Matchroom Multi Sport and the Angling Trust are pleased to confirm that qualifiers for FishOMania 2021 will commence on Saturday April 3, with Moorlands Farm hosting the first of 20 UK qualifying events and entry tickets on sale from Monday.

A regular schedule of midweek and weekend qualifying matches will take place across the country, with all matches fished in accordance with the latest Covid-19 guidelines as set out by the Angling Trust in line with DCMS guidance. The 20 winning anglers will peg it up in the £50,000 Grand Final at Hayfield Lakes, Doncaster on Saturday, July 24, live on Sky Sports.

Entry tickets will go on sale at 10.30am on Monday, March 15. Tickets will be priced at £30, the first change in over a decade. This follows several years of expansion of FishOMania, including significant investment in the prize fund to include section winner payouts, a runners-up prize of £10,000 and a winners’ cheque which now stands at £50,000. In addition, the NXTGEN event expanded to eight anglers and a £2,500 prize fund last year.

Emily Frazer, Managing Director of Matchroom Multi Sport, said: “We are delighted to be able to deliver a full schedule of 20 UK qualifiers for FishOMania this summer. This comes after hard work alongside our partners at Angling Trust to ensure it is safe to fish qualifying matches in line with the latest Covid-19 guidance.

“This gives anglers across the country the chance to chase the dream and have a chance at landing £50,000. After years of investment in FishOMania we have reluctantly increased the entry fee from £25 to £30. In doing this we hope to sustain investment in FishOMania for years to come and anglers, spectators and TV viewers can all look forward to more investment in the coming years.

“We want to ensure FishOMania remains the biggest day in the UK match calendar and to do that we must continue to invest in what is a truly great event, a highlight of the British sporting summer.

“The live crowd is a big part of FishOMania and we are looking forward to welcoming spectators back to Hayfield Lakes on July 24 after missing them at last year’s event.”

Ben Thompson, Senior Competitions and Performance Manager of Angling Trust, said “With outdoor sports set to return from March 29 the Angling Trust has been working with government departments to map out details for a smooth and safe resumption for competitive angling. We are expecting definitive guidance next week and FishOMania will be the first competition in our schedule as we exit lockdown. Matchroom Multi Sport’s plans for FishOMania will once again set it apart as the premier event in 2021 and we are excited to welcome coarse competition anglers to qualification events for fishing’s blue ribband final.”

News on spectator tickets for FishOMania will be available later in the spring at www.fishomania.net. The 24-angler field for FishOMania will be completed by the defending champion Andy Bennett, alongside the 2021 Ladies National champion and two international qualifiers. FishOMania NXTGEN will also return, offering eight young anglers the chance to fish for £2,500.

FISHOMANIA UK QUALIFIERS 2021
1. Saturday 3rd April – Moorlands Farm
2. Wednesday 14th April – Heronbrook Fisheries
3. Saturday 17th April – Partridge Lakes
4. Wednesday 21st April – Westwood Lakes
5. Saturday 24th April – Old Hough
6. Wednesday 28th April – Tunnel Barn Farm
7. Saturday 1st May – The Oaks
8. Wednesday 5th May – Lake View Fishery
9. Saturday 8th May – Weston Pools
10. Wednesday 12th May – Heronbrook Fisheries
11. Wednesday 19th May – Makins Fishery
12. Wednesday 26th May – Drennan Lindholme Lakes
13. Saturday 29th May – Tunnel Barn Farm
14. Wednesday 2nd June – Moorlands Farm
15. Wednesday 9th June – Todber Manor
16. Wednesday 16th June – Partridge Lakes
17. Saturday 19th June – Monk Lakes
18. Wednesday 23rd June – Weston Pools
19. Sunday 4th July – Drennan Lindholme Lakes
20. Wednesday 14th July – Hayfield Lakes

How to Book Tickets
Entry tickets for the FishOMania qualifiers will again be sold via the Angling Trust website https://anglingtrust.net/competitions/ from 10.30am on Monday, March 15.

Cancellations will be re-listed on the online booking system and sold on a first come first served basis. Any unused qualifying anglers’ tickets will go back on sale the next working day after the qualifier date.

Anglers are advised to read the FAQ document and view the ‘how to book tickets’ video at www.anglingtrust.net/fishomania before tickets go on sale to ensure members understand the booking process and how to resolve issues with passwords or how to log in. The Angling Trust competitions team are available to assist customers on 0115 822 4519/ 0115 822 4532.