One of Europe’s biggest bowling tournaments is getting ready to return toHelsingborg, Sweden. The Storm Lucky Larsen Masters 2026 will take place from August 21 to August31 at Olympia Bowling, once again bringing together top bowling stars,European talents and bowling fans for one of the most exciting bowling eventsin the world. The Storm Lucky Larsen Masters 2026 As the only PBA Tour title event held outside the United States, thetournament offers bowlers across Europe a rare chance to compete for a PBAtitle without crossing the Atlantic. This year’s event also comes with several important updates. Organizers haveannounced a record prize fund, registration details, a new jersey designconnected to a good cause, and the tournament’s role in the 2026 ThunderRanking by Storm. Storm Lucky Larsen Masters 2026 Registration is Now Open! Don't miss your chance to compete in one of Europe's most prestigious events. Spots are filling up fast, so secure your place on the lanes today! Register Now Registration Now Open Players can now secure their spot for the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters 2026. Registration opened on April 1 at 6:00 PM Central European Time, with entries available through the official tournament website. official tournament website. In 2025, the event attracted 376 players in Helsingborg, and organizers are expecting to hit that number this year. Biggest Prize Fund in Tournament History The 2026 edition will feature the biggest prize fund in Storm Lucky LarsenMasters history. The minimum total prize fund has been set at $148,500 (1,400,000 SEK). Firstplace will pay $20,150, while the runner-up will receive $13,800. Third andfourth place will each earn $10,000. The payout will extend all the way down to 55th place, which will receive$850, giving a large part of the field something important to compete forthroughout the event. Total Prize Fund $148,500 (1,400,000 SEK) First Place $20,150 + PBA National Title Tournament Format The format for Storm Lucky Larsen Masters 2026 keeps the same style as inprevious years, but with one major twist. Competitors bowl six qualifying games. Unlike other PBA Tour events,unlimited re-entries are allowed during the qualification stages. Afterqualification, the field is cut to the top 55. The top 25 advance straight to Final Step 2. The other 30 bowl a five-gamescratch block in Final Step 1 to decide the top 15 who move on. In Final Step2, 40 players bowl six games scratch to determine the top 16. From there, the top 16 bowl one three-game total-pinfall match in the1/8-Finals and 1/4-Finals to decide the four semi-finalists. Single-gamematches in the semi-finals and final determine the champion and PBA Tourtitle winner. There is, however, one important change for 2026. The Final 4 will take placeon Monday instead of Sunday, offering a fresh format designed to put morefocus on the top contenders and create a stronger show on the closing day. "After many discussions and evaluations, we have decided to take the nextstep in our journey with SLLM," said Patrick Backe, one of the tournamentorganizers. "We’ve realized that our tournament needs better opportunities tomake the final days as strong as possible. Therefore, in 2026, we will improvethe Sunday final day and then maximize everything for the top four, who willinstead compete on Monday evening." New Jersey Supports a Good Cause This year, the design of the official tournament jersey returns to thetournament’s traditional blue colors. At the same time, the jersey alsocarries extra meaning. Storm Lucky Larsen Masters continues its tradition of supportingorganizations that work for a good cause. In 2026, part of the sales fromofficial merchandise will go toTYP 1 KAMPEN,which works for a future without child diabetes. TYP 1 KAMPEN For every official tournament jersey sold, 100 SEK will be donated. For everyt-shirt sold, 50 SEK will be donated. Anyone who wants to order the new jersey can already do so through theofficial tournament website. official tournament website Part of the 2026 Thunder Ranking by Storm Storm Lucky Larsen Masters 2026 will also play an important role in the 2026Thunder Ranking by Storm. The special ranking includes three Storm events in Europe: Storm 4th NoUrethane