2027 World Bowls Indoor Championship venue confirmed

World Bowls is delighted to announce the venue for the 2027 World Bowls Indoor Championship.

Hartlepool and District Indoor Bowling Club, a coastal seaport town located in the Northeast region of England, within the ceremonial county of County Durham, will stage the event hosted by the English Indoor Bowling Association and co-sanctioned by the International Indoor Bowls Council.

The prestigious six-day international event which features men’s singles, women’s singles and mixed pairs will bring together elite indoor bowlers from member nations around the world between May 10-15. It carries platinum World Bowls Series ranking points and sits just beneath the outdoor World Bowls Championship in the global hierarchy.

It’s the second time the event has been held at the eight-rink stadium – the first was in 2018 when the women’s singles champion was Alison Merrien MBE, Guernsey, who just happens to be the reigning champion following her success at the 2026 event at Ocean Grove BC, Victoria, Australia.

She will be invited to defend her title in England – and bid to win it for a record-breaking sixth time. Current men’s winner Iain McLean, of Scotland, the current World Bowls Series No 3 ranked player, will also receive an invitation.

World Bowls CEO Neil Dalrymple said the World Indoor Bowls Championship represents the pinnacle of an indoor bowls competition, ensuring the world’s best athletes compete for international honours.

“World Bowls is delighted to confirm that the 2027 World Bowls Indoor Championship will be hosted by Hartlepool and District Indoor Bowls Club in England. Hartlepool has a strong reputation for delivering outstanding indoor bowls events and provides an excellent venue for athletes, officials and supporters from around the world.

“We are grateful to the International Indoor Bowls Council (IIBC) and the English Indoor Bowling Association (EIBA) for their support and collaboration in securing this championship. Their commitment to the continued growth and success of indoor bowls has been invaluable.

“The World Bowls Indoor Championship provides an important opportunity to showcase the very best of our sport on the international stage, and we look forward to welcoming competitors from across our membership to England in May 2027 for what promises to be a memorable championship.”

EIBA chief executive Peter Thompson welcomed the announcement saying: “The English Indoor Bowling Association are delighted to host the World Bowls Indoor Championship in May 2027.

“Having hosted the inaugural Championships in 2022, in Bristol, we know how the event brings top class bowlers from around the world and the level of skill and competition is of the highest calibre.

“We are appreciative of Hartlepool Indoor Bowls Club, who have agreed to be the host venue and looking forward to working with them in hosting the week-long tournament and more importantly ensuring the World Bowls Indoor Championship leaves a positive legacy for the sport of Indoor Bowls.”

Gordon Woods, of the IIBC, added: “On behalf of the executive committee and member nation authorities of the International Indoor Bowls Council, we are delighted to again partner with World Bowls for what promises to be a real spectacle event in the world of bowling.

Ocean Grove in Victoria, Australia, were superb hosts this year and we are sure that Hartlepool IBC will take up the challenge this year to grow this event even more as hosts. This truly is a global event and shows the world organisations working together.

The winner of the singles events will receive an invite to the World Bowls Tour event at Potters in January 2028 and together with World Bowls Series ranking points, there’s a lot to play for.”