2027 Grassroots Tournament Program
Supporting the clubs that keep kayak fishing moving forward.
Local clubs and tournament trails are where kayak fishing grows. They bring anglers together, create competition close to home and give more people a reason to get on the water. For 2027, Old Town is proud to invest in organizations strengthening the sport at the local and regional level.
Through the Old Town Grassroots Tournament Program, 12 selected kayak fishing clubs or tournament organizations will receive funding, a season-end Sportsman 120 PRO prize and a branded event activation kit to help elevate their events throughout the year.
Applications will be accepted from October 20th, 2026, through November 13th, 2026.
Who Should Apply
We are looking for established kayak fishing clubs and tournament organizations that:
- Host at least six (6) events during the 2027 season.
- Use an official tournament tracking platform, such as TourneyX or Fishing Chaos.
- Average at least 40 anglers per event, verified through an official tournament tracker.
- Maintain an active, official social presence, such as a Facebook page or group, Instagram profile, or comparable channel.
What Selected Clubs Receive
- $2,500 to support prize payouts throughout the season, such as Big Bass awards.
- One Old Town Sportsman 120 PRO kayak for a season-end award, such as Angler of the Year.
- One Old Town Sportsman-branded event activation kit, including a 10 x 10 tent, two teardrop flags and one oversized reusable award check.
Program Expectations
Selected clubs will be expected to:
- Include the Old Town logo on applicable program and event promotional pages, advertisements, and materials.
- Use the Old Town Sportsman activation kit at every qualifying event.
- Recognize Old Town in social posts and event announcements with language such as "brought to you by Old Town" or "sponsored by Old Town."
- Provide event photography from each event that clearly shows the Old Town activation kit in use.
Ready to help grow kayak fishing in your community? Tell us about your club, your anglers, and the events you have planned for 2027.
Official Rules
Old Town Grassroots Tournament Sponsorship Program
Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Inc. (“Old Town” or “Sponsor”) is committed to supporting the growth of kayak fishing at the local and regional level. Through the Old Town Grassroots Tournament Sponsorship Program (the “Program”), Old Town will select a limited number of kayak fishing clubs and/or tournament organizations for Old Town’s sponsorship to help elevate kayak fishing events throughout the 2027 season.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
The Program is only open to local kayak fishing clubs or tournaments based in the contiguous United States that meet all of the following requirements:
- Be established as an official for-profit or non-profit entity;
- Conduct only kayak fishing as part of their club and/or tournament events;
- Maintain an active and sizable social media page or Facebook group;
- Host a minimum of six (6) club or tournament kayak fishing events during the calendar season;
- Feature significant and consistent kayak angler participation, with an average of at least 40 participants at each club or tournament event; and
- Use a digital tournament program to manage competitive kayak fishing events, such as TourneyX, Fishing Chaos or iAngler.
HOW TO APPLY FOR SELECTION:
To be considered for selection into the Program, complete the application form located at Old Town Grassroots Tournament Sponsorship Program application.
Submission of an application does not create any right to sponsorship. Old Town may select participating organizations based on criteria determined solely at Old Town’s discretion.
Applications must be submitted through the link provided above from October 20, 2026, through November 13, 2026 (the “Program Application Period”) to be considered. Applications submitted via any other method will not be accepted.
Limit one (1) application per club or tournament organization.
SPONSORSHIP SELECTION AND BENEFITS:
Sponsorships under the Program will be selected from all eligible applications received during the Program Application Period. Old Town will select approximately twelve (12) clubs and/or tournament organizations for sponsorship.
Organizations selected for sponsorship will be notified using the contact information provided in their application. Each selected organization will receive the following sponsorship benefits:
- $2,500 for cash prizes to participants in kayak fishing event(s) in 2027;
- One (1) Old Town Sportsman 120 Pro kayak, with an approximate retail value of $1,999.99;
- An Old Town Sportsman sponsorship activation kit (the “Sponsorship Activation Kit”), including:
- One 10-by-10-foot tent;
- Two teardrop flags; and
- One oversized reusable novelty award check for use at events throughout the year.
- Those selected for sponsorship may also be featured on Old Town’s website and social channels throughout the year.
Sponsor selections are at Old Town’s discretion. Selected organizations are required to sign a sponsorship agreement that defines sponsorship benefits, marketing rights, brand usage requirements and other requirements under the Program, including but not limited to:
- Use of the Old Town logo on applicable program and event promotional pages, advertisements and materials;
- Use of the Sponsorship Activation Kit at every qualifying event;
- Recognition of the Old Town brand in the organization’s social posts and event announcements with language such as “brought to you by Old Town” or “sponsored by Old Town”; and
- Providing Old Town with event photography from each event that clearly shows use of the Sponsorship Activation Kit.
Sponsorship benefits are provided “as is” with no warranty, either express or implied by Sponsor. Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute products or portions thereof with products of comparable or greater value.
All sponsorship benefits are provided at Sponsor’s sole discretion. All costs and expenses associated with the acceptance and use of sponsorship benefits that are not specified herein as being provided are the sole responsibility of the selected organizations.
