The Para Bowls competition at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will welcome athletes from eight nations to contest three events, Women’s and Men’s B6-8 Pairs and B2-3 Mixed Pairs, with host nation Scotland set to compete in all three events.
Scotland will be looking to defend their titles on home territory after winning gold in each Para Bowls discipline at Birmingham 2022. Joining them on the rinks will be Australia, England, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and Wales, promising a vibrant and competitive field for one of the Games’ most inclusive sports.
The Glasgow 2026 Bowls and Para Bowls competitions will take place from Friday 24 July to Sunday 2 August 2026, with the Games set to be the UK’s largest sporting event next summer, bringing together 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories to compete for more than 200 medals.
Para sport will be at the heart of the action, with 47 medal events across six disciplines – the most expansive Para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history.
Para Bowls made its debut as a demonstration sport at the 1994 Victoria, before officially joining the Commonwealth Games programme at Manchester 2002. Since then, it has featured at Glasgow 2014, Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022, with Glasgow 2026 matching the three-event format seen in Birmingham.
Malaysia returns to the Para Bowls line-up for the first time since Glasgow 2014, having previously won two bronze medals at Manchester 2002, whilst Singapore will make its historic debut in the Para Bowls disciplines at a Commonwealth Games.
Six nations – Australia, England, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales – continue their 100% attendance record, having qualified once again through their respective Commonwealth Games Associations.
The confirmation of the eight nations taking part in Para Bowls at Glasgow 2026 comes in the week that Scotland play Australia in a Test Series. Pauline Wilson, B6-B8 Pairs Commonwealth champion and member of Glasgow 2026 Athlete Advisory Committee, who is representing Scotland in the series this week, said,
“Competing at a home Games is a dream come true. The support in Glasgow will be electric and we’re ready to give it everything to defend our titles. The Commonwealth Games has given so many of us a platform to shine and show the world how fantastic our sport can be – and Glasgow 2026 will be no exception.”
Rebecca Van Asch, High Performance Manager for Bowls Australia, one of Australia’s most decorated lawn bowlers,is part of the Australian contingent in Glasgow this week and is looking forward to city’s infamous crowd next year, “We’re really excited. Any time you get to get to a Commonwealth Games is fantastic.
We had some great performances at the last Games in Birmingham, so we’re hoping to build on that now. There’s nothing that beats, the Commonwealth Games environment when it is Games time. I’m sure, Glasgow as a city and Scotland as a whole, will be phenomenal and really be buzzing. We’ll try and feed off that energy.”
Jade Gallagher, Chief Operating Officer, Glasgow 2026 said “Para Bowls is a wonderful example of the Commonwealth Games’ commitment to inclusion. Para sport is at the very heart of this Games and it’s apt that the first sport qualification announcement is from a Para sport, showing the strength and depth of the whole sport programme that will take place in Glasgow next year.
“We look forward to watching a diverse line-up of nations compete in Glasgow, including debutants and returning medal contenders; the stage is set for an inspiring, exciting and altogether brilliant Games next summer.”
Ann-Louise Morgan, Director of Sport, Commonwealth Sport said: “The integrated sports programme is one of the defining features of the Commonwealth Games, and Para Bowls exemplifies the unique spirit of inclusion that sets our Movement apart.
Glasgow 2026 will showcase the very best of the sport, with world-class athletes competing in front of passionate home crowds. With a new indoor format, we’re proud to see the Games once again leading the way in innovation, delivering thrilling competition while ensuring Para athletes remain at the heart of the action.”
Owen James, Acting President, International Bowls for the Disabled said “The return of Malaysia and the debut of Singapore in the Para Bowls arena at Glasgow 2026 completes an extremely strong and diverse playing field. With Para Bowls celebrating its fifth consecutive back-to-back appearance at the Commonwealth Games this will an extremely competitive event.
“Para Bowls exemplifies the sporting principles of inclusivity, accessibility and participation providing the opportunity for these outstanding Para athletes to compete at the highest level in their sport. Glasgow is an outstanding venue and the passion, enthusiasm and energy which the city and the spectators will bring to the Games will create lifelong memories for all the players and coaching staff involved. We can’t wait to get out onto the rinks.”
Brett O’Riley, President, World Bowls “Our aspiration is for Bowls to be the most diverse and inclusive sport, and Para Bowls is one of the most rapidly growing areas of our game. Having Para Bowls again included at the Commonwealth Games, with a diverse range of countries, is both important and pleasing. We look forward to further expanding the Para field of countries and players at future Games.”
Tickets for Glasgow 2026 go on sale later this month. To access the exclusive pre-sale for tickets, register your details by 16 October 2026 at www.glasgow2026.com.
