Matchroom Multi Sport has confirmed CarpLife Competitions as the new title sponsor of the 2026 FishOMania competition, marking a new commercial partnership for one of the most recognised events in UK match fishing. The sponsorship covers the entire 2026 FishOMania series, including the nationwide qualifiers and the grand final. As a result, the event has a new name for 2026: CarpLife Competitions FishOMania.
The final returns to Westwood Lakes in Lincolnshire on Saturday, 18 July 2026, where it will again be broadcast live on Sky Sports across the UK and Ireland.
A Long Established Event In Match Fishing
First staged in 1994, FishOMania has developed into the sport’s most visible one-day final. Anglers earn their place through a series of qualifiers held across commercial fisheries before meeting at Westwood Lakes for the televised showdown. Over three decades, the event has grown into a fixture of the match fishing calendar. Large crowds now travel to the Lincolnshire venue each summer, while thousands more follow the match live on television.
For 2026, there will also be a change to the final lineup. The field has expanded to 30 anglers, increasing the number of competitors contesting the title on the day.
Barry Hearn, President of Matchroom Sport, said:
FishOMania has been the crown jewel of match fishing for more than three decades. It’s a tournament built on pressure, precision and passion, and it means everything to the anglers who earn their place in that final.
Qualifying Campaign Begins In April
As always, the route to Westwood Lakes begins with a nationwide qualifying campaign. The first qualifier takes place on the 1st April at Tunnel Barn Farm, a venue that has featured regularly on the FishOMania circuit over the years.
From there, anglers will compete across a series of matches held at commercial fisheries around the country. Only a small number will secure a place in the final. Matt Tomsett, Founder and CEO of CarpLife Competitions, said the company was proud to support the competition.
I started out in carp fishing, but over the years I’ve realised angling is far bigger than any one discipline. It’s a sport that connects people, creates opportunity and has real benefits for mental health and wellbeing.
Tomsett added that the partnership reflects the company’s interest in supporting participation in the sport.
We’ve always believed in supporting grassroots angling, and by backing FishOMania, we hope we can help inspire junior anglers to one day step onto that main stage themselves.
He also confirmed that every child attending the final will receive a CarpLife gift, aimed at encouraging younger anglers to stay involved in the sport.
Spectator Tickets Available For The Final
Alongside the sponsorship announcement, organisers have also confirmed that spectator tickets are now on sale for the 2026 final. Tickets start at £7 for general admission, while a group ticket priced at £20 allows entry for four people.
The event traditionally attracts thousands of spectators to Westwood Lakes. Many follow the match from around the lakes throughout the day while the action is broadcast live on television.
Emily Frazer, CEO of Matchroom Multi Sport, said:
FishOMania is a defining moment in the angling calendar and an event that captures the imagination of fans across the UK.
There is nothing quite like the atmosphere around Westwood Lakes on finals day. The tension, the drama and the passion from the crowd make it incredibly special.
Fans unable to attend in person will still be able to watch the final live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, with further international broadcast partners expected to be announced later.
The qualification campaign begins in April and will run throughout the spring and early summer. One angler will eventually lift the trophy at Westwood Lakes on Saturday, 18th July 2026, joining a list of champions that stretches back more than thirty years.