- Perth hosting hundreds of lawn bowls athletes, supporters and fans for The Nationals from 6 to 20 October
- Mass participation event will boost local hospitality businesses and tourism operators
- More than 800 participants of all ages and abilities to compete
Perth will become the lawn bowls capital of the country over the next two weeks, as lawn bowl athletes from around the nation gather to compete in a Nationals competition.
In an Australian first, the Nationals will see six championship events playing out across the City of Joondalup, at the Joondalup, Sorrento and Warwick Bowling Clubs from Friday 6 to Friday 20 October.
The Nationals is Australia’s biggest and most revered lawn bowls competition, with more than 30 national titles being contested over the 15-day event.
The competition is expected to attract hundreds of visitors to Western Australia and generate a boost to business for Perth’s bars, restaurants and tourism attractions.
More than 800 participants of all ages and abilities, spanning junior, open age, senior, para and able-bodied events, will compete across the three northern suburbs bowling clubs.
The festival of bowls will include the:
- Australian Champion of Champions: 6-7 October, Sorrento Bowling Club
- Australian Under-18 Championships: 6-7 October, Sorrento Bowling Club
- Australian Para Nationals: 6-9 October, Warwick Bowling Club
- Australian Senior Sides Championships: 8-11 October, Joondalup Bowling Club
- Australian Sides Championships: 13-16 October, Sorrento Bowling Club
- Australian Championships: 17-20 October, Joondalup Bowling Club
The Nationals is set to return to Western Australia again in October 2026.
The events are free at all three bowls clubs, and members of the public are encouraged to head along and spectate.
Read more at bowls.com.au.
As stated by Acting Tourism Minister John Carey:
“The National Bowls Championships are another great opportunity to showcase Western Australia and further celebrate WA as a tourism destination to out-of-state visitors.
“Mass participation events like these championships form an important part of our Government’s events strategy to attract out-of-state visitors to Western Australia and boost local economies, with nearly $100 million being injected into our economy in 2022-23 from these types of events.
“It’s simple people attract people and the Nationals will bring more people and vibrancy to restaurants, bars and shopping precincts.
“This will also offer visitors the chance to hop on a ferry at Hillarys Boat Harbour, enjoy a day trip exploring Rottnest Island, learn about the heritage of wine growing in the Swan Valley, or visit a variety of national parks, walking trails and beautiful northern suburbs beaches.”
As stated by Acting Sport and Recreation Minister Paul Papalia:
“Lawn bowls is a fantastic sport for participants and spectators alike, so we’re really excited to be hosting the Nationals this year, which will be the biggest version of the competition yet to take place in Australia.
“With the weather warming up as well, I certainly encourage our community, particularly those in the northern suburbs, to head down to their local bowls club and support the athletes competing across these six championship events over the next couple of weeks.”
