The 2027 Ambassador Cruise Line World Indoor Bowls Championships
8–24 JANUARY 2027 | POTTERS RESORTS HOPTON-ON-SEA
The biggest event in the indoor bowls calendar is back — and the 2027 Ambassador Cruise Line World Indoor Bowls Championships are set to bring another spectacular 17 days of world-class bowls to the Norfolk coast.
The flagship event in the World Bowls Tour calendar, this January will mark the 29th time the prestigious championships have been staged at the resort, with the world’s leading indoor bowlers heading to the International Arena to compete for four coveted world titles.
Potters Resorts Bowls Manager and WBT World No.7 Les Gillett will be looking to make his mark on the 2027 ChampionshipsIt is the bowls equivalent of a major sporting festival: top-ranked players, established champions, rising stars, packed stands, dramatic finishes and an atmosphere that cannot be replicated by watching from home.
And with the players themselves staying at Potters during the event, visitors can find themselves enjoying the unique experience of bumping shoulders with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Whether you’re a lifelong bowls fan, a regular club player, someone discovering the sport for the first time, or simply looking for a brilliant day out, there are more ways than ever to be part of it.
From Fully Inclusive World Bowls Breaks and affordable Day Tickets to group packages, special opening-day offers and a brand-new fan package, here’s everything you need to know.
At a glance
When: Friday 8 January – Sunday 24 January 2027
Where: Potters Resorts Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk
Venue: The International Arena
Four championships: Open Singles | Ladies Matchplay | Open Pairs | Mixed Pairs
How to watch: Every session available live via bowlstv.com
Day tickets: From just £10 per person
Fiver Friday: Friday 8 January (Preliminary Open Pairs Matches)
Meals: Two-course lunch £13 and two-course dinner £15 (when pre-booked)
Club/Group packages: Available for groups of 20+
Four world titles. One incredible venue.
World Open Singles
The Singles title is the biggest prize in indoor bowls.
In 2026, England’s Robert Paxton produced a dramatic comeback to defeat Scotland’s Paul Foster MBE in a final that went all the way to a tie-break. It was Paxton’s second World Indoor Singles title, following his previous triumph in 2020.
From left to right: Rebecca Jones (Ambassador Cruise Line), Robert Paxton, Jane PotterLadies World Matchplay
Wymondham’s Katherine Rednall produced one of the stories of the 2026 championships, claiming her seventh World Matchplay title, defeating Nicole Rogers in the final. She will return in 2027 chasing an unprecedented eighth crown.
From left to right: Sallyanne Gooch (Potters Resorts), Katherine Rednall, Nicole Rogers, Emma Vincent (Ambassador Cruise Line)World Open Pairs
There was a familiar feeling in the Pairs, as Scotland’s Paul Foster MBE and Alex Marshall MBE reunited to claim their fifth World Open Pairs title together. They defeated fellow Scots Stewart Anderson and Darren Burnett in the final and will be among the teams to beat again in 2027.
From left to right: Alex Marshall MBE, Paul Foster MBEWorld Mixed Pairs
The 2026 Mixed Pairs produced a piece of history, as Chloe Wilson became the first Irish player to win the Mixed Pairs championship, alongside England’s Jamie Walker. With both players returning to The International Arena, the Mixed Pairs will be one to watch closely in 2027.
From left to right: Jamie Walker, Judy Potter, Chloe WilsonThe 2026 Championships also featured the Masters Championship, won by England’s Russell Bewick, following the invitational event’s introduction in 2025.
The ultimate way to experience it
If you’re serious about your bowls — or simply want the full Potters experience — a Fully Inclusive World Bowls Break is the ultimate way to enjoy the championships.
Your stay combines the excitement of the International Arena with everything that makes Potters Resorts famous:
- Comfortable accommodation
- Full-board dining (four meals a day)
- A wide selection of popular, branded drinks and coffee shop favourites
- West End-quality entertainment
- Sports, leisure and activities
- Admission to all matches in the International Arena during your stay
In other words, you can make the Ambassador Cruise Line World Indoor Bowls Championships the centrepiece of a proper Potters getaway.
With many of the players also staying on resort, that makes a World Bowls Break a genuinely unique sporting experience — you’re not just watching the championships; you’re staying right where the action is happening.
If you’re considering a break, don’t leave it too late as these are already very limited in availability, with a waitlist in operation for the most sought-after dates.
2-Night Fully Inclusive Breaks run throughout the championships, with the option to take advantage of added savings when combining breaks.
For anyone wanting to experience Potters hospitality alongside a full programme of world-class bowls, this is the option to go for.
Can’t stay? Plan a grand day out!
Don’t worry if a break isn’t possible. 2027 World Bowls Day Tickets are now available, giving you the chance to come to The International Arena at Potters for a full day of championship action — and prices start from just £10.
That’s an exceptional-value way to spend a day watching the world’s best bowlers in the sport’s most famous venue.
That makes day tickets a brilliant option for clubs, groups of friends, live sports enthusiasts and of course, Christmas and birthday gifts for passionate bowlers.
Better yet, you’ll SAVE 25% on your day tickets* when booking three or more dates at the same time.
NEW! Fiver Friday — Friday 8 January
The championships get underway on Friday 8 January, and we’re making opening day a particularly special one.
For just £5, fans can experience the atmosphere at Potters and enjoy preliminary singles action featuring some of the exciting bowlers looking to make their mark on the world stage.
It’s a fantastic, low-cost way to experience the championships from the very beginning and, importantly, to discover some of the names who could become tomorrow’s stars.
If you’ve always wondered what the Ambassador Cruise Line World Indoor Bowls Championships are like in person, Fiver Friday is the perfect introduction.
