Key West Marlin Tournament: JULY 22–25, 2026 | 45 years of big payouts and blue‑water marlin fishing
July 22 - July 26
The 45th Annual Key West Marlin Tournament, featuring $50,000 in cash prizes in the Marlin Division, will take place Wednesday, July 22 through Saturday, July 25, 2026, in Key West, Florida, during the annual Hemingway Days Celebration and will bring anglers together for four days of big payouts and blue‑water marlin fishing. Last year’s Marlin and Fun Fish Divisions delivered a combined payout of $260,000, setting the stage for another high‑energy week on the water this year.
“As we celebrate 45 years of tournament tradition in Key West, the excitement keeps building,” said Tournament Chairman Tim Greene. “The payout gets attention, of course, but what makes this event special is the experience—fishing the legendary blue water off Key West, competing on the famed Wall, and sharing the week with friends, family, and crews who come back year after year. For many anglers, this tournament is part of their family history, and now we’re seeing a new generation ready to make those memories of their own.”
A world-class sportfishing competition, the Key West Marlin Tournament offers anglers the chance to chase blue marlin, white marlin, spearfish, tuna, dolphin fish, wahoo, and more in one of the most iconic offshore fisheries in the world. The tournament’s famed fishing grounds include the Wall, the dramatic drop-off in the Gulf Stream long associated with the blue-water angling lore of Ernest Hemingway and Key West.
The appeal goes well beyond the fishing. Anglers and their families come for the camaraderie on the docks, the stories swapped after lines-out, and the unique Key West atmosphere that makes this event as much a tradition as it is a competition. Some tournament participants have fished it for generations, passing down a love of the sport and the island from one crew to the next.
Throughout the week, tournament participants come together each evening, from the captain’s meeting and reception to casual dinners at local favorites and the final night’s awards celebration. From the excitement of the Bimini start to the last fish weighed, to the final trophies and cash prizes handed out, the tournament blends serious offshore fishing with the laid‑back spirit and warm hospitality that keep anglers coming back year after year.
Participants can also take advantage of special lodging offers, including a tournament rate at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Grand Key – Key West, as well as marina-related amenities tied to tournament week.
Held in conjunction with Hemingway Days, the tournament gives visitors the chance to enjoy one of Key West’s most beloved annual celebrations honoring the life and legacy of Ernest Hemingway. The combination of blue-water fishing, island history, literary lore, and summer festivities makes the Key West Marlin Tournament a one-of-a-kind experience for anglers and spectators alike.
For official rules, tournament details, accommodations, and registration, visit keywestmarlin.com or contact Tournament Chairman Tim Greene at (305) 304-0317.
Follow the tournament on Facebook at @keywestmarlin and Instagram at @keywestmarlintournament.