Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  The Blue Marlin Grand Championship is back, and the Alabama Gulf Coast is ready. The annual tournament, held at The Wharf Marina, attracts elite sportfishing crews from across the Gulf and beyond. Public weigh-ins are free, making it one of the region's most accessible major fishing events. Thousands of spectators are expected to line the docks when the scales open.

The 2026 tournament runs July 14–19 at The Wharf Marina, 4673 Wharf Parkway, Orange Beach. Fishing days are July 16–18, with the fleet departing through Perdido Pass each morning. The shotgun start begins at 10 a.m., and Alabama Point and the Perdido Pass Seawall offer good public viewing for the boat parade.

Since its debut in 2012, the BMGC has become the Gulf Coast's largest big-game fishing tournament. In 2025, a record crowd of 15,770 spectators gathered for the Saturday night weigh-in, where 66 elite teams competed for a $1.8 million purse. The winning boat, Grocery Isle, weighed in a 746.2-pound blue marlin. Angler Donny Rouse took home $405,977.80 in prize money.

The BMGC also serves as the final leg of the Gulf Coast Triple Crown. Teams that have competed throughout the series all summer arrive in Orange Beach knowing the championship will be decided here. A team must compete in the BMGC to be eligible for the Triple Crown title, adding another layer of pressure to an already high-stakes event.

Competition categories include blue marlin (weighed), catch-and-release, tuna, dolphin, and Wahoo. The release division lets crews accumulate points without bringing a fish to the dock — meaning a team could win the Triple Crown without ever weighing a marlin. It adds a strategic element that keeps the standings unpredictable until the final night.

The Wharf transforms into what organizers call a "Billfish Arena" during weigh-in nights, complete with giant LED screens, a concert-level sound system, and live coverage. Captains have compared the walk to the scale to a rock concert. Friday and Saturday night weigh-ins are open to the public and typically draw the largest crowds of the week.

The tournament also benefits St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, with more than $250,000 raised to date. Spectators looking to make a full day of it will find plenty of options at The Wharf. Valigios, Tee Off at the Wharf, Gulf Babe, and The Daiquiri Bar are all within easy walking distance to the Wharf Marina, and The Wharf's retail shops and entertainment complex offer something for the whole family as crews bring their catch to the dock.

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit the Blue Marlin Grand Championship website.