Great Alaska Sportsman Show is back at Sullivan Arena March 6-8, 2026! After a five-year hiatus and venue challenges, Alaska’s premier outdoor event returns home with exhibitors, prizes, seminars, and the community connection we’ve all been missing.

When I think about the Great Alaska Sportsman Show over the years, my memories blur together—familiar faces, friends, readers from around our state and beyond. It brings a smile to my face thinking back to those times. That was back when the Sullivan and Ben Boeke Arenas were packed shoulder to shoulder with Alaskans eager for the season to start.

The Great Alaska Sportsman Show played an integral role in our business success from the start. We couldn’t afford a booth when we didn’t even have our first issue printed. The kind folks at Alaska Sportfishing Association let us share theirs for a portion of proceeds. I’ll never forget their president Phil Cutler buying the very first Fish Alaska subscription at the show in Spring 2001. He continued subscribing until his passing, always kind-hearted and a staunch supporter.

The Glory Days

Everyone loved the Sportsman Show. Alaskans booked summer charters—Homer or Ninilchik halibut trips, Seward silvers, Kenai River adventures. Folks bought new rods and reels from retailers with the latest gear and best deals. They checked out the packraft of their backcountry dreams and renewed memberships to Safari Club, Wild Sheep Foundation, Alaska Sportfishing Association and our magazines. Outside the boats, trailers and motorhomes gleamed, drawing dreamers and serious buyers. Inside, attendees perused side-by-sides, ATVs, outboard motors, and packed seminars. I miss it.

Sully Down!

We haven’t been in the show in over five years. Before that, we were fixtures for 20 years—Marcus, George, our team, and me. We had booths at both arenas where many of you renewed subscriptions and grabbed show goodies.

In 2020, COVID forced cancellation. The Sullivan Arena—lovingly called The Sully—closed to the public, used instead as an emergency homeless shelter during and after COVID. News traveled of its disrepair.

The show had to find a new home for 2021. With limited large-event options in Anchorage, owners moved to the Dena’ina Center. Unfortunately, its downtown location, limited parking, lack of outdoor space, and smaller square footage didn’t work well. The show lost exhibitors, including us. Attendance dropped. It wasn’t the same.

The Sully is Rising

Anchorage’s Assembly must have realized what an important asset the Sullivan is. They ended the shelter services to restore it as an event venue, partnering with O’Malley—a local business excelling in sports-arena management—to restore it. They reopened newly renovated in October 2023 to return the Sullivan to its iconic status. This exciting rejuvenation is key to restoring another Alaska icon—The Great Alaska Sportsman Show—now set for The Sully this March.

Preview of Exhibitors Returning

Besides us, exhibitors who haven’t been around are coming back in 2026. Big Dan’s Fishing Charters and Lodge is returning, taking reservations for spring specials and remaining charter seats in Homer and Seward plus Soldotna lodging. Dan and Sarah Spies are pumped to debut their brand-new Big Dan’s Alaska Extreme Fishing Rods collaboration with Team Rainshadow. Batson Enterprises supplies all components for these custom halibut and jigging rods, assembled in Texas and distributed by Big Dan’s. They’re the same high-quality custom-designed rods they fish on all four boats.

Pristine Ventures’ Larry Bartlett is back. Avid backcountry hunters and fishers always drool over Larry’s PR-49 packrafts, plus Kork, Legend, Pioneer Xstream, and Levitator models—all Alaska-suited. Larry has introduced new products including a motor mount, bow bags, and the LB Flex Sled he designed; manufactured by Alaska Gear Company.

Another exciting return is River & Sea Marine and Motorsports, a top dealer for Willie Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Can-Am, Ski-Doo, Yamaha Motorsports, Klim and more. This foundational Soldotna business serves communities statewide and is looking forward to reconnecting with attendees of the show.

These are just a few. As word spreads about returning to the Sullivan, the industry should step up with more growth.

Prizes Galore

Something new: prize giveaways! Prizes from vendors include two chances at a charter with Big Dan’s Fishing Charters and Lodge. They’re giving away your choice of an early season Homer halibut charter or a Seward salmon/rockfish combo to two separate winners. There are chances to win subscriptions to both Fish Alaska and Hunt Alaska, and a lot more. The $13 entry is worth it just to see all these outdoor industry experts in one place. It’s extra valuable when you grab the exclusive event deals many vendors offer. Plus, you could win one of many rad prizes like the Husqvarna 570BTS backpack leaf blower generously donated by AME. Signage around the show will share how to register online to become eligible to win one of these amazing prizes.

Wall of Guns!

The Alaska Outdoor Council is bringing Alaska’s largest Wall of Guns to the show. For every 100 tickets sold, a new winner is drawn throughout the event. Winners can participate online and in person with over 70 firearms to choose from. Best part? All funds stay in Alaska—advocating for hunters, anglers, and public access rights. Raffles like this helped Alaska Outdoor Council raise over $200,000 for youth education in Alaska in 2025. Swing by for details and to check out the firearms.

Outstanding Seminars

The seminar schedule is still being finessed at press time. One new seminar: SalmonState presenting on the devastating effects of trawl fishing in Alaska. If you’re not fully engaged in this issue as an Alaskan, plan to attend. We’ll share more details as we get closer.

You might remember that for several years pre-COVID, we produced the Great Alaska Sportsman Show Official Show Guide within Fish Alaska’s pages. I’m excited to announce we’re back in action. This partnership lets us, as Alaska’s premier sportfishing and hunting media, share what’s happening at Anchorage’s biggest fishing and hunting event. It’s our job to know what’s happening in the industry, so connecting the two makes sense. Plus, it’s a nice bonus giving non-subscribers a free Fish Alaska copy at the door. Current subscribers, come see us—we have something special for you too!

There is more to come in new developments as we lead up to the 2026 event. We’ll share all we hear through our social media channels, website and email so be sure to connect how you like to best. The Great Alaska Sportsman Show has their Facebook and Instagram accounts to follow too. For more information, visit greatalaskasportsmanshow.com.

Built by Alaskans, Sustained by Community

The Future of the Great Alaska Sportsman Show? The truth is the future of our beloved Great Alaska Sportsman Show is entirely up to us—Alaska’s outdoorsmen and women. The show has all the foundation to grow back into what it once was and beyond. We can help the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts learn what it’s like to feel connected. Who are we as people? Are we superficial Instagram heroes who don’t want to be bothered with people? Hell no! We’re salt of the earth, soulful, Alaskans who thrive in relationships with our community—Marcus and I can’t wait to see you all there.

Melissa Norris

About the Author Melissa Norris

Melissa Norris is the founder and Publisher of Fish Alaska and Hunt Alaska magazines. She has over two decades of experience fishing all over Alaska, writing about her time in the field, testing gear, planning trips and cooking and harvesting wild Alaska seafood. In addition to writing tons of content for the magazine and our website, Melissa heads our digital platforms and leads the design team.

For Melissa Norris’s full bio, read more.