The Golden Reel has confirmed its full qualifier calendar for the 2026 season. This year marks the 10th running of the competition, with 26 qualifiers scheduled across England. All matches will be fished to 60 pegs, giving anglers a consistent format throughout the season.
Larford Lakes features heavily once again. The venue hosts several qualifiers and will also stage the Semi-Final and Grand Final. Most venues return from the 2025 campaign. Hayfield Lakes, Partridge Lakes, Lindholme Lakes, Hallcroft Lakes, The Glebe, and Rookery Waters all remain on the calendar. The only venue not used last season is Meadowlands, which hosts a qualifier in late June.
Each qualifier winner will progress directly to the Golden Reel Grand Final at Larford Lakes on Saturday, 19th September 2026, fished on the Specimen Lake. Two additional anglers will progress via a semi-final match at Larford Lakes, with the date currently listed as TBC.
The full list of Golden Reel 2026 qualifier dates and venues is below.
Golden Reel 2026 Qualifier Dates
| Date | Venue | Pegs |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 28th March 2026 | Larford Lakes, Stourport | 60 |
| Sunday, 5th April 2026 | Larford Lakes, Stourport | 60 |
| Saturday, 11th April 2026 | Hayfield Lakes, Doncaster | 60 |
| Sunday, 12th April 2026 | Larford Lakes, Stourport | 60 |
| Saturday, 18th April 2026 | Heron Brook | 60 |
| Sunday, 26th April 2026 | Lindholme Lakes, Doncaster | 60 |
| Saturday, 2nd May 2026 | Larford Lakes, Stourport | 60 |
| Sunday, 3rd May 2026 | Lindholme Lakes, Doncaster | 60 |
| Saturday, 9th May 2026 | Hallcroft Lakes, Retford | 60 |
| Saturday, 16th May 2026 | Larford Lakes, Stourport | 60 |
| Saturday, 23rd May 2026 | Partridge Lakes, Warrington | 60 |
| Sunday, 24th May 2026 | The Glebe Fishery, Peckleton | 60 |
| Monday, 25th May 2026 | Rookery Waters, Huntingdon | 60 |
| Saturday, 30th May 2026 | Larford Lakes, Stourport | 60 |
| Saturday, 6th June 2026 | Partridge Lakes, Warrington | 60 |
| Sunday, 14th June 2026 | Lindholme Lakes, Doncaster | 60 |
| Saturday, 27th June 2026 | Meadowlands | 60 |
| Sunday, 12th July 2026 | The Glebe Fishery, Peckleton | 60 |
| Saturday, 18th July 2026 | Larford Lakes, Stourport | 60 |
| Sunday, 19th July 2026 | Hayfield Lakes, Doncaster | 60 |
| Sunday, 2nd August 2026 | Larford Lakes, Stourport | 60 |
| Saturday, 8th August 2026 | Partridge Lakes, Warrington | 60 |
| Sunday, 9th August 2026 | The Glebe Fishery, Peckleton | 60 |
| Sunday, 30th August 2026 | Hayfield Lakes, Doncaster | 60 |
| Saturday, 5th September 2026 | The Glebe Fishery, Peckleton | 60 |
| Sunday, 13th September 2026 | Lindholme Lakes, Doncaster | 60 |
Tickets for the Golden Reel 2026 qualifiers are priced at £50 per angler. Entries can be purchased online via the official Golden Reel Angling website. Tickets are sold on a qualifier-by-qualifier basis, and places are limited to 60 per match. Anglers are advised to book early, as several qualifiers sold out in advance during the 2025 season.
Tickets and full entry details are available here: https://goldenreelangling.co.uk/golden-reel-buy-tickets/