The National Bowls Finals at Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa, are the highlight of the bowls season for many within the bowls community – be they Victoria Park debutants, regular qualifiers, supporters or volunteers.

Creating the best possible venue for players and spectators requires significant expenditure from both Warwick District Council, to maintain the five greens to the highest possible standard, and Bowls England.

However, as with all areas of life, the costs associated with hosting the National Bowls Finals are rapidly increasing. From 2027 we shall be paying green hire to Warwick District Council for the 19-day event and face rising costs for essential services such as security, cleaning, toilets and first aid provision.

In addition, the contribution from Warwick District Council in support of the event is reducing year-on-year due to its own financial constraints, and will be phased out entirely by 2028, meaning further budgetary pressures on both our income and expenditure.

It is in our sport’s best interests to ensure the long-term health of Victoria Park, in order that we can preserve our National Bowls Finals at this great venue and deliver an event that has significance and standing.

To do this, we have concluded that there is a need to increase entry fee income. For the 2027 season, the Board has resolved that the Bowls England Championship fee will be set at £5.50, not the £4.20 communicated to County Associations in October 2025.

We will review this moving forwards and hope that we secure a title sponsor for the National Bowls Finals, and that the event is well supported through ticket sales to reduce the likelihood for further price rises above inflation.

In the longer-term, we are working hard to agree a new relationship with Warwick District Council for use of the venue and resolve some systemic challenges, which make it difficult for us to maximise our events.