The 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic® presented by Toyota returns to the Tennessee River March 24 – 26, 2023!
The prestigious championship bass tournament — widely known as the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing” — will be held in downtown Knoxville and on the University of Tennessee Campus. The Bassmaster Classic pits 55 of the world’s best bass anglers against one another for the title of Bassmaster Classic Champion.
All activities and venues are free and open to the public! For more information, visit Bassmaster.com.
Kickoff Party Presented by TNT Fireworks Time(s): 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM Location: Knoxville Convention Center Plaza Terrace (701 Henley St – outside terrace in between Clinch Ave. & Cumberland Ave.) Description: Be there as we kick off the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic®’s return to the Tennessee River! This FREE and family friendly event is open to the public and will celebrate the start of the most exciting event in bass fishing! Enjoy live music from Smooth Sailor, snacks and local food trucks (including CJ’s Tacos, Burgerritos, Clean Smoke BBQ, and Knox Dough), a beer garden, family-friendly vendors and more! You won’t want to miss the night’s exciting grand finale of fireworks (presented by TNT Fireworks), beginning around 8:00 PM, followed by Knoxville’s first ever drone show, which will take over the night sky at 8:15 PM!
Expo Time(s): 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Location: Knoxville Convention Center (701 Henley St) and the adjacent World’s Fair Exhibition Hall (935 World's Fair Park Drive)
Click HERE for additional Expo details!
Sunday, March 26
Take Off Time(s): 7:30 AM Location: Volunteer Landing (300 Neyland Drive)
Expo Time(s): 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Location: Knoxville Convention Center (701 Henley St) and the adjacent World’s Fair Exhibition Hall (935 World's Fair Park Drive)
Click HERE for additional Expo details!
Address: 1600 Phillip Fulmer Way
Event: Daily Weigh Ins
Venue Policies:
Bag Policy: There is a CLEAR BAG POLICY in place for this venue. Thompson-Boling Arena operates with a clear bag policy and stadium security regulations limit patrons to one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon, clear, resealable plastic storage bag per person. Fans will also be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Wallets must also conform to this size requirement. No other bags will be allowed inside. All items, including clear bags and clutch purses, are subject to search at the gates. No items can be left or stored at the gates. Medically necessary items must be searched. Diaper bags are not a medically necessary item. All diaper bag supplies should be carried in a clear bag.
Safety & Security: Weapons of any kind are not permitted. Prohibited items (including pocket knives or bladed devices) WILL be confiscated. The arena will not hold these items to be picked up at a later time - they will be discarded.
Food & Beverages: Outside food & beverages are not permitted (unless needed for medical purposes - must be checked at Gate D). Concessions will be available.
Additional Policies: Click HERE to read all venue policies.
Knoxville Convention Center & the World’s Fair Exhibition Hall
Address: 701 Henley St & 935 World's Fair Park Drive
Event: Expo, Kickoff Party
Venue Policies:
Bag Policy: Backpacks, coolers of any size, oversized bags, duffel bags, luggage, or other bags should be no larger than 16”-by-16”- by-8” inches.
Payment Method: CARD ONLY - cash is not accepted.
Safety & Security: Weapons of any kind, including pocket knives, are not permitted.
Food & Beverages: Outside food & beverages are not permitted. Concessions will be available.
Additional Policies: Click HERE to read all venue policies.
Volunteer Landing
Address: 300 Neyland Drive
Event: Take Offs
Venue Policies:
Venue Policies: No alcoholic beverages, no firearms or other weapons, no motorized vehicles. All animals must be maintained on a leash.
G-10 Parking Garage - Opens at 7:00 AM Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
S-7 Parking Lot – Opens at 4:00 PM on Friday and 7:00 AM on Saturday/Sunday
Other UT Event Parking Lots (listed in blue on the above map) open on Friday at 4:00 PM and Saturday/Sunday at 10:00 AM
11th Street Parking Garage (corner of Cumberland Ave & 11th Street) – Opens at 7:00 AM on Saturday/Sunday ONLY. NO event parking on Friday.
Accessible Parking: There are designated parking spaces on the top level of the G10 parking garage. From there, guests can use the attached pedestrian bridge to enter the arena.
RATES: All UT Parking lots are $20 CASH ONLY (no in & out privileges), with the exception of the 11th Street Parking Garage, which will offer free parking on Saturday and Sunday only.
Downtown Knoxville Parking:
Public Parking Garages: Locust Street, Market Square, State Street, Langley, and Main Street Garages – Open daily
Accessible Parking: There is a small amount of accessible parking along the Knoxville Convention Center cut-outs on Henley Street and Cumberland Ave. Accessible parking will have signage. The Locust Street Garage also has elevators and guests can take the Pedestrian Sky Bridge across to the Convention Center (there is an elevator at the end of the Sky Bridge).
RATES: The listed Downtown Knoxville Public Garages are $1/hour on weekdays until 6:00 PM, and FREE on week nights and weekends, with the exception of the Langley Garage, which is $3 for the first 30 minutes and $2 for each additional 30 minutes (free on week nights and weekends).
Shuttles
FREE shuttles will be available daily from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Shuttles will run on a continuous loop throughout these hours between the Weigh Ins and the Expo.
Pick Up & Drop Off Locations (see the above UT Parking Map):
Weigh Ins: University of Tennessee/Thompson Boling Arena – Located in front of Arena Dining on Phillip Fulmer Way
Expo: Knoxville Convention Center/World’s Fair Exhibition Hall – Located in between the two venues at the base of the Sunsphere (It’s big gold ball in the sky – you can’t miss it!)
The Sunsphere Observation Deck
Knoxville’s iconic Sunsphere is located outside the Knoxville Convention Center and will be open during the Bassmaster Classic Expo hours The 4th Floor Observation Deck offers a breathtaking 360-degree view stretching from downtown to the Great Smoky Mountains. Reservations are Required. Click here for additional details and tickets!
Bassmaster Classic Sunsphere Hour(s):
Thursday, March 23: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: March 24: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Experience Knoxville Savings Pass
Experience Knoxville like a local! In partnership with our local attractions, shops and restaurants, the Visit Knoxville Sports Commission has secured local deals for Bassmaster Classic attendees! Click here to download the FREE Visit Knoxville Savings Pass!