Open, Storm Lucky Larsen Masters, and Norwegian Open by Storm. Players who compete in these events will have the chance to earn additionalprizes through the ranking. On top of that, nine bowlers will earn a ThunderRanking 2027 exemption, which means a free first squad in all three events in2027. According to the organizers, the value of that exemption is approximately400 to 450 euros. Want to learn more about the benefits of the new Thunder Ranking by Storm?We covered it in one of our articles back in January. We covered it in one of our articles back in January Storm Lucky Larsen Masters 2026 Registration is officially open. Secure your spot today! Register Now No One Won It Twice The list of past champions also says a lot about the level of the Storm LuckyLarsen Masters. Past winners include Jason Belmonte in 2017, Kyle Troup in 2018, CarstenHansen in 2019, Mathias Ankerdal in 2022, AJ Johnson in 2023, Jesper Svensson in 2024 and Sean Rash in 2025. AJ Johnson in 2023 Jesper Svensson in 2024 What makes that list even more interesting is that no player has ever won thetitle twice. Last year, PBA Hall of Famer Sean Rash ended the 2025 PBA Tour season bywinning his 18th career title in Helsingborg,Sweden. It was also his first PBA Tour title in four years, since the 2021PBA Chesapeake Open. winning his 18th career title in Helsingborg That history adds another layer to this year’s event. A new champion couldonce again be crowned in August, or one of the previous winners could try tobecome the first player to ever lift the trophy twice. More Details Will Be Announced Closer to the Event With registration opening soon, a record prize fund, a well-known format andseveral extra storylines around the event, there are already many reasons forplayers and fans to keep a close eye on what is coming next. The tournament organizers have also arranged special hotel deals for Storm Lucky Larsen Masters participants. Elite Hotels are offering discounted rates for all SLLM bowlers and fans, which can be found on the official SLLM website. official SLLM website. More details will be announced as the tournament approaches, so make sure tofollow Storm Lucky Larsen Masters onInstagram,Facebook,andYouTubeto stay updated. Instagram Facebook YouTube {"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "FAQPage","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "When is the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters 2026?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The Storm Lucky Larsen Masters (SLLM) 2026 will take place from August 21 to August 31, 2026, at Olympia Bowling in Helsingborg, Sweden."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "How can I register for the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters 2026?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Registration for SLLM 2026 opens on April 1, 2026, at 6:00 PM CET. Players can secure their spot through the official tournament website at luckylarsen.se."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "What is the prize fund for SLLM 2026?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The 2026 edition features a record-breaking minimum prize fund of $148,500 (1.4 million SEK), with $20,150 awarded to the first-place winner along with a PBA National Title."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Is the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters a PBA Tour event?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Yes, the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters is currently the only PBA Tour title event held outside of the United States, allowing players to earn a PBA National Title in Europe."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "What is the new format change for the 2026 SLLM finals?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "For the first time, the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters will move its Top 4 'Final Step' matches to Monday evening to maximize the spotlight on the championship contenders."}}]}{"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "NewsArticle","headline": "Storm Lucky Larsen Masters 2026: Record Prize Fund and New Monday Finals","description": "Registration for the 2026 SLLM opens April 1. 