) titles will be awarded in each geographic division based on total points and anglers must fish all four tournaments in a division to be eligible for AOY.

Tournament winners who fish four or more tournaments, and the top 25 pros from each geographic division and the Wild Card division, qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship and the opportunity to win up to $235,000. The highest-finishing angler from each geographic division and the Wild Card Division at the Toyota Series Championship will qualify for REDCREST – MLF’s most prestigious championship – where they will compete against the sport’s top professionals for a $300,000 top prize.

Registration for the 2027 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats will open October 21. Phoenix boat owners with a current registration or confirmed boat order who will compete from their Phoenix boat will receive an early-entry window beginning October 19. Anglers who enter all four tournaments in a division by the first balance deadline for the division will receive priority. Anglers who miss out on the field of 225 boats in each division will be placed on a waiting list.

Enter at MajorLeagueFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000. The complete 2027 Toyota Series schedule, rules and payouts are available at MajorLeagueFishing.com .

The 2027 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats features:

• New Solo Format
• $102,500 1st Place, including $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus, @150 Boats
• $56,000 1st Place, guaranteed, regardless of Field Size or Contingency Bonus
• 4 Geographic Divisions + Wild Card Division | 4 Tournaments Per Division
• Each Division = 2 Events With FFS/360-Sonar & 2 Events Without
• Wild Card Division = Fish Your Strengths & Qualify for Toyota Series Championship
• $235,000 1st Place NO-ENTRY-FEE Toyota Series Championship (includes $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus)
• REDCREST Advancement for Highest Division Winners at Toyota Series Championship
• 88% Total Season Payout @150 Boats | 101% Including Phoenix MLF Bonuses

4 Geographic Divisions + 1 Wild Card Division: Solo Format:

• 4 three-day qualifying tournaments per geographic division
  • Unrestricted FFS/360 in 2 tournaments
  • No FFS/360 in 2 tournaments
• Tournament winners, who fish 4 or more tournaments, and the top 25 pros from each geographic division qualify for the NO-ENTRY-FEE Toyota Series Championship
• Wild Card Division: Fish any four or more FFS/360 and/or non-FFS/360 tournaments, in any combination of two or more geographic divisions, for the chance to qualify for the NO-ENTRY-FEE Toyota Series Championship based on your strengths. Only 4 best tournaments will be counted.
  • The top 25 pros from the Wild Card Division qualify for the Toyota Series Championship

16 3-Day Qualifying Tournaments: 4 Per Division | 4 Divisions:

• $102,500 top award, including $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus, based on a 150-boat field, scaling up to $110,000 at a maximum field of 225 boats
  • Fish solo
  • $56,000 guaranteed 1st-place award regardless of field size or bonuses
  • Includes Phoenix 818 Pro powered by a 150 HP outboard, cash & Phoenix MLF Bonus
• 20 percent of the field wins at least $3,000, guaranteed
• Winning pro from each tournament, who fishes 4 or more tournaments, advances to Toyota Series Championship
• Winners determined by heaviest three-day catch – 5 bass limit
• Full field days 1-2, top 20% day 3
• Every pro receives points
• Live weigh-in coverage
• Entry fee: $2,000

1 3-Day, NO-ENTRY-FEE Toyota Series Championships:

• $235,000 top award, including $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus
• $40,000 second-place award
• $30,000 third-place award
• Highest finisher from each geographic division and the Wild Card division advance to REDCREST to compete for $300,000
• 20 percent of field wins at least $3,000
• Tournament winners, who fish 4 or more tournaments, and top 25 pros from each geographic division and Wild Card division qualify
• Winners determined by heaviest three-day catch – 5 bass per day limit
• Full field days 1-2, top 40 pros day 3
• FFS/360 day 1, No FFS/360 day 2, Coin flip determines FFS/360 day 3
• Live weigh-in coverage
• No entry fee

4 Angler of the Year Awards:

• $8,000 Angler of the Year award in each geographic division based on total points
  • Must fish all 4 tournaments in a division to be eligible

Your Pathway to the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and Bass Pro Tour:

• Tournament winners, who fish 4 or more tournaments, and the top 25 pros, based on total points, from each of the four geographic divisions and the Wild Card division earn priority entry into the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit.

Qualifying Events – 225 Boat Field:
Place                                            Pro/Boater
1                                                   $110,000 * + Toyota Series Championship
2                                                       20,000
3                                                       15,000
4                                                       14,000
5                                                       13,000
6                                                       12,000
7                                                       11,500
8                                                       11,000
9                                                       10,500
10                                                     10,000
11                                                       6,000
12                                                       5,000
13                                                       4,900
14                                                       4,800
15                                                       4,700
16                                                       4,600
17                                                       4,500
18                                                       4,400
19                                                       4,300
20                                                       4,200
21                                                       4,100
22                                                       4,000
23                                                       3,900
24                                                       3,800
25                                                       3,700
26-35                                                  3,500
36-45                                                  3,000
Berkley Big Bass 1                              500
Berkley Big Bass 2                              500                           
Total                                            $359,900
                                                            
Entry Fee                                        $2,000

* Includes $46,295 Phoenix 818 Pro powered by a 150 HP outboard, $28,705 cash & $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus

Payback scales, based on the number of anglers fishing, to maintain awards to 20% of the field.
$56,000 1^st-place guaranteed regardless of field size or bonuses

Qualifying Events – 150 Boat Field:
Place                                            Pro/Boater
1                                                   $102,500 * + Toyota Series Championship
2                                                       15,500
3                                                       12,000
4                                                       11,500
5                                                       11,000
6                                                       10,000
7                                                         9,800
8                                                         9,400
9                                                         9,100
10                                                       8,700
11-20                                                  3,500
21-30                                                  3,000
Berkley Big Bass 1                               500
Berkley Big Bass 2                               500                          
Total                                             $265,500
                                                            
