Fish Hard Events announced the return of the 6th Annual Jimmy Johnson’s Atlantic City “Quest for the Ring” Championship Fishing Week (JJFISHWEEKAC), hosted in partnership with Visit Atlantic City and the Atlantic City Sports Commission, and presented by Yamaha Outboards and Contender Boats.
The Northeast installment of Coach Johnson’s acclaimed tournament series returns July 12–18, 2026, hosted at the Frank S. Farley State Marina at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City, with an additional weigh station available at Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland, bringing seven days of world-class sportfishing, elevated hospitality, and a prize structure designed for anglers across the northeast region.
Led by Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Jimmy Johnson and the seasoned team at Fish Hard Events, JJFISHWEEKAC continues to rank among the most anticipated competitive sportfishing events on the East Coast, drawing elite teams to chase championship titles, big-money payouts, and a one-of-a-kind tournament experience that is over the top night hospitality to make an unforgettable week.
“I’ve been involved with many fishing tournaments over the years, but this is not your typical fishing tournament – it is an experience,” said Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Jimmy Johnson. “We’ve seen record-breaking purses, extraordinary performances, and growing community impact year after year. These events have evolved into multi-day celebrations that lift communities, support local nonprofits, and create memories that last long after the boats return to the dock. I can’t wait to see what 2026 brings.”
Tournament format and competition
Building on a strong 2025 tournament that drew more than 60 elite teams and awarded over $1 million in payouts, JJFISHWEEKAC continues to offer a flexible yet highly competitive format designed around strategy, conditions, and angler choice:
• Seven days of events and sponsor activations
• Fish three out of five eligible fishing days
• Depart from your dock of choice
• Two weigh stations to help you end your day conveniently: Frank S. Farley State Marina at Golden Nugget Atlantic City and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland
The 2026 tournament will continue to offer a robust range of categories and optional calcuttas — including payouts for white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, dolphin, small boat divisions, non-sonar divisions, inlet challenges and JJ’S DAILY MVP Game Ball Calcutta for all species you won’t want to miss — ensuring competitive opportunities for every team and every preferred targeting strategy.
Hospitality and entertainment
Teams will enjoy dual-city hospitality throughout the week, with Atlantic City serving as the tournament’s central hub, hosting the Nutrl Kickoff Party, additionally hosted by Tanger Outlets and Goodr Sunglasses, nightly hospitality suite dinners, daily spectator sponsored weigh station activations from 5 – 9 p.m., hosted by leading beverage partners to include Hendrick’s Gin, Michelob Ultra and Tito’s Vodka, and additional promotional programming featuring Jersey Cape Yachts, New Jersey Lottery and Johnson & Towers, the fan-favorite, the participants private Ultimate Gifting Experience, hosted by Hard RockAtlantic City, where captains and anglers receive premium swag from tournament partners including apparel, performance gear, sunglasses, footwear and more.
The week concludes with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City Closing Awards Bash, a signature celebration featuring live entertainment, open bars, culinary experiences, and the crowning of the newest inductee into Coach Johnson’s legendary Ring of Honor. This year’s theme: 007 BOND!
Community impact
Community impact remains a core pillar of JJFISHWEEKAC. In 2025, the tournament’s Catch for the Community program provided thousands of pounds of fresh fish to partners including the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City who support the feeding community in need throughout the Atlantic City area, presented by Greentree Mortgage, while more than $100,000 was raised for nonprofit beneficiaries at the Closing Awards Bash. The team at Fish Hard Events annually participates in a community program while in town with the chefs from Hard Rock Atlantic City and Visit Atlantic City to learn some new culinary skills from the best. This tradition of charitable giving and community engagement will continue to grow heading into 2026.
Sponsors and partners
Jimmy Johnson’s Atlantic City ‘Quest for the Ring’ Championship Fishing Week is brought to you in partnership with Visit Atlantic City and the Atlantic City Sports Commission, hosted by Contender Boats, powered by Yamaha Outboards, and additionally hosted by Golden Nugget Atlantic City and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
For more information, visit https://questfortheringac.com/ or https://jjfishweek.catchstat.com.