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The 6th annual NAIA Men’s Bowling National Championship wrapped up today at Royal Scot Lanes in Lansing, Michigan. In a very intense final, Mount Mercy (Iowa) took home their first-ever Red Banner by defeating the defending champions, Marian (Ind.). Mount Mercy (Iowa) Marian (Ind.) This year marked the debut of the "Mega Match" format in the winner's bracket, providing a massive test for the 12-team field across three days of competition. The Championship Finale: Mount Mercy vs. Marian The final match was a clash between the tournament's top seed and the reigning champs. Because it was a Mega Match, the teams had to battle for three separate points: a traditional team game, a five-game Baker total, and a Best-of-7 Baker tiebreaker. Set 1 (Traditional Game): Marian jumped out to an early lead, winning 1056 to 1027. Hayden Fowler was the star for Marian, shooting 259. Blake Walsh led the Mustangs with a 232.Set 2 (5-Game Baker Total): Mount Mercy answered back immediately. They found their look on the pair and outscored Marian 1095 to 988, tying the match 1-1.Set 3 (Best-of-7 Baker Matchplay): With the title on the line, Mount Mercy took control. After dropping the first game, they won four straight to win the set 4-1 and claim the championship. Set 1 (Traditional Game): Marian jumped out to an early lead, winning 1056 to 1027. Hayden Fowler was the star for Marian, shooting 259. Blake Walsh led the Mustangs with a 232. Set 1 (Traditional Game): Set 2 (5-Game Baker Total): Mount Mercy answered back immediately. They found their look on the pair and outscored Marian 1095 to 988, tying the match 1-1. Set 2 (5-Game Baker Total): Set 3 (Best-of-7 Baker Matchplay): With the title on the line, Mount Mercy took control. After dropping the first game, they won four straight to win the set 4-1 and claim the championship. Set 3 (Best-of-7 Baker Matchplay): Championship Lineups & Traditional Scores Here is how the individuals performed in the opening traditional team game of the National Championship match: Mount Mercy (Iowa)ScoreMarian (Ind.)ScoreBlake Walsh232Hayden Fowler259Keaton Ostrowski207Cayleb Carey246Jacob Bockstie201Jacob Neubauer202Keegan Alexander199Maxwell Berche175Andru Blaney188Kyle Toyias174Team Total1027Team Total1056 Mount Mercy (Iowa)ScoreMarian (Ind.)Score Mount Mercy (Iowa) Score Marian (Ind.) Score Blake Walsh232Hayden Fowler259Keaton Ostrowski207Cayleb Carey246Jacob Bockstie201Jacob Neubauer202Keegan Alexander199Maxwell Berche175Andru Blaney188Kyle Toyias174Team Total1027Team Total1056 Blake Walsh232Hayden Fowler259 Blake Walsh 232 Hayden Fowler 259 Keaton Ostrowski207Cayleb Carey246 Keaton Ostrowski 207 Cayleb Carey 246 Jacob Bockstie201Jacob Neubauer202 Jacob Bockstie 201 Jacob Neubauer 202 Keegan Alexander199Maxwell Berche175 Keegan Alexander 199 Maxwell Berche 175 Andru Blaney188Kyle Toyias174 Andru Blaney 188 Kyle Toyias 174 Team Total1027Team Total1056 Team Total 1027 Team Total 1056 Championship Matchplay Scores (Best-of-7) GameMount MercyMarian (Ind.)Game 1156201Game 2174150Game 3254161Game 4225205Game 5238186 GameMount MercyMarian (Ind.) Game Mount Mercy Marian (Ind.) Game 1156201Game 2174150Game 3254161Game 4225205Game 5238186 Game 1156201 Game 1 156 201 Game 2174150 Game 2 174 150 Game 3254161 Game 3 254 161 Game 4225205 Game 4 225 205 Game 5238186 Game 5 238 186 Full Tournament Results & Bracket Below is the complete journey for all 12 teams through the Red and Blue brackets during the 2026 Championships. Credit: naia.org naia.org Drama in the Elimination Bracket: The SCAD Controversy While the finals provided plenty of excitement, a controversial moment happened in the elimination bracket during a match between SCAD Savannah and Lawrence Tech. SCAD Savannah Lawrence Tech SCAD's Justin Bohn shared the story on social media, describing a frustrating end to his team's tournament. It started with a shot by Griffin Jordan that was "too close to call" - officials weren't sure if the pinsetter rack interfered with a pin before it fell. The controversial moment that led to a one-hour delay and a provisional shot ruling. Instead of taking a "provisional shot" immediately, the match continued. After an hour-long wait for a ruling, officials decided the shot had to be re-taken. However, by the time Griffin stepped back on the lane, the pair had already been re-oiled for the next round of matches. With no warm-up shots on the fresh pattern, Griffin left a "ring 10" and SCAD was eliminated by just one pin. "One of the most unique things I’ve seen in this sport, just stinks we were on the losing end of the match." — Justin Bohn via Social Media Justin Bohn via Social Media Championship Resources: Championship Photo GalleryChampionship Bracket Championship Program Championship Photo Gallery Championship Bracket Championship Program

