About the Tournament

Considered one of the oldest big-game saltwater tournaments in the world. Held at Marina Hemingway, 9 miles west of Havana's city center, the Ernest Hemingway International Billfishing Tournament hosts fishermen from around the world in pursuit of marlin and other deep-sea fish, including tuna and wahoo, using 50-pound fishing line.

First held in 1950, this year marks the 71st tournament. For four days, anglers will battle with large ocean fish by day and enjoy the cultural and culinary treasures of Havana by night - as Hemingway did.

As of 2016, the tournament was sanctioned by the International Game Fish Association. Since 1997 it has been a catch and release tournament.

How it Started

On May 26, 1950, 36 of the best fishing boats in Havana sailed through the channel of the Castillo del Morro, at the entrance to Havana Harbor, in search of the Gulf Stream. One of those boats was "Pilar", owned by Ernest Hemingway who represented the Havana Yacht Club in this first of many tournaments to come.

A group of fishermen proposed to name the tournament after him, in respect of Hemingway’s passion for big game fishing. He not only agreed, but he also won the cup for the first three tournaments. In 1959, Hemingway moved to Idaho after having lived in Cuba for the better part of 40 years, but returned in 1960 to receive an award at the 11th annual Hemingway Tournament held at what is now Marina Hemingway. That year, Fidel Castro won the tournament, and the trophy was presented to him by Hemingway marking the only time the two ever met.

In 1961 and 1962 the tournament was not held due to the tension between Cuba and the United States, and was resumed as a national tournament in 1963 until 1978 when international participants were once again invited. 

With the founding of the Hemingway International Yacht Club of Cuba in 1992, the tournament found new inspiration. The Ernest Hemingway International Billfishing Tournament promotes positive relationships with fishing clubs and fishermen, encouraging the participation in sport fishing and promoting the protection of the environment and its species.