Competition is the best way to challenge yourself and develop your skills, all the while meeting new people and fostering those team relationships. Whether you are a regular competitor or new to our sport we have plenty of opportunities for you to get involved. The National Bowls Championships has something for everyone – with a refreshed competitive structure, we hope to see even more people competing, connecting with communities and bidding for a coveted National title.
With competitive opportunities for all, why not challenge yourself this season? Enter from 4th December or find out more about what is on offer across each of our new championship pillars, below.
Please note, U17 Singles and Disability events will be open for entries at a later date. Check online or across our social channels for more information.
Every sport has its ultimate prize – the pinnacle at the top of the pyramid for players at all levels. Golf’s crown jewel is The Open, Tennis has the Wimbledon Championships and Badminton players strive to win the All England Open. It is only right that bowls has its equivalent north star for English bowlers and events that in future are recognised beyond the bowls community.
Find out more about Blue Riband competitions, eligibility and format information.
One of the purposes of domestic play is to provide a springboard to the next level of competition, international. These events are the highest quality of junior and inter-county team competition, delivering great sport in their own right but also best preparing players to represent their country.
Find out more about Performance competitions, eligibility and format information.
Competitive sport is about shared experiences, friendships and memories that last a lifetime. These events are intended to enrich the enjoyment of players at County and Club level.
Find out more about Team Spirit competitions, eligibility and format information.
It is critical if we are to continue reversing the decline in bowls participation that our national competitions programme works as hard as possible to inspire new players and also acts as a stepping stone for existing players to deepen their relationship with our sport. To achieve this, events must be accessible, relevant to that person’s age and provide a fair test of their ability.
Find out more about Participation competitions, eligibility and format information.
Pricing
Please find entry price details here. Note that events entered via county associations may be subject to additional fees levied by the respective county.
Prize Money
The total budget for cash and value-in-kind prizes in 2025 is more than £45,000.
In line with our vision to elevate Blue Riband events, the prize money is aligned to those events and has been increased in comparison to 2024, with a total prize fund of £26,000 in those events (which includes disability events, details of which will be published in Spring 2025). Semi-finalists in all these events will also receive prize money.
A further £8,000 will be paid to the finalists and semi-finalists in the Balcomb Trophy, White Rose Trophy, Walker Cup and Amy Rose Bowl, in recognition of their importance to the performance pathway.
The remaining budget will cover contributions to support all of our representatives attending the World Champion of Champions, British Bowls Championships – a total of nearly £10,000. The remaining monies will be used to cover trophies, engraving and pennants.
No cash prizes will be paid in any other events, as our research shows that this is not a major motivator to enter for the vast majority of players.
Please find the 2025 National Bowls Championships Prize Money list here.
Aviva National Bowls Finals
The Aviva National Bowls Finals are the pinnacle of the bowls season, bringing together the players from across the country to compete for national glory. Held at the iconic Victoria Park in Royal Leamington Spa, this prestigious event showcases thrilling competition, unforgettable moments, and the very best of our sport.
Whether you’re aiming to make your mark on the national stage or simply dreaming of being part of the action, the journey starts with your entry into the National Bowls Championships. Could this be your year to shine at the Aviva National Bowls Finals?
Schedule
Potential Duplications
The Aviva National Bowls Finals schedule for 2025 has been developed to deliver against the outcome of the competitions review.
Core principles included:
- No duplications for Blue Riband and Performance events – potential duplications will be avoided through the flexibility of split sessions in early stages should players be in two Blue Riband/Performance events on the same day
- Minimise other potential duplications
- Avoid giving one player/team ‘competitive advantage’ wherever possible
Additional considerations included:
- Availability of markers/umpires
- Greens usage and availability
- Utilise weekends for all inter-county events
- Minimise travel and accommodation for players per event where possible
Whilst potential duplications are inevitable at this stage, the risk has been greatly reduced in comparison to previous years.
We encourage all players to review the schedule prior to entry in order to avoid disappointment – details of potential duplications in all events are included on the relevant page of the Competitions Portal.
Entrants are reminded that should a duplication occur during the Aviva National Bowls Finals priority will be given to Blue Riband and Performance events. Substitutes/and or other squad members as relevant will be required in Team Spirit and Participation events should a duplication occur.
New Competitions for 2025
New for 2025, the Men’s and Women’s Foundation Pairs will provide an opportunity for current bowlers that have never qualified for the Nationals Bowls Finals and new bowlers to participate in an event dedicated to them.
Eligibility
- One player who has never played at the National Bowls Finals in listed events AND one player who has less than three years bowling experience;
- One player who has never played at the National Bowls Finals in listed events AND one player aged under 17 on 1 April 2025;
- One player who has less than three years bowling experience AND one player aged under 17 on 1 April 2025;
- Two players with less than three years bowling experience;
- Two players aged under 17 on 1 April 2025;
What’s more, precluding current county and international players from events including the Family Pairs and the Foundation Pairs will ensure that those competitions aimed at grassroots players will be more equitable and therefore more inclusive.
The introduction of an U17s Singles event for boys and girls will enable young players to better move along the performance pathway and will encourage an environment for talent identification and international selection. For 2025, Bowls England will also manage Disability Events. Please note, U17 Singles and Disability events will be open for entries at a later date.
Also new for 2025 is the Over 60 Mixed Inter-County team event, which will provide an opportunity for our core audience to enjoy the thrill of representing their county and bid for a place at the Aviva National Bowls Finals. This will provide inter-county representative play for those who may no longer participate in other county events or have never had that opportunity, retains more people in senior competitions and meets the growing demand for mixed bowls.
Rules and Regulations
New look
Bowls England is excited to launch a new look and feel for competitive bowls in England, which aims to create a clear and modern brand for the competition structure.
The new brand creates a consistent look across the entire competitive season, showcasing the journey from the start of the season through to its pinnacle, the National Finals. Within the brand identity are four pillars of events that will attractive their respective target audiences, from the youth pathway supporting competitions through to those targeting older generations who are looking for healthy competition alongside the inclusive community bowls for which is so well known.
The term National Bowls Championships covers all events whether they are run by Counties in the preliminary stages, or administered by Bowls England throughout.
FAQs