The International Bowling Federation has postponed the 2026 Para Bowling WorldChampionships that were scheduled to take place in Bangkok, Thailand. BowlingLife has obtained a letter sent to member federations by IBF PresidentSheikh Talal M. Al Sabah, confirming the decision. As outlined in the letter, the event, originally planned for April 29 to May10 at Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl in Siam Paragon, will not be held asscheduled. According to IBF president, the decision was made due to the current globalsituation and increasing uncertainty surrounding international travel. The IBF pointed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as a key factorbehind the decision. Recent developments in the region have createdinstability that may affect airline operations, travel safety, and overalllogistics for international events. In the letter, the IBF president highlighted concerns about potential airspacelimitations, travel disruptions, and wider logistical issues that could affectthe safe participation of athletes, officials, and delegations. The Quick Take Postponed: The 2026 Para Bowling World Championships in Bangkok (originally April 29 – May 10) will not be held as scheduled.Safety Concerns: IBF President Sheikh Talal Al Sabah cited global instability and Middle East conflicts as major risks to international travel and logistics.Travel Risks: Potential airspace limitations and airline disruptions were key factors in ensuring the safety of athletes and delegations.Looking Ahead: The IBF is exploring new dates for the event, likely in late 2026 or early 2027. Postponed: The 2026 Para Bowling World Championships in Bangkok (originally April 29 – May 10) will not be held as scheduled. Postponed: Safety Concerns: IBF President Sheikh Talal Al Sabah cited global instability and Middle East conflicts as major risks to international travel and logistics. Safety Concerns: Travel Risks: Potential airspace limitations and airline disruptions were key factors in ensuring the safety of athletes and delegations. Travel Risks: Looking Ahead: The IBF is exploring new dates for the event, likely in late 2026 or early 2027. Looking Ahead: late 2026 or early 2027 The IBF president also acknowledged that many member federations had already investedtime and resources in preparing for the Para championships. However, as statedin the IBF announcement, the situation is beyond the control of thefederation. The IBF is now exploring options to reschedule the Para Bowling WorldChampionships to a later date, with late 2026 or early 2027 being considered. {"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/ibf-postpones-2026-para-bowling-world-championships"},"headline": "IBF Postpones 2026 Para Bowling World Championships Due to Travel Safety Concerns","description": "The IBF has officially postponed the 2026 Para Bowling World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, citing logistical risks and Middle East conflicts.","image": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/IBF_Postponement_Bangkok_2026.jpg","width": 1200,"height": 675},"datePublished": "2026-03-19T16:00:00+02:00","dateModified": "2026-03-19T16:30:00+02:00","author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Erikas Jansonas","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/author/erikas-jansonas"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"about": [{"@type": "Event","name": "Para Bowling World Championships"}],"mentions": [{"@type": "Person","name": "Sheikh Talal Al Sabah"},{"@type": "Organization","name": "International Bowling Federation"}]}

