Tournaments &
Legends

The biggest stages in world bowls and the greatest players who have graced them.

Major World Events

World Outdoor Bowls Championship

Premier

The sport's premier outdoor event organised by World Bowls. First held in 1966 in Sydney, it is held every four years with 41+ nations competing in singles, pairs, triples, and fours. The Leonard Trophy (men) and Taylor Trophy (women) are awarded to the best overall team. Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland compete as a combined Irish team.

📅 Every 4 years🌍 Rotating host nation

World Indoor Bowls Championship

Indoor

Held annually at Potters Leisure Resort, Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk, England. Broadcast live on BBC television. Features men's singles, women's singles, open pairs, and mixed pairs. Alex Marshall MBE holds the men's singles record with 6 titles; Katherine Rednall leads the women with 7. Stewart Anderson won in 2024 for his third title.

📅 January annually📺 BBC broadcast🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Norfolk, England

Commonwealth Games Bowls

Outdoor

Bowls has been part of the Commonwealth Games since its inaugural edition in 1930, making it one of only a handful of sports present from the very beginning. Women's events were added in 1982. Four gold medals are competed for in singles, pairs, triples, and fours.

📅 Every 4 years🏅 Gold, Silver, Bronze

World Bowls Champion of Champions

Annual

A prestigious annual singles event where national club champions from around 30 nations compete. To qualify, players must win their club championship, then their national champion of champions title. Carries platinum World Bowls Series ranking points. In 2024, the event was held at Browns Bay Bowling Club in New Zealand.

📅 November–December🌍 Rotating host

Legends of the Game

  • 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    Alex Marshall MBE

    6× World Indoor Singles champion. The most decorated indoor bowler in history over two decades at the top.

    Scotland
  • 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

    Katherine Rednall

    7× World Indoor Women's Singles champion. Dominant in the women's game for over a decade.

    England
  • 🇦🇺

    Ryan Bester

    2023 World Outdoor Champion. One of the world's most powerful drivers. Known as a match-winner in major finals.

    Australia
  • 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    Paul Foster MBE

    5× World Indoor Singles champion, 11 total WBT titles. Multiple Commonwealth Games gold medallist.

    Scotland
  • 🇦🇺

    Steve Glasson

    World No.1 ranked 1997–2005. Won 19 Australian Championships. First Australian to hold the world #1 ranking.

    Australia
  • 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

    Robert Weale

    The only player to win both World Indoor and World Outdoor singles titles. Multiple Commonwealth Games medallist.

    Wales
  • 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    David Gourlay

    11 World Bowls Tour titles. World Indoor Singles champion 1996. Represented both Scotland and Australia.

    Scotland / Australia