Bowls Canada Announces Interim Format for 2025 National Championships

Ottawa, ON — Bowls Canada is pleased to announce the introduction of an interim abridged format for the 2025 National Championships. This format is specifically designed as a one-year solution, allowing the championships to proceed while the organization continues its comprehensive evaluation of the championships’ long-term structure.

The proposal for this interim format is the result of extensive feedback and input collected through surveys. The streamlined approach balances the need to provide a manageable and inclusive event while enabling ongoing work toward a sustainable and enhanced format for the future.

KEY DETAILS OF THE INTERIM 2025 FORMAT:

Majors

  • Entry: Provincial winners (8 spots per discipline), with NB and PEI combined based on 2024 adjustments.
  • Provincial representation: Provincial decision 
    Provinces can choose to send champions from each discipline or a 5-a-side team to ensure representation across all events.
    [Singles and Fours will play concurrently; Pairs and Triples will play concurrently. Competitors cannot participate in more than one discipline scheduled concurrently (e.g., Singles and Fours)].
    Please note the Canadian Men’s and Women’s singles champions go on to be Canada’s representative at Champion of Champions.
  • Disciplines: Singles, Pairs, Triples, and Fours.
  • Format:
    • Singles: 2 x 7-end sets with a 3-end tiebreaker.
    • Pairs, Triples & Fours: 12 ends with no tiebreaker.
  • Schedule: Maximum of 5 playing days plus 1 practice day.

Youth

  • Entry: Open.
  • Divisions:
    • Men’s & Women’s Singles in U18 (ages 12–17) and U25 (ages 18–24).
    • Mixed Pairs combining age categories.
  • Format: 2 x 7-end sets with a 3-end tiebreaker.
  • Schedule: Maximum of 5 playing days.

Para

  • Entry: Open.
  • Divisions: B1–B8 categories and an Open division with mixed genders.
  • Format: 12 ends.
  • Schedule: Maximum of 5 playing days.

This interim solution provides flexibility for provincial representation while addressing scheduling and logistical challenges. Provinces can choose to send champions from each discipline or assemble a 5-a-side team to ensure representation across all events.

Looking Ahead
Bowls Canada remains committed to a thorough assessment of the national championships format to ensure it meets the evolving needs of the sport. The Task Force will continue gathering data, analyzing feedback, and working collaboratively with stakeholders to present a long-term plan that fosters inclusivity, participation, and excellence at all levels.

This abridged format is for the 2025 championships only. Further updates regarding the long-term structure will be shared as the Task Force progresses.

Host Clubs and Dates Announcement Coming Soon
Details about the host clubs and dates for the 2025 National Championships will be announced in the coming weeks. Bowls Canada is working diligently with host venues to finalize arrangements and looks forward to sharing this exciting information shortly.

For more information on the 2025 National Championships, visit www.bowlscanada.com

About Bowls Canada Boulingrin  

Bowls Canada Boulingrin (BCB) is the governing body responsible for lawn bowls in Canada. The BCB mission is to advance the sport of bowls in Canada. BCB is funded through Sport Canada and would like to thank the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Government of Canada for its support of lawn bowling in Canada. For more details on Bowls Canada Boulingrin and the sport of lawn bowls, visit www.bowlscanada.com.   

Bowls Canada Boulingrin acknowledges that its office in Ottawa is located upon the traditional and unceded of the Anishinàbe Algonquin People. The Algonquin People have inhabited and cared for these lands long before today. BCB honours and thanks all the generations of Anishinàbe Algonquin people who have and continue to take care of this land that we all share. We pledge to continue exploring and making meaningful contributions to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action especially as it related to Sport and Reconciliation (items 87 to 91).