After the finalists were determined for the 2026 Intercollegiate Singles Championships last Friday, attention shifted to team competition. 2026 Intercollegiate Singles Championships last Friday The field is now complete for the 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championshipsfollowing two days of sectional qualifying held across the U.S. The advancing teams will compete for the Helmer Cup from April 15-18 at TheAshwaubenon Bowling Alley in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Sectional rounds happended across four states - Addison, Illinois; Fort Worth,Texas; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Smyrna, Tennessee. Teams bowled 64 Baker games over Saturday and Sunday, with total pinfalldetermining the four advancing men’s and women's teams at each site. In the men’s division, Mount Mercy led the Addison Sectional with 13,678. St.Ambrose followed with 13,618, Marian-Wisconsin advanced with 13,398, andSpring Arbor secured the fourth spot with 13,263. In Fort Worth, Wichita State topped the standings with 13,719. Newman finishedwith 13,199, Southern Nazarene posted 13,166, and St. Francis-Illinoisadvanced with 13,072. At the Pittsburgh Sectional, McKendree led with 12,914, followed closely byTrine with 12,901. Milligan advanced with 12,864, and Lawrence Tech securedthe final berth with 12,836. In Smyrna, Webber International paced the field with 13,666. Belmont Abbeyfinished second with 13,535, Purdue recorded 13,068, and Savannah College ofArt and Design-Savannah advanced with 13,012. On the women’s side, Maryville led Addison with 12,905. Sacred Heart followedwith 12,604, Mount Mercy posted 12,482, and Central Missouri advanced with12,255. In Fort Worth, North Carolina A&T topped the standings with 13,109.Louisiana Tech recorded 12,404, Newman finished with 12,327, and Tulanesecured the fourth spot with 11,849. In Pittsburgh, McKendree led with 12,531. St. Vincent followed at 12,181,Duquesne posted 12,089, and Trine advanced with 12,023. The highest total of sectional qualifying came in Smyrna, where JacksonvilleState rolled 14,259 to win the sectional. That two-day total over 64 Bakergames set a new sectional scoring record in the women’s division, averagingjust under 223 per game. Lindenwood finished with 12,746, Savannah College of Art and Design-Savannahrecorded 12,447, and Cumberland advanced with 12,350.Visit bowl.com for more results and updates.

The 122nd edition of the USBC Open Championships officially began Saturday atthe National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada. More than 11,000 teams will compete during this year’s USBC OpenChampionships. Competition will run for 128 consecutive days and conclude onJuly 19. The USBC Open Championships traditionally begin with a ceremonial first ball,a custom that dates back to 1951 under the title “Joe Bowler.” Last year, the event introduced the “Josephine Bowler” distinction, continuingthe long-standing tradition with a new name. This year, Vicki Larsen of Caldwell, Idaho, was selected as the 2026“Josephine Bowler” and delivered the ceremonial first shot to officially openthe tournament. Larsen rolled a nine count, leaving only the 10 pin standingto start the 122nd edition of the USBC Open Championships. Saturday also featured the traditional Mass Ball Shot, where one member fromeach team rolls a ball at the same time to officially mark the start ofcompetition. USBC Open Format Bowlers at the USBC Open Championships will compete in team, doubles andsingles events. Each participant bowls three games in each discipline, for atotal of nine games. Competition is divided into Regular, Standard andClassified divisions based on average. Titles will also be awarded in all-events, which combines the nine-gametotals. Early Leaders After the first day of competition, Storm Bowling of Fort Worth, Texas, leadsthe Regular Team division with 2,857. The team rolled games of 934, 932 and991. In the Standard Team division, Maple Family Centers 1 of Rockville Centre, NewYork, and Plaza Lanes of St. Charles, Missouri, are tied at 2,640. Hoosier Connection #2 of Brownsburg, Indiana, leads the Classified Teamdivision with 2,352. The first doubles and singles squad of the 2026 USBC Open Championships willbegin Sunday at 7 a.m. Pacific Time.

