Press Release

We are pleased to announce that the National Centre for Bowling in Ayr, Scotland will host the 2022 European Championships.

This was confirmed at the recent Bowls Europe AGM after the 2021 Championships had to be re-arranged due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Scotland will compete in this event alongside 18 other nations from around the continent from Saturday 9th – Thursday 14th July 2022.

Next year’s event will be the 13th edition of the Bowls Europe Championships (formerly European Bowls Union) and Scotland are level with England as the competitions most successful nation with four victories each. The format of the revamped European Championships will be men’s & women’s singles, pairs, triples, and fours with each player eligible to compete in two disciplines such as singles or fours and pairs or triples.

Bowls Scotland are also committed to hosting a European Open competition on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th July. This will allow players from across Europe and Scotland to test themselves against each other. Also, we hope to see many players using this as an opportunity to play competitive matches before the much-anticipated Bowls Scotland National Championships begin on Sunday 17th July. More details will be provided on the European Open as we move into next year. 

We will again be delivering our coaching qualifications to the attending nations, these were previously delivered at the 2019 Championships in Guernsey. All nations that attended the coaching courses confirmed this was a positive addition to the event. 

Alan McMillan, CEO of Bowls Scotland, said: “I am excited to welcome Europe’s bowls nations to Scotland and enjoy this celebration of competitive bowls. “The European Championships will develop over the coming years to provide a vital platform for players to achieve their full potential. I am sure the Bowls Europe Directors, Bowls Scotland staff, volunteers, players, and spectators will all contribute to a memorable event.” 

Bob Christie, Bowls Europe Chair, added: “Bowls Europe is delighted that Bowls Scotland is supporting the 2022 European Championships. 

“I am glad that the new competition format mirrors other major bowls events such as the World Championships and Commonwealth Games. We are also exploring the opportunity of adding visually impaired and physically disabled para bowls disciplines alongside the mainstream Championships. 

“This would establish the European Championships as the most inclusive premier bowls event in the Northern Hemisphere.”