This article is about the World Indoor Bowls Championships. For the rival event organised by World Bowls and the IIBC, see World Bowls Indoor Championships.
The 2025 World Indoor Bowls Championship is the 2025 edition of the World Indoor Bowls Championships, held at Potters Resorts, Hopton-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, England, from 10 to 26 January 2025.[1][2]
In May 2024, World Bowls Tour announced on its Facebook page that the Open Under 25 event would not take place in 2025. A four-player invitational Masters event, featuring 2009 open singles champion Billy Jackson, and BBC commentator David Corkhill, was added to the schedule as a replacement.[1]
In January 2025, the World Bowls Tour (WBT) became the subject of significant controversy over the participation of Israeli athletes in the World Indoor Bowls Championships. Initially, the WBT announced the exclusion of Israeli players, citing security concerns following protests at previous events.[5]
The organisers banned Israeli players Daniel Alomin, Amnon Amar and Itai Rigbi from competing, citing "significant escalation in related political concerns". The move created a significant reaction, with MP Rupert Lowe stating "Sport should be a unifier, and it should be above politics".[6]
The decision drew widespread criticism, with Jewish organisations and local parliamentarians condemning it as discriminatory. Following public backlash, the WBT reversed its decision on December 31, 2024, allowing Israeli athletes to compete.[7][8][9] The organization implemented additional security measures to address concerns and ensure the safety of all participants.[10]
