World lawn and indoor bowls events explained

These are the premier International Bowls Events between national bowls organisations affiliated to World Bowls, the PBA, World Bowls Tour and the IIBC.

Calendar

width=400Eventwidth=100Next editionwidth=300Venuewidth=300Dates
European Bowls Championships (outdoor) 2024 Ayr 3–8 September 2024
Scottish International Open (indoor) 2024 Livingston, West Lothian 5–7 November 2024
Hong Kong International Bowls Classic (outdoor) Hong Kong 9–17 November 2024
World Singles Champion of Champions (outdoor) Auckland 25–30 November 2024
IIBC Championships (indoor U25) tba December 2024
World Indoor Bowls Championships (indoor) YarmouthJanuary 2025
World Bowls Indoor Championships (indoor) tba April 2025
16th Asian Lawn Bowls Championship (outdoor) 2025/2026 tba 2025/2026
Southeast Asian Games (outdoor) Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla 2025
World Outdoor Bowls Championships (outdoor) Hong Kong 2025
Commonwealth Games (outdoor) 2026 tba 17 – 29 Mar 2026

World Outdoor Bowls Championships

See main article: article and World Bowls Championship.

The sport's premier event and organised by World Bowls. First held in 1966, the World Outdoor Bowls Championships for men and women are held every 4 years. From 2008 the men's and women's events are held together. Qualifying national bowls organisations (usually countries) are represented by a team of 5 players, who play once as a single and a four, then again as a pair and a triple. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded in each of the 4 disciplines, and there is also a trophy for the best overall team — the Leonard Trophy for men and the Taylor Trophy for women.[1] [2]

Commonwealth Games

See main article: article and Lawn bowls at the Commonwealth Games.

Organised by the Commonwealth Games Federation. First held in 1930, the Commonwealth Games Bowls Championships for men and women are held every 4 years. Women's events were added from 1982. Four gold medals are competed for in the singles, pairs, triples and fours.

World Indoor Bowls Championships

See main article: article and World Indoor Bowls Championships.

One of two World Championship indoor events. Organised by the PBA/World Bowls Tour. First held in 1979, the World Indoor Bowls Championships for men and women are held every year. There are currently five events, the open singles, the open pairs, the women's singles, the mixed pairs and open under-25 singles.[3] [2] It is currently organised by the Professional Bowls Association and the World Bowls Tour and involves mainly Northern Hemisphere nations.

World Bowls Indoor Championship

See main article: article and World Bowls Indoor Championships.

One of two World Championship indoor events. Organised jointly by World Bowls and the IIBC. A new event starting in 2022 (a merger of the former World Cup Singles and IIBC championships. Rival competition to the PBA and WBT event listed above.

World Singles Champion of Champions

See main article: article and World Singles Champion of Champions.

Organised by World Bowls. A leading outdoor event held annually between the winners of the respective National Championships.

Pacific Games

See main article: article and Lawn bowls at the Pacific Games.

Organised by Pacific Games Council. A leading outdoor event held every four years between the Pacific Islands nations as part of the Pacific Games.

Southeast Asian Games

See main article: article and Lawn bowls at the Southeast Asian Games.

Organised by Southeast Asian Games Federation. A leading outdoor event held every two years between the Southeast Asian nations as part of the Southeast Asian Games.

Asian Lawn Bowls Championship

See main article: article and Asian Lawn Bowls Championship.

Organised by World Bowls. A leading outdoor event held annually between the Asian nations.

European Bowls Championships

See main article: article and European Bowls Championships.

Organised by Bowls Europe Ltd. A leading outdoor event held annually between European nations.

National Championships

See main article: article and Lawn bowls National Championships.

Other leading events

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Christchurch takes centre stage. World Bowls.
  2. Book: Sullivan, Patrick. Guinness Bowls Records. 1986. Guinness Superlatives Ltd. 0-85112-414-3.
  3. Web site: World Indoor Bowls Championships 2018: Schedule and BBC coverage. BBC Sport.