Entry Fee                                         $2,000

* Includes $46,295 Phoenix 818 Pro powered by a 150 HP outboard, $21,205 cash & $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus

Payback scales, based on the number of anglers fishing, to maintain awards to 20% of the field.
$56,000 1^st-place guaranteed regardless of field size or bonuses

2027 Toyota Series Championship:
Place                                            Pro/Boater
1                                                   $235,000*
2                                                       40,000                                                      
3                                                       30,000                                                      
4                                                       25,000                                                      
5                                                       20,000                                                      
6                                                       14,000                                                      
7                                                       13,000                                                      
8                                                       12,000                                                      
9                                                       11,000                                                      
10                                                      10,000                                                      
11-15                                              4,500                                                      
16-20                                              4,000                                                      
21-30                                              3,500                                                      
31-40                                              3,000                                                      
Central Bonus                              REDCREST ADVANCEMENT
Northern Bonus                           REDCREST ADVANCEMENT
Southern Bonus                           REDCREST ADVANCEMENT
Southwestern Bonus                   REDCREST ADVANCEMENT
Wild Card Bonus                        REDCREST ADVANCEMENT
International Bonus                    REDCREST ADVANCEMENT
Total                                             $519,500

Entry Fee                                      None

* Includes $200,000 cash & $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus

2027 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Schedule:

Central Division
Feb. 25-27 (FFS/360)                                   Lake Guntersville                    Scottsboro, Ala.
Ramp/Marina: Goose Pond Colony Marina
Hosted by Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce

April 1-3 (FFS/360)                                     Kentucky-Barkley Lake          Buchanan, Tenn.
Ramp/Marina: Paris Landing State Park
Hosted by Henry County Tourism Authority                       

April 22-24 (No FFS/360)                           Pickwick Lake                           Florence, Ala.
Ramp/Marina: McFarland Park
Hosted by Visit the Shoals

Sept. 16-18 (No FFS/360)                            Lake Guntersville                     Guntersville, Ala.
Ramp/Marina: Lake Guntersville State Park Boat Ramp
Hosted by Marshall County Tourism & Sports

Northern Division
June 24-26 (No FFS/360)                            Potomac River                           Marbury, Md.
Ramp/Marina: Smallwood State Park
Hosted by the Charles County Government, Dept. of Recreation, Parks, and                                                                            Tourism

July 29-31 (FFS/360)                                   Lake Champlain                        Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Ramp/Marina: Plattsburgh City Marina
Hosted by the City of Plattsburgh & Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau

Aug. 18-20** (No FFS/360)                        St. Lawrence River                    Massena, N.Y.
Ramp/Marina: Massena Intake Boat Launch
Hosted by the Town of Massena

Sept. 16-18 (FFS/360)                                 Lake Erie                                      Marblehead, Ohio
Ramp/Marina: Dempsey Boat Launch
Hosted by Shores & Islands Ohio

Southeastern Division
Feb. 11-13 (No FFS/360)                            Lake Okeechobee                         Clewiston, Fla.
Ramp/Marina: Roland & Mary Ann Martin’s Marina and Resort
Hosted by the Hendry County Tourism Development Council

March 23-25*  (FFS/360)                          Harris Chain of Lakes                  Leesburg, Fla.
Ramp/Marina: Ski Beach at Venetian Gardens
Hosted by Discover Lake County Florida

April 29 – May 1 (No FFS/360)                Lake Eufaula                                  Eufaula, Ala.
Ramp/Marina: Lakepoint Resort State Park
Hosted by the Eufaula Barbour County Chamber of Commerce

Sept. 23-25 (FFS/360)                                Lake Murray                                Columbia, S.C.
Ramp/Marina: Dreher Island State Park
Hosted by Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism

Southwestern Division
March 16-18* (FFS/360)                           Grand Lake                                  Grove, Okla.
Ramp/Marina: Wolf Creek Park & Expo Center
                                                                       Hosted by the City of Grove & Grove Convention and Tourism Bureau

April 13-15* (No FFS/360)                        Beaver Lake                                 Rogers, Ark.
Ramp/Marina: Prairie Creek Recreation Area
Hosted by Destination Rogers

May 12-14** (No FFS/360)                       Lake Ray Roberts                        Denton, Texas
Ramp/Marina: Lake Ray Roberts Marina
Hosted by Discover Denton, TX

June 17-19 (FFS/360)                                Lake Dardanelle                           Russellville, Ark.
Ramp/Marina: Lake Dardanelle State Park
Hosted by Russellville Tourism & Visitors Center

Toyota Series Championship
Nov. 11-13                                                  Dale Hollow Lake                       Byrdstown, Tenn.
Day 1 – No FFS/360                                      .Ramp/Marina: Sunset Marina & Resort
Day 2 – FFS/360                                            Hosted by the Byrdstown-Pickett County Chamber of Commerce and
Day 3 – Coin Toss for FFS/360                      Bill Dance Signature Lakes

* denotes Tuesday-Thursday event
** denotes Wednesday-Friday event

Proud sponsors of the MLF Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats include: 7 Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Buffalo, BUBBA, Cigars International, Epic Baits, Grizzly Nicotine Pouches, Mercury, MillerTech, OFF! Deep Woods, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PirahnO2, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, VOSKER, YETI and Yuengling.

For complete details and updated information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets on  Facebook,  Instagram and YouTube.

About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV, Game & Fish TV and Rumble, and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.