The finalists have been determined for the 2026 Intercollegiate SinglesChampionships following four sectional qualifying events held across the U.S. The national Intercollegiate event will feature 24 women and 24 men competingfor individual titles from April 13-18 at The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley inGreen Bay, Wisconsin. Sectional qualifying took place Friday in Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania andTennessee. Each competitor bowled six games. The top four women and top four men at eachlocation earned automatic spots, with additional qualifiers determined byfield size. In the men’s division in Illinois, Leland Jones led with 1,476. Tyler Closefollowed with 1,362, Nate Trentler had 1,350, and Andrew Allen posted 1,314.Connor Rogus finished with 1,312, Ryan Wenman had 1,310, while Jacob Holsteand Camryn Stefanini tied with 1,301. In Texas, Daryus Alo led with 1,393. Dmitri Richardson recorded 1,375. KaedenWhite and Bobby Habetler tied at 1,371. Brandon Handog had 1,351, and BrandonCaruso finished with 1,346. In Pennsylvania, Malakai Pettrie led with 1,317. Severo Gordon posted 1,284.Brody Wildenmann and Hayden Tarris tied at 1,272. David Schaberg also advancedwith 1,271. In Tennessee, Brady Lauber led with 1,413. Landin Jordan followed with 1,401.Joe Woods-Weisman had 1,354, Camden Malott posted 1,343, and Evan Flathrecorded 1,341. On the women’s side in Illinois, Brianna Rogers led with 1,321. Hope Bunkfinished with 1,320, Emily Newbauer had 1,274, and Katarina Hagler posted1,237. Savannah Swiatocha and Karleigh Lemond tied at 1,223. Haylee Batesfinished with 1,222, and Dannielle Henderson had 1,207. In Texas, Sara Duque led with 1,354. Ashtyn Woods recorded 1,310, DeniseBlankenzee had 1,304, Payton Hartgrove posted 1,300, and Kaylin Wahlmeierfinished with 1,291. In Pennsylvania, Kenzi Nieman led with 1,271. Sara Ritchie followed with1,269. Leah Brazier posted 1,254, Elizabeth Springsteen of Muskingum had1,227, Addysen Case of McKendree recorded 1,221, and Amelia Adams finishedwith 1,208. In Tennessee, Kaitlyn Stull led the field with 1,419. Emma Yoder posted 1,359,Gianna Brandolino had 1,355, Bricey Caudill recorded 1,340, and SaphyreNofuente finished with 1,339. After the Singles event is complete, the Team sectional competition willfollow, with total pinfall from 64 Baker games determining which programsadvance to the Intercollegiate Team Championships. The team finals will also be held in Green Bay from April 15-18. Visitbowl.comfor more information. bowl.com

CBS Sports Network will broadcast major women’s, collegiate and youth bowlingevents in 2026 as part of a 10-event television schedule. The broadcast calendar includes collegiate national championships, two livePWBA majors and four Junior Gold Championship finals. The USBC Intercollegiate Championships, taped April 18 in Green Bay,Wisconsin, will air as follows: Tuesday, April 21 – 7 p.m. ET – Intercollegiate Singles Championships(Women)Tuesday, April 28 – 9:30 p.m. ET – Intercollegiate Singles Championships(Men)Tuesday, May 5 – 7 p.m. ET – Intercollegiate Team Championships (Women)Wednesday, May 13 – 7 p.m. ET – Intercollegiate Team Championships (Men) Two PWBA majors will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network: Tuesday, May 19 – 6 p.m. ET – USBC Queens, Las VegasTuesday, June 16 – 7 p.m. ET – U.S. Women’s Open, Indianapolis The season will conclude with coverage of the USBC Junior Gold Championshipsfrom Minneapolis, taped July 18. The finals will air on consecutiveTuesdays:Tuesday, July 21 – 7 p.m. ET – Junior Gold Championships(U12)Tuesday, July 28 – 7 p.m. ET – Junior Gold Championships (U14)Tuesday,August 4 – 7 p.m. ET – Junior Gold Championships (U16)Tuesday, August 11– 7 p.m. ET – Junior Gold Championships (U18)In December, CBS and PBA announced, taht the PBA World Series of Bowling XVII will also be broadcasted on CBS and CBS Sports. In addition, all four championship rounds of PBA50 WSOB title events will air live on CBS Sports. In December, CBS and PBA announced, taht the PBA World Series of Bowling XVII will also be broadcasted on CBS and CBS Sports. all four championship rounds of PBA50 WSOB title events will air live on CBS Sports

The Philippine Bowling Federation has announced the selective adoption of the78D minimum hardness requirement for urethane bowling balls. The decision was released through an official technical bulletin. The federation stated that the measure is part of international alignment andpreparation for high performance competition. At the same time, it confirmedthat the application of the urethane standard will be limited to specificelite divisions. The 78D urethane requirement will apply to the Philippine International Open,the Philippine Open, and PBF Circuit Stops. Within these events, the rulecovers Class O and Mixed Open Masters divisions. The new rules of urethane use will also apply to selected youth elitedivisions. These include the Collegiate Division and the Majors Division whenconducted under Youth Quarterly Tournaments, Youth Annual Tournaments, and theNational Youth Championships. All other divisions are excluded from this regulation at this time. Under the equipment standard, only urethane bowling balls manufactured with aminimum hardness of 78D will be permitted in the covered divisions. Thefederation referenced the current USBC National Tournament Ineligible BallList for technical guidance. However, the official hardness measurement takenduring event inspection will determine compliance. Random hardness checks may be conducted at the discretion of the TournamentDirector or Technical Delegate. Any ball measuring below 72D during inspectionwill be declared non compliant and removed from competition. The policy will take effect beginning with the next PBF Circuit Stop qualifiedtournament following the GMTBC Open. All covered events conducted after thatdate must comply with the new urethane requirement.

