The Bellarine Peninsula will take centre stage in world sport next year, with Ocean Grove Bowling Club officially securing the 2026 World Bowls Indoor Championship, which is co-sanctioned by World Bowls and the International Indoor Bowls Council.
The prestigious six-day international event will bring together elite indoor bowlers from over 32 nations. The event will be held in May 2026, showcasing the newly redeveloped Ocean Grove Bowling Club — one of the most advanced undercover bowling facilities in the world.
The 2026 World Bowls Indoor Championship is proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Visit Victoria, reinforcing the State’s commitment to attracting world-class sporting events that boost local communities and visitor economies across regional Victoria.
Recognised as one of the most prestigious international bowls events, the Championship sit just beneath the outdoor World Bowls Championship in the global hierarchy. It will deliver an extraordinary sporting and tourism boost for the region, attracting hundreds of athletes, officials, and supporters to the Bellarine and Geelong.
World Bowls CEO Neil Dalrymple said the event represents the pinnacle of an indoor bowls competition, ensuring the world’s best athletes compete for international honours. “The Ocean Grove Bowling Club’s facilities are world-class, and the Bellarine region will provide a magnificent setting for players, officials and spectators alike,” he said. “We’re proud to partner with a venue that reflects the sport’s global standards of excellence.”
Nathan O’Neill, CEO of Ocean Grove Bowling Club, said hosting a world championship so soon after unveiling the new undercover Dome was a remarkable achievement for the club and the Community. “This is an incredible milestone for Ocean Grove and the Bellarine,” he said. “The Championship will welcome athletes from over 32 nations — including world champions and elite international performers — generating immense spectator interest and inspiring our local bowls Community. Across six days we’re expecting around 4,000 spectators and many more tuning in globally via the broadcast and livestream coverage.”
The Championship is forecast to inject significantly into the local economy, supporting local accommodation, hospitality, and tourism businesses. “This event is about leaving a legacy that benefits our region, our sport, and our community for years to come,” O’Neill added.
Tracy Carter, Executive Director of Tourism Greater Geelong & the Bellarine, said the timing of the event would provide valuable economic and tourism benefits during a quieter period for the region. “The event will be held in May, a traditionally quieter tourism period for Geelong and the Bellarine, providing a strategic opportunity to boost visitation during the shoulder season,” she said. “This timing will extend the region’s tourism season, delivering economic benefits to local accommodation providers, hospitality venues, and attractions beyond the summer peak. With over 32 nationalities represented and strong domestic attendance expected, the Championship will drive mid-year visitation, supporting local jobs and business growth.”
At a local level, Matt Flapper, GM Partnerships and Programs at Ocean Grove Bowling Club, said the Championship would have a powerful impact on participation, development, and community connection. “The World Bowls Indoor Championship gives our region’s young people a chance to see the world’s best athletes right here in their own backyard,” he said. “We will partner closely with local schools to create opportunities for students to visit the event, experience world-class competition first-hand, and be inspired by what’s possible in sport.”
Flapper said the Championship would engage the 2,600+ registered bowlers across the Geelong region and provide a platform to grow the sport beyond elite competition. “With more than 2,600 registered bowlers across the region, this event is an incredible opportunity to connect our existing bowling community with the highest level of the game. Seeing international champions compete on home soil will spark new motivation across clubs, drive participation, and strengthen pathways from grassroots through to high performance.”
He said the Championship would also be used to deliver lasting sport development benefits. “Beyond the competition itself, the event will be leveraged to deliver real outcomes — from coaching seminars and technical training to junior ‘come-and-try’ sessions and community programs. We will be partnering with Bowls Victoria and the Geelong Bowls Region to make sure the benefits reach every corner of our sport, delivering initiatives to foster healthy lifestyles, social interaction, and pathways for lifelong Community involvement,” Flapper added. “By engaging local schools, clubs and their volunteers, we’re building community pride, growing participation, and strengthening the skills base that will keep our region at the forefront of Victorian bowls for years to come.”
The 2026 World Bowls Indoor Championship will not only provide a world-class sporting spectacle but also strengthen Victoria’s reputation as a leader in hosting globally recognised, professionally delivered events. With international broadcast integration, multi-camera coverage, live commentary, and promotional tourism content, the Championship will showcase the Bellarine and Geelong region to the world — reinforcing Victoria’s place on the global sporting stage.
