Forget padel and pickleball — the sporting sensation gripping Britain this summer is bowls. The centuries-old game, long stereotyped as a pastime for retirees, is experiencing a remarkable resurgence among younger generations, driven by social innovations, shorter formats and a starring role at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
This weekend, bowls and Para bowls will be one of just 10 sports featured at the Games, the first time in more than 90 years the sport has been played indoors on specially designed rinks. Organisers say demand has been so high that an extra day of competition has been added. 'The incredibly high entry numbers are testament to the enduring popularity of the sport,' said Natalie Cunningham, director of sport for Glasgow 2026.
Clubs across the UK are reporting a surge in younger members. Belmont Bowling Club in East Belfast now offers live music and food; Polegrove Bowls Club in Bexhill, East Sussex, runs a thriving youth section with teenage championships. In Twickenham, 21-year-old Ewan Lury 'stumbled across' an open day at his local club during lockdown and has since become a regular. 'The stereotypes — that it’s an old person’s game, boring and easy — I quickly learned none of that is true,' he said.
Shorter, faster formats such as barefoot bowls — played without shoes, often with a drink in hand and a food truck nearby — have helped modernise the game. 'I often play a serious championship match while on the green next door there might be a hen party having fun,' said Brett O’Riley, president of World Bowls. 'The competitive side can exist alongside the social side.'
World Bowls membership has more than doubled from 43 countries in 2022 to 90 today, with the sport now played on carpets and in school halls as far afield as the Falkland Islands. Ceris Hewlings, editor at large of Bowls International Magazine, said bowls appeals to younger people as 'an affordable, highly tactical, low-impact sport with a relaxed social scene'. A major generational shift is under way, she added.
For British travellers looking to try bowls on holiday, many clubs offer pay-and-play sessions for around £5–£10, with equipment provided. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has no specific travel warnings for bowls-related travel, but standard travel insurance is advised for any sporting activity — check your policy covers 'recreational sports' before heading to the green. With Glasgow 2026 showcasing the sport on an international stage, and World Bowls planning to petition for Olympic inclusion by 2030, bowls looks set to roll on well beyond summer.