2025 will see an exciting new World Bowls event. The inaugural World Cup will be hosted by Hong Kong, China in November.
It will be a gold sanctioned event on the World Bowls Series calendar and is planned to be played every four years.
Twelve countries are to be invited to participate, the host country – Hong Kong, China plus the 11th highest overall countries from the 2023 World Championships – Australia, Canada, England, India, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, USA and Wales.
Format is six person teams – two open women, two open men, two physical or VI paras (one of each gender) competing in singles and pairs making six events in total.
Hong Kong Football Club, one of the most iconic sporting clubs in Asia, recent venue for the World Bowls Indoor Junior Championships, the nearby Craigengower Cricket Club and possibly other clubs in Hong Kong, China will be the venues for this event and a mixture of indoor and outdoor venues will be used.
Playing dates for the championships are Tuesday-Saturday, November 4-8.
TV/streaming coverage will occur on each day of play.
In announcing the new World Cup event, Neil Dalrymple, CEO of World Bowls said: “World Bowls is very pleased to advise that the inaugural World Cup will be hosted by Hong Kong, China in 2025.
“This is an important event for the sport globally with an objective to deliver an event that attracts strong broadcast and media exposure that will assist in improving the profile and standing of the sport across the world.
“This will be a unique event featuring para and able bowlers in a teams event played under a short and fast sets play format.
“The twelve (12) highest ranked countries (from the 2023 World Championship) have been invited and teams will consist of six (6) bowlers per team.
“The World Cup will be a Gold sanctioned event on the World Bowls Series calendar and is planned to be staged every four years, commencing in 2025.
“I acknowledge the Lawn Bowls Association Hong Kong, China (LBAHKC) for agreeing to host, fund and support the staging of this inaugural event.”
Vincent Cheung, president of the Lawn Bowls Association of Hong Kong, China, added: “Hong Kong is thrilled to be chosen as the host for the inaugural World Cup. This event is a proactive step to bring lawn bowls competition to a new level, allowing elite players from top bowling countries/region to showcase their talent against the best bowlers in the world. We look forward to welcoming all the participants and encourage them to take time to explore the beautiful Hong Kong.”
Hong Kong is experienced in hosting inaugural competitions, including the first Asian Championship in 2001and the World Cup Indoor Singles and World Cup Junior Indoor Singles in 2004. All events went on to become key items on the bowls calendar.
World Bowls Series website
For more information, contact Neil Dalrymple, World Bowls CEO, [email protected]
Ceris Hewlings, World Bowls media officer
