Ocean City Tuna Tournament

About this event

Entering its 39th anniversary in 2026 (July 9–12), the Ocean City Tuna Tournament markets itself as the world’s largest tuna contest. Organizers note payouts that eclipsed $1 million in each of the last two years and fields topping 100 boats in three of the last four editions. A recent published summary listed 101 boats and $1,410,450 in total payouts, with Boss Hogg’s 200.5 lb tuna paying about $629,837—numbers that explain why East Coast sportfish boats treat OC tuna week as a destination.

Host campuses are Ocean City Fishing Center and sister Sunset Marina on the West Ocean City Sunset Avenue corridor. Both market swimming pools, tackle/gift shops, free parking, and restaurants—Micky Fins Bar & Grill is the on-site spectator and hospitality anchor while crews wait for scales. Local vendors (boats, tackle, jewelry, and more) set up daily; after scales close, dinner and entertainment are aimed at participants and sponsors.

Published entry fee is $1,500 per boat. Boats fish only two of the three fishing days (July 10, 11, and 12 per the rules page)—declare a lay day in person at Ocean City Fishing Center by 10:00 a.m. on the lay day. Eligible tuna are bigeye, yellowfin, bluefin, and longfin (albacore); fish must weigh a minimum of 30 pounds. Boats compete in single-heaviest and heaviest-stringer frameworks (a boat can win in only one of those two base categories for the entry purse). At least 60% of base entry fees feed the published prize pools.

Optional added levels are extensive—recent ladders run from roughly $500 daily tuna and stringer pots through multi-thousand winner-take-all rungs, no-sonar divisions, boat-length classes, first tuna above 200 lb, mahi/wahoo, bluefin, and a charity-split level. Fees on awards pages note a 5% cash discount with a 5% add-on for cards—budget carefully before you stack rungs. Pre-register on or before July 5 for the advertised $200 Micky Fins gift card.

2026 spectator rhythm (events page): registration and captains meeting Thursday, July 9, 4:00–7:00 p.m. at Ocean City Fishing Center. Weigh-ins Friday and Saturday 4:00–8:00 p.m. at both OCFC and Sunset Marina; Sunday 4:00–7:00 p.m. at Ocean City Fishing Center only. Boats & Beers Saturday 4:00–8:00 p.m. at OCFC. Sunday dinner service from 8:00 p.m. with awards to follow. Phone lines listed on the OC Fishing Center calendar: 410-213-1121 or 800-322-3065; email info@octunatournament.com.

Plan lodging and fuel early—tuna week sits between Canyon Kick-Off / Mid-Atlantic Cup and Huk Big Fish Classic. See tuna fishing FAQ, tournaments FAQ, marinas, and lodging.

For angler format notes, target species, and related tournament weekends, open the fishing events & tournaments card.

Full fishing tournament card All fishing tournaments

Quick planning tips

• Pad marina and Route 50 minutes—tournament weeks compress West Ocean City and inlet corridors.
• Book lodging early; billfish and tuna weeks stack with summer beach demand.
• Confirm weigh-in windows and public viewing rules with the host marina before you promise kids a “scale night.”

Full plan guide Official tickets

Map (approximate)

Sources we used

• Ocean City Tuna Tournament — official
• OCTT awards & fees
• OCTT rules
• OCTT events

OCEANCITY.MD does not operate these events. Organizer websites, OceanCity.com, the Town of Ocean City (OC Ocean), OC Visitor, and regional tourism calendars are starting points—verify every time-sensitive detail directly.

Related guide on this site: older editorial page (may overlap topics).