The Canadian Short Mat Bowls Association (CSMBA) is proud to announce that Canada has been selected to host the 2028 World Short Mat Bowls Championships in Hamilton, Ontario. In a historic milestone for the event, the Championships will be staged outside of Europe for the first time, bringing the world’s top Short Mat Bowls athletes to Canadian soil.

In addition to hosting the championships, Canada will field a strong national contingent of 20 elite athletes who have earned their place on Team Canada through demonstrated playability, mental acuity, and team compatibility.

CSMBA President Dave Burrows is enthusiastic about Canada being selected as host nation and optimistic about the country’s growing competitiveness on the world stage.

“Hosting the World Championships in Canada is a tremendous milestone for our sport,” said Burrows. “Since first competing internationally in England in 2016, Team Canada has steadily narrowed the gap with some of the world’s most experienced Short Mat nations from the UK and Europe. We believe 2028 will showcase just how far Canada has come.”

Canada is expecting approximately 15 nations to attend, bringing more than 300 athletes, coaches, managers, umpires, and supporters to Hamilton. For many competitors, representing their country at the World Championships is both a tremendous honour and an opportunity to experience the sights, culture, and hospitality of Ontario and Canada.

Bowls Canada Boulingrin (BCB) recognizes the 2028 World Short Mat Bowls Championships as an important opportunity for bowls in Canada.

BCB CEO Britany Gordon highlighted the significance of bringing a world-class international bowls event to Canada. “Hosting the 2028 World Championships is an exciting opportunity not only for Short Mat Bowls, but for the sport of bowls across Canada as a whole,” said Gordon. “Welcoming athletes and supporters from around the world to Canada is something the entire bowls community can take pride in.”

Short Mat Bowls has enjoyed tremendous success throughout the UK and Europe for decades and is ideally suited for countries with cold, hot, or unpredictable weather because it can be played indoors year-round. The format is highly accessible and affordable, making it an excellent recreational and competitive sport for communities of all sizes.

A variation of outdoor Lawn Bowls, Short Mat Bowls is played on a 45-foot mat and demands precision, concentration, focus, and dexterity. With rules similar to outdoor Lawn Bowls, the sport is easy to learn, challenging to master, and highly social in nature. The International administration of the sport is governed by the World Short Bowls Council (WSMBC).

For Media Inquires: Ian Howard, CSMBA Director email 3KO.ent@gmail.com 416 618 0798