This article is about the event organised by the World Bowls Tour. For the event organised by World Bowls & the IIBC, see World Bowls Indoor Championships.
In recent history matches are streamed live on YouTube & Facebook, attracting around four million views annually.[1] The last week of the competition is televised live on BBC where the open singles and open pairs', women's singles and mixed pairs' finals are shown.[2]
In 1986, the men's pairs competition was added to the championship.[3] In 1988, a rule change allowed women to compete for the first time and the women's singles competition was created. This rule change also changed expanded the men's singles and pairs competition and both become open tournaments.
In 1989, the championships moved to the Guild Hall in Preston, England and Churchill Insurance took over the sponsorship. While the competition was being held in Preston, Midland Bank and SAGA were also sponsors at various times.
In 1999, Potters Holidays took over the sponsorship and, as part of the agreement, the event moved to its current home at the company's resort in Hopton-on-Sea.[4] The mixed pairs competition was added to the championship in 2004.
The Open Pairs (formerly the Men's Open pairs) allows anyone to compete, this is not to be confused with the Mixed Pairs. It was a men's only competition until 2012.
