War Heroes on Water Presented by loanDepot, the World’s Largest Nonprofit Sportfishing Tournament for Veterans, Announces 2026 Dates: Sept. 25–29
Ninth annual tournament offers a path for combat-wounded veterans to heal from their physical and emotional wounds
WHOW’s eight-year history of serving our nation’s heroes has:
- Raised more than $8 million for 501c3 partner Freedom Alliance
- Directly served 675 veterans on the water
- Supported thousands more veterans and their families through therapeutic services provided by Freedom Alliance
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Organizers of War Heroes on Water (WHOW) presented by loanDepot, the world’s largest nonprofit sportfishing tournament for veterans, today announced the 2026 event, scheduled for September 25–29 off the coast of Southern California. The transformative sportfishing event offers combat-wounded veterans a path to healing through the power of the open ocean, team-based competition, big game fishing and the lasting connections forged along the way.
The ninth annual tournament builds on the momentum of last year’s event, which drew the largest WHOW fleet to date, comprised of more than 60 yachts generously donated by the Southern California community, including more than 50 competing sportfishing vessels, captains and crews. The tournament welcomed 125 combat-wounded veterans, many of whom have received the nation’s highest military honors, including 54 Purple Hearts. It also brought together 362 returning and new corporate and private donors and sponsors who care about our veterans and want to play a role in changing—and saving—lives.
“Every year, WHOW brings together an incredible network of supporters united by a shared commitment to our nation’s veterans who have sacrificed so much,” said WHOW Founder Anthony Hsieh. “From our fleet and volunteers to our sponsors and donors, this event creates a lasting family that supports our heroes well beyond their time on the water. We’re proud to continue honoring and giving back to these veterans in a meaningful way.”
WHOW was founded by Hsieh in 2018. Throughout its eight-year history, the generous support of the WHOW family, including the fleet, corporate sponsors, individual donors and volunteers, has enabled the tournament to directly serve 675 veterans on the water and, via Freedom Alliance, raise more than $8 million to support thousands more through the organization’s year-round therapeutic services and scholarships for combat-wounded service members and their families.
“Our partnership with WHOW continues to play an important role in advancing our mission and expanding the support we provide to veterans,” said Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon. “This tournament offers a powerful experience that helps our heroes reconnect, heal and find renewed hope, made possible by the exceptional generosity of the entire WHOW family. Each year, we see that impact grow.”
At the heart of WHOW are dozens of participants and volunteers, including the owners, captains and crews of the WHOW fleet, who collectively represent a monetary donation of hundreds of thousands of dollars, as well as hundreds of hours, to host veterans during the tournament’s three-day on-water component. Each year, the prowess of SoCal’s finest anglers takes center stage as teams share knowledge of the local waters and expert fishing techniques to get their veterans on fish.
Reflecting on the impact of last year’s event, 2025 participant and Army Veteran Doug Meeker shared: “I don’t think we can fully express what this means to all of us, but the support from everyone here is helping veterans like me find a path forward. Coming to WHOW helped me get back to who I was. Sitting together, sharing stories and connecting with the crews and fellow war fighters felt like hitting the reset button. I left ready to get back home and move forward. You truly become family here.”
“WHOW is a true reflection of the passion and generosity of the Southern California sportfishing community, which comes together each year to support our veterans,” said WHOW Tournament Director Rod Halperin. “It’s inspiring to see how this event continues to grow, bringing people together around a shared purpose and delivering a meaningful experience for those who have given so much in service to our country.”
To learn more and make a tax-deductible donation to this event or to join the amazing WHOW fleet, please visit www.warheroesonwater.com.
About War Heroes on Water
War Heroes on Water (WHOW) is an annual sportfishing tournament of unprecedented scale that supports combat-wounded veterans’ programs. It was created in 2018 by loanDepot Founder and CEO Anthony Hsieh, who is also the owner and leader of Team Bad Company, a world-class, record-holding competitive sportfishing fleet. Through Hsieh’s deep connections with the country’s sportfishing and business communities, WHOW has grown exponentially and is now the largest nonprofit sportfishing tournament in the US.
Additional information, including photos and videos from past tournaments, may be found at www.warheroesonwater.com | Instagram: @warheroesonwater | Facebook: www.facebook.com/WarHeroesonWater | YouTube: War Heroes on Water Fishing Tournament
About Freedom Alliance
Freedom Alliance is a charitable organization which provides help and support to wounded troops and military families. Freedom Alliance has awarded more than $25 million in college scholarships to the children of military heroes killed or disabled in military service and has spent millions more helping injured veterans and military families with outdoor recreational therapy trips, Heroes Vacations, care packages for deployed troops, mortgage-free homes, all-terrain wheelchairs and much more. To learn more, visit www.FreedomAlliance.org or Facebook.com/FreedomAlliance.
About loanDepot
Since its launch in 2010, loanDepot (NYSE: LDI) has revolutionized the mortgage industry with digital innovations that make transacting easier, faster, and less stressful for customers and originators alike. The company, which is licensed in all 50 states, helps its customers achieve the American dream of homeownership through a broad suite of lending and real estate services that simplify one of life’s most complex transactions. loanDepot is also committed to serving the communities in which its team lives and works through a variety of local and national philanthropic efforts.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260528356795/en/
Media Contact
Jonathan Fine
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KEYWORDS: California United States North America
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Sports Defense People with Disabilities Finance Fishing Professional Services Consumer Veterans
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