World Bowls Series Finals 2026

The second edition of the World Bowls Series (WBS) Finals will be staged in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 30th November to 4th December, 2026.

In December 2025, Gary Kelly (Northern Ireland), and Dawn Hayman (Australia), were crowed the inaugural WBS Finals Champions.

This year, 24 top ranked bowlers from around the globe will be heading to the famous Bukit Kiara Stadium in Malaysia for the 2026 WBS Finals – proud hosts of the 1988 Commonwealth Games and the inaugural World Cup in 2025.​

Player Eligibility

Top 10 ranked male and female players (as of 31 October 2026) will be invited.

A further two male and two female players will receive wildcard invitations, based on rankings and performances in 2026 events.

The final field of 24 players will be confirmed no later than 9th November 2026.

Voices on the Finals

Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz, President of Bowls Malaysia:

“Hosting the 2026 World Bowls Series Finals is a great honour for Bowls Malaysia. We sincerely appreciate the confidence shown by World Bowls and value the opportunity to strengthen our partnership through this event. Together, we will deliver an outstanding championship while sharing the warmth and hospitality of Malaysia with the international bowls community.”

Neil Dalrymple, CEO of World Bowls:

“The World Bowls Series Finals represents the pinnacle of our global rankings system, bringing together the very best players from across the sport to compete for the ultimate year-ending honours.

We are delighted to take the 2026 Finals to Malaysia, a nation with a proud bowls history, outstanding facilities and a proven ability to host world-class international events. The success of the recent World Cup in Kuala Lumpur gives us great confidence that players, officials and fans will enjoy an exceptional experience. We look forward to partnering with Bowls Malaysia to showcase our sport on the global stage and crown the 2026 World No. 1 male and female players.”

Event Field Confirmation Timeline

Qualification Stage

  • Top 20 invitations & 4 wildcard invitations sent: 1st November

  • Registration deadline: 6th November

  • If any players decline, the next highest ranked players will be invited.

Final Field Confirmed: 9th November

About WBS Rankings

Launched in 2024, the World Bowls Series is the official global ranking system for bowls. It is a joint venture between World Bowls and Tier 5 Ventures.

  • The 2026 calendar features 43 sanctioned events across multiple tiers.

  • Each tier carries different ranking points based on the scale and stature of the event.

  • Rankings provide a clear, year-long pathway to determine the world’s best players.

The aim of the WBS is to:

  • Build the profile of bowls worldwide

  • Showcase the best players on the global stage

  • Create earning opportunities for players

  • Increase visibility and legitimacy for the sport

📧 For more information:
Neil Dalrymple, CEO World Bowls – ceo@worldbowls.com