Visitors can also enter our popular ‘Guess the Colour of Judy’s Jacket’ competition for the chance to win a Fully Inclusive Break at Potters ResortsTasty Snacks and Delicious Meals
While Fully Inclusive Breaks offer full board dining throughout your break, day trippers can also choose from a range of food and drink options.
The Refreshment Garden is on hand throughout, serving hot and cold snacks and drinks at a great price, and just around the corner from The International Arena.
Alternatively, you can pre-book meals in the Gallery Restaurant at Potters, with two-course lunches and dinners available from just £13 and £15 respectively (when pre-booked).
Great bowls and great food make for a memorable day out at the Ambassador Cruise Line World Indoor Bowls Championships.
We strongly recommend booking your day ticket and meals together, particularly for popular dates, to avoid disappointment.
*25% saving on 2027 Ambassador Cruise Line World Bowls Day Tickets applies when booking tickets for three separate dates in the same transaction via TicketSource. The saving is automatically applied at checkout. Saving applies to ticket purchases only, and excludes 2-course Lunch, 2-course Dinner and Fan Package purchases. For all Day Ticket purchases, a transaction fee applies.
NEW for 2027: The Fan Package
Want to make your visit to the championships even more memorable? For just £25, a new Fan Package gives supporters the chance to enjoy a delicious lunch and take home a bundle of championship memorabilia.
- A Refreshment Garden Lunch including a delicious sandwich, hot drink and scone with butter, jam and cream
- A 2027 Ambassador Cruise Line World Indoor Bowls Championships programme
- A Potters Resorts Cushion
- A 2027 World Indoor Bowls Championships Water Bottle
It’s designed for the fans who want more than just a ticket — something to remember the experience by long after the final bowl has been delivered.
Reserve this superb souvenir when booking your day tickets, with collection on arrival.
Planning a Club Trip?
The Ambassador Cruise Line World Indoor Bowls Championships are made for bowls clubs. The sight of fans wearing their own club colours is unique to the championships, and a feature of the coverage.
Our Groups Team can take care of the plans for your visit to the World Indoor Bowls ChampionshipsWith brilliant incentives and savings for Fully Inclusive Breaks, or day trip packages that take the hassle out of organising, our experienced Groups Team will handle your trips of 20+ visitors with expertise. It’s ideal for bowling clubs looking to experience the Championships as a proper club outing.
For an informal, no-pressure chat with our friendly team, call 0333 3207 474.
The BBC has stepped away — but we’re not going anywhere
While the BBC has stepped away from broadcasting the World Indoor Bowls Championships, here’s the most important thing for fans — Potters Resorts, the World Bowls Tour and title sponsors Ambassador Cruise Line are stepping up to ensure fans don’t lose access to the tournament.
Our joint commitment is simple: every session throughout the championships is available to watch, and we’re making it super-simple.
Bowls and sports fans will be able to follow the action from home without a subscription, TV licence or paywall, by visiting bowlstv.com. This approach means the tournament can reach fans wherever they are — whether that’s on a smartTV, on a laptop, tablet or mobile.
The ambition is not simply to replace the BBC broadcast. It’s to make it better and even more accessible.
Why experience the championships at Potters?
While we’re making it easy to watch from home (or wherever you are) this January, you can’t recreate the feeling of being inside the International Arena, and the anticipation before a big match.
You can’t replicate the reaction of a packed crowd when your favourite player’s delivery curls around the jack at the crucial moment. And you certainly can’t recreate the experience of rubbing shoulders with the players in the comfort of Potters.
Potters has been the home of World Bowls since 1999, and has become to bowls what The Crucible Theatre is to snooker, or Wembley to football.
And for 2027, there are more ways than ever to experience it.
Book a Fully Inclusive Break
Enjoy accommodation, food, drinks, entertainment, resort facilities and access to all the International Arena action during your stay. But act quickly — availability is already very limited.
Come for the day
From just £10 (or £5 on Fiver Friday), you can spend the day watching the world’s best indoor bowlers. Even better, you can add delicious dining to make the most of your trip.
The Perfect Package
Whether you’re coming to stay or just for the day, our NEW Fan Package provides a great souvenir from your visit to the biggest event in bowls.
Pre-book your package along with your day tickets, for collection on arrival.
Book for your Club
For groups of 20+, ask about savings and incentives on breaks, or packages combining tickets, meals and coach travel.
Call our friendly Groups Team on 0333 3207 474.
The Perfect Draw
The Ambassador Cruise Line 2027 World Indoor Bowls Championships promise to be about much more than simply finding out who lifts the trophies.
They’re a chance to experience the world’s greatest indoor bowls venue, see established champions and emerging stars competing at the highest level, enjoy Potters hospitality, and be part of the atmosphere surrounding the biggest event in the bowls calendar.
The world is coming to Potters, and there’s a way for every bowls fan to be a part of it.
Sail your way with a choice of unforgettable cruises to suit every taste, budget and appetite for adventure.
Whether sailing from closer to home or flying further afield, you’ll find your perfect holiday on one of Ambassador’s small and welcoming ships.
Whether you want to sail from your local port or start your cruise in the Caribbean, Ambassador have got an affordable and unforgettable holiday that’s just right for you. Cruise from seven regional UK ports or fly from Heathrow or Manchester airport with Virgin Atlantic. How will you choose to cruise?
And don’t forget, enjoy 5% off all sailings with code BOWLS5 when booking.
Your benefit doesn’t stop there. For a limited of time, with up to £800 onboard credit, you have the freedom to enjoy your holiday your way and make every day feel a little more special. Go on, take the credit – it’s on Ambassador Cruise Line.
Book before 23 November 2026 to make the most of this benefit.
