The Angling Trust has announced the complete schedule for RiverFest 2025, billed as the world’s largest and most prestigious river fishing competition. The event will feature 29 qualifying matches starting on 16th June and culminating in a two-day final on 20th-21st September.
New venues for 2025 include the Warwickshire Avon at Twyning and the River Trent at Holme Marsh, both known for producing impressive bream catches. Additionally, a qualifier split between Barford and Stratford on the Warwickshire Avon returns to the lineup.
A revised ticketing system has been introduced for Riverfest 2025 to improve access for anglers. The system will operate in three rounds:
- Round One: One ticket per person (24th March at 1 pm)
- Round Two: Up to three tickets per person (31st March at 1 pm)
- Round Three: Unlimited tickets (7th April at 1 pm)
RiverFest creator Dave Harrell explained the rationale behind the new system:
The new system will now allow these people to buy three more tickets easily. It should also stop the huge number of returns that happen when anglers who have multiple tickets from the outset, qualify.
It won’t stop those people who like to travel to different venues throughout the summer months, though. Tickets will be back on sale every Monday after weekend qualifiers and on Thursdays after midweek matches.
Ticket prices and pools remain unchanged from previous years, with a potential top prize of £14,000, subject to ticket sales. The final will feature 15 main list prizes and section prizes every six pegs.
Riverfest 2025 Qualifying Matches
- 16th June – Warwickshire Avon, Evesham (60 pegs)
- 18th June – River Trent, Newark (80 pegs)
- 21st June – River Calder, Mirfield (60 pegs)
- 25th June – River Severn, Bewdley (60 pegs)
- 27th June – River Trent, Tidal stretches (60 pegs)
- 29th June – River Trent, Trent Lock (60 pegs)
- 2nd July – River Trent, Burton (60 pegs)
- 5th July – River Severn, Bridgnorth (60 pegs)
- 6th July – Warwickshire Avon, Twyning (40 pegs)
- 12th July – River Soar, Sutton Bonnington (60 pegs)
- 16th July – River Trent, Collingham (60 pegs)
- 19th July – River Trent, Burton Joyce (80 pegs)
- 20th July – River Stour, Sturminster Newton (40 pegs)
- 23rd July – River Trent, Newark (80 pegs)
- 25th July – River Trent, Tidal stretches (60 pegs)
- 26th July – River Don, Sprotborough (40 pegs)
- 27th July – Warwickshire Avon, Barford/Stratford (60 pegs)
- 2nd August – River Thames, Clanfield (60 pegs)
- 3rd August – River Trent, Collingham (60 pegs)
- 6th August – River Trent, Newark (60 pegs)
- 9th August – River Trent, Burton Joyce (80 pegs)
- 10th August – River Nene, Oundle (40 pegs)
- 17th August – River Thames, Abingdon (60 pegs)
- 27th August – River Trent, Burton (60 pegs)
- 30th August – River Thames, Clanfield (40 pegs)
- 31st August – Bristol Avon, Swinford, Crane (40 pegs)
- 3rd September – River Severn, Bridgnorth (40 pegs)
- 5th September – River Trent, Holme Marsh (60 pegs)
- 6th September – Warwickshire Avon, Evesham (60 pegs)
A practice open is scheduled for 13th September on the River Trent at Burton Joyce (80 pegs), followed by the grand final on 20th-21st September at the same location (84 pegs each day).