Previewing the 2027 Ambassador Cruise Line World Indoor Bowls Championships with Potters Resorts Hopton-on-Sea Bowls Manager and WBT World No.7, Les Gillett
“Every January for the last 28 years, I’ve had the privilege of walking out onto that famous rink in The International Arena at Hopton-on-Sea. And I can honestly say, there’s nowhere else like it,” says Les Gillett — World Bowls Tour’s current World No.7 and the 2022 Open Singles World Champion.
But since October 2025, Les has also been running tournaments at the Championships’ venue — Potters Resorts Hopton-on-Sea — where every year, thousands of bowlers enjoy award-winning hospitality alongside a Fully Inclusive Bowls Break.
So while it’s fair to say he knows his way around the place, come January, he’ll once again play on the stage he calls “the Wembley of Bowls”.
Les oversees bowls tournaments for thousands of guests at Potters Resorts Hopton-on-Sea all year-roundWhere World-Class Sport Meets Resort Life
“What makes Potters so different is that the Championships sit at the heart of the resort,” Les explains. “You’re never far from the action, whether you’re having lunch, grabbing a coffee, or heading back to your room. It’s completely different from any other sporting event.”
That closeness creates unforgettable moments. Guests often find themselves chatting with players in the bar, meeting officials in the lounge, or watching champions fine-tune their delivery on the practice rinks.
“Where else could you watch a world final in the afternoon and then share a drink with the players that evening? That intimacy is what bowls fans love about Potters,” Les adds.
Les will be aiming to reclaim the World Open Singles title he won in 2022From Day One to the Final Week
Across 17 days, the intensity builds — early rounds are full of surprises, while the final week reaches fever pitch.
“You can feel the shift,” Les says. “When those last few days arrive, with four finals lined up, the tension is unreal. The arena is packed, the cameras are rolling, and you know you’re part of something watched across the world.”
Finals Week includes the Open Singles, Open Pairs, Mixed Pairs, and the Ladies Matchplay — plus Potters Resorts’ own Champion of Champions final, giving holidaymakers their shot at the spotlight on the same rink as the elite.
Les in action at the 2026 Ambassador Cruise Line World Indoor Bowls ChampionshipsA Championship for Everyone
While players deliver the drama, Potters delivers the experience. Fully Inclusive Breaks mean guests enjoy comfortable accommodation, four delicious meals a day, leisure facilities, and nightly West End-quality entertainment in The Atlas Theatre.
"You might watch a tie-break thriller in the afternoon and then settle into a West End-quality show in the evening,” Les says. “It’s a holiday, a championship, and a festival of bowls all wrapped together."
- Les GillettDay Tickets are available too, with packages available for larger groups including meals and arena access. “Many clubs make it their annual outing,” Les explains. “Coaches park up, guests are well looked after, and everyone gets to enjoy the atmosphere. For a lot of people, it’s become the highlight of their bowls calendar.”
Les with Judy Potter and John Potter after winning the 2022 World Open Singles titleBe Part of It
Heading towards its 29th edition at Potters, the heart of the Championships remains unchanged: the warmth, laughter, and connection of the bowls family at Potters.
“Every time I step on that rink, it feels special,” Les reflects. “But the people make it unforgettable — fans who’ve been coming for years, groups of friends, and newcomers experiencing it for the first time. The World Indoor Bowls Championships at Potters isn’t just an event. It’s a community.”
Whether you’re a lifelong supporter or curious newcomer, Hopton-on-Sea in January is the place to be.
As Les puts it: “It’s more than just watching bowls. It’s being part of something truly unique. Once you’ve experienced it, you’ll want to return year after year.”
The 2027 Ambassador Cruise Line World Indoor Bowls Championships take place at Potters Resorts Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk, from Friday 8th to Sunday 24th January.
To book your Fully Inclusive Break or Day Tickets, simply tap below or call on 0333 3207 434.
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