BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Following a successful debut that delivered compelling competition and strong fan engagement, B.A.S.S. announced today that the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series will continue using the same forward-facing live sonar structure introduced in 2026.
The 2027 season will again feature a split between tournaments in which live sonar is permitted and tournaments where live sonar is not allowed. A coin flip will determine the technology designation for each tournament on the 2027 schedule. The results will be revealed live during the Bassmaster Coin Flip Show on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. CT.
In additional news, for the first time ever, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic will also be included in the Coin Flip Show. The 2027 Classic field will be the first composed primarily of anglers who qualified under the 50/50 technology rule, making it a natural extension to apply the same format to the World Championship of Bass Fishing. One coin flip will determine the live-sonar rules for the next two Classics: If the 2027 Classic is designated a non-live-sonar event, the 2028 Classic will allow live sonar, and vice versa. This ensures consecutive Classics will showcase both styles of competition.
“The first season of the 50/50 format showed us that great competition is not defined by a particular style of fishing,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “Our anglers were challenged to demonstrate their versatility, and our fans embraced the opportunity to watch and learn from both forms of competition. Continuing the format in 2027 allows us to celebrate innovation while preserving the broad range of skills that has always defined the Bassmaster Elite Series. With the success of this structure in the Elites and because it is how our 2027 Classic contenders qualified, it was a natural fit to continue the framework and allow a coin flip to determine the format for the 2027 Classic.”
The 2026 season produced record-setting audience engagement and demonstrated the appeal of both sides of the format. Lake Guntersville, where live sonar was not permitted, was the most-viewed Elite event of the regular season, generating more than 21 million minutes viewed across B.A.S.S. digital platforms. The season finale at the St. Lawrence River, where live sonar was permitted, ranked second with more than 20 million minutes viewed.
The two events could hardly have been more different in setting, species and strategy, but fans responded enthusiastically to both. Guntersville highlighted traditional decision-making, shallow-water instincts and the ability to adapt as conditions changed. The St. Lawrence showcased the precision, boat control and interpretation of electronics utilized to locate and catch roaming smallmouth.
Together, the results reinforced the purpose of the 50/50 format: to test the complete skill set of the world’s best bass anglers while giving fans access to a wider variety of strategies and educational content.
“Fans loved both tournaments and learned from both events,” Anderson said. “That is exactly what we hoped this structure would accomplish. It created different challenges for our anglers without diminishing the excitement of the competition.”
The 2027 schedule is positioned to deliver an equally diverse test. From the vegetation and heavyweight largemouth of Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes to the current-driven fisheries of the Sabine and Mississippi rivers, the season will challenge anglers across dramatically different environments. Stops at Lake Fork, Lake Seminole, Santee Cooper Lakes and the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway will add more opportunities for traditional and technology-driven approaches, while Lake St. Clair will provide a late-season smallmouth test.
Regardless of which events fall on either side of the format, the 2027 Elite Series will once again reward adaptability, decision-making and execution while giving fans two distinct ways to experience — and learn from — the highest level of professional bass fishing.
Be sure to tune in to the live Coin Flip Show on Bassmaster.com, 10 am CT on Oct. 6.
