The 2026 Ambassador Cruise Line World Indoor Bowls Championships with World No.5, Les Gillett
“Every January for the last 27 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.5 and the 2022 Open Singles World Champion.
Since October, Les has also been running tournaments at the upcoming championships’ venue — Potters Resorts at Hopton-on-Sea — having recently joined the team as Bowls Manager. Come January, he’ll once again play on the stage he calls “the Wembley of Bowls”. And while world-class sport alone draws thousands, Les says it’s the atmosphere that makes this event truly unique.
Where 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 steps onto the famous blue rink for his 2022 World Open Singles Final against Paul Foster MBEFrom 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, BBC cameras are rolling, and you know you’re part of something watched across the world.”
Finals Week sees the culmination of the event’s four major titles — the Open Singles, Ladies Matchplay, Open Pairs, and Mixed Pairs — plus Potters Resorts’ own Champion of Champions final, giving holidaymakers their shot at the spotlight on the same rink as the elite.
Les with Judy Potter and John Potter, and the 2022 World Open Singles TrophyA 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.”
Day tickets are popular 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 a highlight of the bowls calendar.”
When not competing in WBT events, Les and his team are running tournaments for guests at Hopton-on-SeaBe Part of It
With Ambassador Cruise Line confirmed as title sponsor through 2028, the event continues to grow in profile. BBC coverage reaches millions, YouTube streams deliver global access, and yet the heart of the championship 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 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.”
The 2026 Ambassador Cruise Line World Indoor Bowls Championships take place at Potters Resorts Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk, from Friday 9th to Sunday 25th January. For details on matches, Fully Inclusive Break availability or day tickets, simply tap below:
