World Bowls has made a powerful start to 2026, with significant progress across international events, global development, and commercial growth positioning the sport for a landmark year ahead.
Preparations are well underway for a series of major events in 2026, including the World Bowls Indoor Championships, Champion of Champions, and the World Bowls Junior Indoor Championships. These events are set to highlight the sport’s global reach and showcase emerging and elite talent from across the world.
A key milestone for the international calendar has also been secured, with Bowls England confirmed as host of the 2027 World Championships.
World Bowls continues to work closely with Commonwealth Sport and event organisers in the lead-up to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with a strong focus on delivering a world-class competition and expanding the sport’s global broadcast presence.
Growth remains a central priority, with World Bowls advancing initiatives to support emerging nations through new membership pathways, coaching and education programs via the World Bowls Academy, and targeted equipment and high-performance support.
Digital engagement continues to surge, with millions of views recorded across World Bowls platforms in recent months. A new Media and Communications Plan will further strengthen the sport’s global visibility, supported by ongoing exploration of new broadcast partnerships and production opportunities.
The World Bowls Series is also set for expansion in 2026, with up to 40 events planned globally. New formats and categories—including development-level competitions and WBS Prime for players aged 55+—are being introduced to broaden participation and engage new audiences.
World Bowls is also strengthening its collaboration with key international organisations, including the International Paralympic Committee and Virtus, supporting the continued development of para bowls and reinforcing the sport’s global ambitions.
World Bowls CEO Neil Dalrymple said: “We’ve made a strong start to 2026, with real momentum building across all areas of our sport—from international events and partnerships through to participation and digital growth.
“As we look ahead to Glasgow 2026 and beyond, our focus remains on delivering world-class experiences, expanding our global reach, and creating new opportunities for players and fans at every level of the game.”
With a full calendar of events, expanding global engagement, and continued strategic progress, World Bowls is well positioned to deliver a transformative year for the sport in 2026.
Media Contact:
Ceris Hewlings
