The SuperMotocross calendar gained a new headline moment. Bass Pro Shops signed on as a featured partner across the full SMX League season. The deal places the Monster Energy SMX World Championship Final at Thunder Ridge near Branson, Missouri, on September 26, 2026.
The announcement landed with fanfare. The partnership launches at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross opener at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on January 10. From there, the relationship runs through the full racing year and into the postseason finale.
A Global Championship With Local Roots
The World Championship Final brings elite riders from across the United States and abroad. Competitors arrive from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, France, Switzerland, Australia, Germany, Japan, and Estonia. The field reflects the series’ international pull and rising profile.
The SMX World Championship blends two formats. Stadium Supercross rewards precision and timing. Outdoor Pro Motocross favors speed, stamina, and terrain control. Together they form a 28-round regular season followed by playoffs and a single title-deciding event.
Thunder Ridge Takes Center Stage
Thunder Ridge at Big Cedar Lodge hosts the season’s final showdown. The venue sits high above Table Rock Lake with sweeping views of the Ozark Mountains. The setting feels carved from the land rather than placed on it.
Opened only a few years ago, Thunder Ridge already ranks among North America’s most striking outdoor arenas. Capacity exceeds 20,000. Forested hills frame the natural amphitheater. Fans watch racing unfold against water, rock, and sky.
Racing Meets Destination Travel
The weekend extends beyond the track. Big Cedar Lodge serves as the official accommodations partner. Guests gain access to championship-level golf, acclaimed dining, and outdoor recreation spread across the resort.
The setup turns a race into a trip. Fans can spend the morning on the water, the afternoon on the grounds, and the evening under the lights as the title gets decided.
Bass Pro Shops Expands Its Motorsports Footprint
This agreement marks Bass Pro Shops’ first step into off-road motorcycle racing. The company carries deep motorsports ties, including NASCAR involvement that dates back to 1998. The SMX partnership extends that legacy into dirt and two wheels.
Bass Pro Shops now holds the role of official outdoor recreation retailer for the series. Big Cedar Lodge becomes the official wilderness resort of the SMX World Championship. The alignment feels natural. Racing fans often hunt, fish, camp, and travel outdoors.
Leadership Perspective
Feld Motor Sports CEO Juliette Feld Grossman framed the partnership as a meeting of shared passions. The goal centers on adventure, travel, and spectacle rolled into a single destination event.
Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops and a long-time conservation advocate, echoed that theme. He pointed to the Ozarks as a backdrop worth sharing with a worldwide audience. His comments carried the tone of a host welcoming guests into his backyard.
Season Structure and Stakes
The SMX season includes 17 Supercross rounds and 11 Pro Motocross events. Points earned across both formats determine playoff seeding. Two playoff races narrow the field.
Everything leads to the World Championship Final. One race. One winner. Little room for error. It is the kind of format that rewards consistency and punishes hesitation.
Familiar Faces and New Ambassadors
Fan favorite Malcolm Stewart joins the partnership as an ambassador during the 2026 season. Off the bike, Stewart spends time fishing and exploring the outdoors. His presence bridges racing culture with the lifestyle Bass Pro Shops promotes.
Ticket Information and Timing
Pre-sale tickets for the SMX Playoffs and Final open January 27. General public sales begin February 3. Interest is expected to be strong given the venue, the timing, and the championship stakes.
The 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship Final signals a shift in how major motorsports events get staged. It blends international competition with a destination built around land, water, and conservation. Fans get racing. They also get a place worth traveling for. That mix may set the tone for future championship weekends.
