2026 Lawn Bowls Championships Preview

The 2026 lawn bowls season features major championships across six continents, with the World Bowls Indoor Championship in Australia and Commonwealth Games in Scotland as headline events.

2026 Lawn Bowls Championship Calendar: Complete Schedule

World Indoor Bowls Championships: January 9-25, Potters Resorts, UK

• Ambassador Cruise Line World Indoor Bowls Championships runs January 9-25 at Potters Resorts, Norfolk, UK

• 74 top-tier matches will be played across the 17-day tournament

• Live streaming available for every match online through official tournament platforms

• Tickets available for individual days with premium seating options for finals

• Features both men’s and women’s competitions across singles, pairs, and triples formats

• Defending champions include Greg Harlow in men’s singles and Katherine Rednall in women’s singles

• Tournament director David Phillips expects record attendance with enhanced spectator facilities

• International broadcast partners include Sky Sports and regional networks across Europe

• Practice facilities available for competitors throughout the event duration

• Official merchandise and memorabilia available at venue and online stores

World Bowls Indoor Championship: May 11-16, Ocean Grove, Australia

Date	Event	Location	Competition
May 11	Practice Day	Ocean Grove Bowling Club	Practice sessions and venue familiarization
May 12	Opening Rounds	Ocean Grove Bowling Club	Men’s and women’s singles preliminary matches
May 13	Championship Rounds	Ocean Grove Bowling Club	Pairs and triples competitions begin
May 14	Mid-Tournament	Ocean Grove Bowling Club	Continuation of all events with elimination rounds
May 15	Semi-Finals	Ocean Grove Bowling Club	Top competitors advance to medal matches
May 16	Finals Day	Ocean Grove Bowling Club	Medal matches, presentations, and closing ceremony

The World Bowls Indoor Championship at Ocean Grove represents the pinnacle of indoor lawn bowls competition, attracting elite bowlers from 32 nations including Australia, England, Scotland, New Zealand, and South Africa. The six-day event features state-of-the-art facilities with two canopy-covered greens, ensuring optimal playing conditions regardless of weather. Practice Day on May 11 allows competitors to familiarize themselves with the venue’s unique characteristics before official competition begins. The tournament structure includes men’s and women’s singles, pairs, and triples events, with medal matches scheduled for the final day. Ocean Grove Bowling Club’s location in Victoria offers participants and spectators access to nearby beaches, wineries, and tourist attractions, making it an ideal championship destination.

Regional Qualifiers and International Events

Americas Region World Championship Qualifier: March 2-6, Long Beach, USA

The Americas Region World Championship Qualifier represents a critical pathway for bowlers from North and South America to secure spots in the World Championships. Held at Long Beach Lawn Bowls Club in California, this six-day event determines which nations will represent the Americas region on the global stage. The competition features practice days on February 28 and March 1, allowing teams to acclimate to the playing conditions before the official tournament begins on March 2. Nations competing include the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and other regional representatives. The event carries silver tier points in the World Bowls Series rankings, making it significant for both qualification and career progression. Winners earn automatic berths to the World Championships, while runners-up may receive wild card entries depending on available spots. The Long Beach venue offers excellent facilities with multiple greens and spectator areas, and its coastal location provides additional attractions for visiting teams and supporters.

Commonwealth Games: July 24 – August 2, Glasgow, Scotland

• Held at Glasgow venues during July 24 – August 2, 2026

• Features top international talent from Commonwealth nations including Australia, England, Scotland, New Zealand, and South Africa

• Part of World Bowls Series calendar with ranking points available for top performers

• Showcases lawn bowls on global stage with extensive television coverage across Commonwealth countries

• Expected to draw over 200 elite competitors across men’s and women’s events

• Glasgow venues include state-of-the-art facilities with multiple greens and spectator amenities

• Opening ceremony scheduled for July 24 with lawn bowls competition beginning July 25

• Medal events will be held across singles, pairs, triples, and mixed disciplines

• Defending champions from 2022 Birmingham Games expected to return

• Local organizing committee anticipates record attendance for lawn bowls events

Season Finale and Rankings Events

World Bowls Champion of Champions: October 6-10, New South Wales, Australia

The World Bowls Champion of Champions serves as the season’s grand finale, bringing together the best performers from various championships throughout the year. Held October 6-10 at a venue in New South Wales, Australia, this prestigious event features two canopy-covered greens with excellent playing conditions regardless of weather. The tournament includes on-site accommodation options, making it convenient for international competitors. Beyond the competitive aspect, the location offers tourist opportunities with nearby attractions and activities for participants and their families. The Champion of Champions format ensures that only the season’s top performers compete, creating high-level matches that determine the year’s ultimate champions across different categories and formats. Previous winners include Australia’s Aron Sherriff and Scotland’s Claire Johnston, who are expected to defend their titles in 2026.

World Bowls Series Ranking Events Throughout 2026

Event	Dates	Location	Points Available
Victorian Open	March 20-29	Latrobe Valley, Victoria, Australia	Gold tier points
Asian Lawn Bowls Championship	April 5	Location TBD	Gold tier points
Hong Kong International Bowls Classic Qualifying	March-April	Hong Kong	Silver tier points
World Singles Champion of Champions	October 6-10	Barham, NSW, Australia	Gold tier points
Americas Region Qualifier	March 2-6	Long Beach, USA	Silver tier points
European Masters Championship	June 15-22	London, UK	Gold tier points
Oceania Championships	September 10-17	Auckland, New Zealand	Gold tier points
World Pairs Championship	November 5-12	Christchurch, New Zealand	Gold tier points

The 2026 lawn bowls season promises unprecedented competition across six major championships, with the World Bowls Indoor Championship in Australia and Commonwealth Games in Scotland as must-watch events for fans worldwide. The season features over 32 nations competing across five countries, with more than 500 elite bowlers expected to participate in ranking events throughout the year. The World Bowls Series ranking system ensures that every match counts toward career progression, with gold tier events offering the most significant points for world rankings. Defending champions from previous years will face intense competition from rising stars, creating compelling storylines throughout the season. The combination of traditional venues like Potters Resorts and new championship locations in Australia and New Zealand provides diverse playing conditions that test the adaptability of top competitors.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawn Bowls Championships 2026

When and where is the 2026 Lawn Bowls Championship taking place?

The 2026 Lawn Bowls Championship will be held at Ocean Grove Bowling Club from May 11-15, 2026, featuring practice sessions, opening rounds, championship rounds, mid-tournament play, and semi-finals leading to medal matches.

What events are scheduled for the 2026 Lawn Bowls Championship?

The championship includes practice sessions on May 11, men's and women's singles preliminary matches on May 12, pairs and triples competitions beginning May 13, elimination rounds on May 14, and semi-finals on May 15.

What is the Victorian Open and when does it take place?

The Victorian Open is a regional qualifier held March 20-29, 2026, in Latrobe Valley, Victoria, Australia, offering gold tier points for international rankings.