Six Days of World-Class Sportfishing, Over $1 Million in Prizes,
and the ultimate in Tournament Hospitality Return to Atlantic City, July 12–18, 2026
2025 Photos & Videos: Download HERE
Atlantic City, NJ, June 22, 2026 – Fish Hard Events announces 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 & 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 3 out of 5 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 & 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 5PM-9PM, 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 Rock Atlantic 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 of new culinary skills from the best This tradition of charitable giving and community engagement will continue to grow heading into 2026.
SPONSORS & 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. Follow along on social media: @fishhardevents | @jjfishweekac
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jessica Kasunich, Visit Atlantic City
P: 609-515-0210, E: jessicak@visitatlanticcity.com
Valerie Roy, Fish Hard Events
P: (786) 683-6397, E: valerie@ci-mgt.com
Cindi Perantoni Rodgers, Perantoni Public Relations
P: (305) 962-9206, E: cindi@perantonipr.com
About FISH HARD EVENTS
Fish Hard Events annually hosts a series of fishing tournaments throughout the year with Coach Jimmy Johnson. The Atlantic City installment – Jimmy Johnson’s Atlantic City “Quest for the Ring” Championship Fishing Week (JJFISHWEEKAC) – takes place each July in Atlantic City, NJ, attracting elite teams from across the East Coast to compete for an estimated $2 million-plus in prizes. More information can be found at www.fishhardevents.com or on social @fishhardevents | @jjfishweekac.
About Visit Atlantic City
Visit Atlantic City is a 501(c)(6) organization formed and funded as a public-private partnership by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to create economic development through leisure tourism, conventions, sporting events, film production and group tourism.
Atlantic City is a premier travel destination on the East Coast with the first Boardwalk to open in the United States. Attracting visitors with its diverse array of tourism offerings, Atlantic City is home to nine casino resorts, an eclectic culinary scene, vibrant history, thrilling entertainment and family-friendly adventures, making it the ultimate destination where celebrations live on and inspire visitors to create memory making moments.
For complete Atlantic City tourism and convention information, visit www.visitatlanticcity.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About the Atlantic City Sports Commission
The Atlantic City Sports Commission was officially formed on January 13, 2015 with the support of Visit Atlantic City and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to attract sporting events, conventions and competitions to Atlantic City.
For more information, visit www.atlanticcitysports.org. Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