Bowling lanes may soon be painted purple again. In response to the latesturethane equipment rule changes, Hammer Bowling is releasing an updatedversion of one of the most successful bowling balls ever made. The Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane 78D is set to launch on March 19, 2026,marking a new - harder - chapter for the famous Purple Hammer line. The newversion is designed to comply with current equipment rules. The ball also keeps Hammer’s thick-shell urethane construction, which has beenpart of the brand’s urethane designs for years. The original Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane became one of the most influentialbowling balls of the last decade. Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane Earlier versions of the ball changed when - and more importantly how much -urethane was used in modern bowling. Its continuous motion, strong response tosurface changes, and exceptional pin carry allowed players to score well on awide range of patterns, from very short to very long ones. In manyinternational tournaments, the game became closely associated with one ball -the Purple Hammer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bowling News • Reviews • Tips (@bowlinglife.eu) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bowling News • Reviews • Tips (@bowlinglife.eu) Largely because of this ball, organizations such as the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), International Bowling Federation (IBF), European Bowling Federation (EBF), and even the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA)introduced new or updated bowling ball hardness regulations. United States Bowling Congress (USBC) International Bowling Federation (IBF) European Bowling Federation (EBF) Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) The new Purple Hammer 78D will officially release on March 19, 2026, and itwill certainly attract attention. The only question now is whether it can comeeven close to matching the success of its predecessor.

One of bowling’s most recognizable equipment brands is coming to an end. Astatement published by the Columbia 300 confirmed that the brand will beretired. The move ends a line that has been part of bowling for more than six decades. A Long History in Bowling Columbia 300 was founded in 1960 and quickly became one of the major names inbowling equipment. Over the years, the company released many popular bowlingballs and helped shape modern bowling technology. For many bowlers, Columbia300 became known for reliable equipment used in leagues, tournaments, and proshops around the world. In the statement published on the brand’s website, the company thanked thebowlers and partners who supported the brand throughout its history. “Columbia 300 holds a special place in the history of the bowling industry andin the hearts of countless bowlers around the world,” the statement said. Several Ownership Changes Like many bowling companies, Columbia 300 went through several ownershipchanges over the years.In the early 2000s, Columbia Industries expanded its lineup by purchasingthe Track and Dyno-Thane brands.In 2007, Columbia Industries and its brands were acquired by EboniteInternational. From that point, Columbia 300 products were produced underEbonite in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.Another major change came in 2019 when Brunswick Bowling Productspurchased Ebonite International and all of its brands. Since then,Columbia 300 bowling balls have been manufactured in Brunswick-ownedfacilities. Like many bowling companies, Columbia 300 went through several ownershipchanges over the years. In the early 2000s, Columbia Industries expanded its lineup by purchasingthe Track and Dyno-Thane brands. In 2007, Columbia Industries and its brands were acquired by EboniteInternational. From that point, Columbia 300 products were produced underEbonite in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Another major change came in 2019 when Brunswick Bowling Productspurchased Ebonite International and all of its brands. Since then,Columbia 300 bowling balls have been manufactured in Brunswick-ownedfacilities. No New Columbia 300 Releases According to the statement, Columbia 300 will no longer appear in futureproduct catalogs starting with the 2026–2027 season. The brand will also nolonger appear at trade shows or industry events. Existing Columbia 300 bowling balls will remain available while supplies last. The Columbia 300 White Dot line has already been discontinued, although somepro shops and retailers may still have remaining inventory. Warranty and Support Will Continue Bowlers who already own Columbia 300 equipment will still receive fullsupport. Existing product warranties will continue to be honored. If a directreplacement is no longer available, a similar product from another brand inthe same company family will be offered. Technical support will also remain available for Columbia 300 products,including help with ball reaction, layouts, and general product questions.

