The National Bowls Finals are the pinnacle of the outdoor season in England, and a celebration of the very best players, moments of pride, brilliant performances and everything that makes our sport special.

We’ve worked hard to improve the Finals experience for players and spectators alike over the past few years and to create a showpiece event that our sport and everyone attending can feel proud of. Delivering a quality 19-day event with over 3000 competitors, however, comes with significant costs.

Bowls England relies on a range of income streams to ensure the National Bowls Finals can continue to grow and thrive. Ticket sales are a vital part of that picture and every ticket purchased helps create the atmosphere that makes the event so special.

Rising Costs Affect Bowls Too

Even with ticket sales, the revenue generated does not cover the full cost of staging the National Bowls Finals. Every pound received is reinvested directly into delivering the Championships.

Like every organisation, Bowls England has seen the cost of delivering events increase significantly in recent years. Contractors, equipment hire, transport, utilities and specialist event services have all become more expensive.

At the same time, financial support from Warwick District Council is reducing year on year. While we are hugely appreciative that the Council continues to invest significantly in the venue itself, including providing world-class greens, its direct contribution towards the Championships will reduce to zero by 2028.

We also continue to look for a new title sponsor following the end of our six-figure partnership with Aviva, while restrictions at the venue limit opportunities to maximise income through food and drink sales.

Together, these changes have created a larger funding gap that must be met through ticket sales and other event income.

Where does your ticket money go?

We know it’s important to be transparent about how ticket income is used. From every £8.50 ticket (less for those who purchased early):

• 25% goes towards VAT and ticketing platform costs, including the booking platform, customer support and ticket management systems.

• 40% contributes towards the £138,000 investment into event operations, covering security and stewarding, car park management, first aid provision, cleaning, waste collection, volunteer support and the day-to-day running of the championships.

• 35% supports our £105,000 investment into event infrastructure, including spectator seating, high-quality toilets, temporary facilities, marquees, power supplies, sports equipment, site preparation and the other physical elements needed to create a safe and welcoming venue.

In total, net ticket revenue covers approximately 20% of total costs, and we provide over £25,000 of complimentary tickets as a thank-you to County Associations, officials and qualified players.

The role of competition entry fees

Competitions entry fees also support the delivery of the National Bowls Finals and contribute to other costs of delivery including umpires, prize money, the competition portal, British Bowls Championships and staff time. Like affiliation income and commercial, they also play their part in supporting areas of the business that are not directly income generating such as communications, business operations and international bowls. All this is outlined in our Annual Report.

Keeping bowls affordable

We remain committed to making the National Bowls Finals accessible and affordable, and we believe a ticket offers excellent value for money, providing a full day of watching the very best bowls in the country. The more successful the Championships are, the more we can protect the affordability of playing the sport itself.

While competition entry fees have increased to support the National Bowls Finals and as part of our wider financial planning, our aim is to minimise future increases wherever possible. Strong ticket sales help us do exactly that. They also create a better atmosphere for players, increase spending within the venue and demonstrate to potential sponsors that bowls is a thriving sport with an engaged audience.

Every spectator makes a difference

Buying a ticket is about much more than securing a seat. It is an investment in the future of the National Bowls Finals and the continued development of our sport. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supports the Championships and allows us to continue delivering an event that celebrates the very best of bowls while inspiring the next generation to become part of our sport.

Thank you for helping us ensure the National Bowls Finals remain something we can all be proud of, both this year and for many years to come.

Haven’t got your tickets to the National Bowls Finals yet?

Purchase them herebit.ly/NBF26-Tickets