Tenpin Bowling New Zealand, the governing body of New Zealand bowling, hasconfirmed changes to its equipment rules following therecent update from the International Bowling Federation. recent update from the International Bowling Federation New Zealand will adopt the 78D urethane hardness standard for all TBNZSanctioned Events. The rule will take effect from March 23, 2026, after theTBNZ National Team Championships, leaving some time for athletes to adjusttheir equipment. From that date, urethane bowling balls used in New Zealand sanctioned eventsmust be manufactured with a minimum hardness of 78D and must comply with theupdated IBF guidelines. Balls that appear on thelist of non-eligible equipmentwill not be permitted in ranked events. list of non-eligible equipment In line with IBF policy, random hardness checks may be conducted during competition. If a ballmeasures below 72D during inspection, it will be considered non-compliant andremoved from play. BF policy The regulation will apply to all future TBNZ Sanctioned Events after theeffective date. However, the new directive does not apply to league bowling.League competitions will continue to operate under existing USBC conditions,where equipment must be listed on the currentUSBC Approved Ball list. USBC Approved Ball list

The Czech Bowling Association has announced new rules for the use of urethanebowling balls. The decision follows recent equipment changes approved by theInternational Bowling Federationand theEuropean Bowling Federation. International Bowling Federation European Bowling Federation Under the new rule, only urethane balls with a minimum manufacturing hardnessof 78D will be permitted in domestic competitions. This applies to all eventsorganized by the Czech Bowling Association and tournaments included in theofficial sports rankings. The decision takes effect on April 1, 2026. A list of balls that do not meet the required specification is availablehere. here In theofficial announcement, released on March 3, the association stated that the change is intended toprepare Czech players for international competition, as the upcoming eventssuch as the European Championship of Champions, the European Women’sChampionship, and the IBF Youth World Championships will apply the sameurethane regulations under EBF and IBF rules. official announcement "<...> in the interests of fair play and with regard to the nationalteam, we decided not to delay. The goal is for Czech players to train andcompete under the same conditions that await them at the autumn EuropeanChampionship of Champions (ECC) or other international events such as thisyear's European Women's Championship or the U21 World Championship. The newban will already apply at all of these events. Any postponement would only bea waste of time from a preparation perspective," association officialssaid. During all events organized by the Czech Bowling Association, hardness checksmay be conducted. While manufacturing hardness must meet the 78D requirement,the measurement limit used during competition will be 72D, in line with IBFstandards. If a ball measures below 72D during inspection, it will beconsidered non compliant and play with that ball will be voided. The Sportsand Technical Commission will carry out random inspections, with detailedchecks planned for the Czech Individual Championships. On February 27, the International Bowling Federation announced new regulationsfor the use of urethane bowling balls in its events. Soon after, the EuropeanBowling Federation confirmed that it would apply the same rules in itscompetitions.