Given the adjustment of the season calendar i.e. moving to a January 1 start date, this has created a shortened qualification period for Bowls NSW to get State qualifiers to the Bowls Australia National Championships for 2027.
The 2026 Nationals Qualifiers is a special one-off event designed to determine the New South Wales representatives who will compete at the 2027 Australian National Championships. Running from 25 November – 2 December 2026, the Nationals Qualifiers will feature Men’s and Women’s Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours, along with the Mixed Pairs State Finals, reflecting the disciplines contested at national level. The event will be open to all affiliated bowlers across NSW, providing players with the opportunity to earn their place on the national stage.
Dates
25 November – 2 December 2026
Purpose
Qualification for the 2027 Australian Championships
Location
Wollongong – Clubs to be announced
Format
Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours
& Mixed Pairs
Eligibility
Open to affiliated NSW bowlers
Entries
Entries Open: Monday 14 September at 9am
Disciplines
Region Qualifying: 24, 25 October & 1 November 2026
Format: 17 ends | No time limit | 3 bowls per player
State Finals: Tuesday 1 December – Wednesday 2 December
| Date | Round | Time |
| 1 December | Round 1 | 11:45 |
| Round 2 | 14:30 | |
| Round 3 | 17:00 | |
| 2 December | Quarter-Finals | 9:00 |
| Semi-Finals | 11:30 | |
| Finals | 14:15 |
Entries for Region Qualifying Close: Tuesday 22 September at midnight
How to Enter an Event
How to enter an event on a browser
Please note, you will not be able to enter the Nationals Qualifiers until Monday 14 September at 9am. The event will not appear in the Competitions section of the BowlsLink app or online browser until entries open.
It is the responsibility of players to complete their own entry through BowlsLink. Bowls NSW will not be taking entries over the phone. Payments must be completed to secure an entry.
How to enter an event on the BowlsLink App
Please note, you will not be able to enter the Nationals Qualifiers until Monday 14 September at 9am. The event will not appear in the Competitions section of the BowlsLink app or online browser until entries open.
It is the responsibility of players to complete their own entry through BowlsLink. Bowls NSW will not be taking entries over the phone. Payments must be completed to secure an entry.
FAQs
Can anyone in NSW enter this event?
Yes. Any affiliated bowler who has their Declared (Primary) club as a Bowls NSW club is eligible to enter this event.
Do I need to qualify for the Men’s & Women’s events?
No. These events will be open for direct entry, and do not require Region based qualifying.
Do I need to qualify for the Mixed Pairs?
Yes. Just like previous years, this event will continue to be held with initial Regional based qualifying, with 32 teams progressing to the finals. Entries for Mixed Pairs Qualifying are open and will close on Tuesday, 22 September at midnight.
Is there a limit on entry numbers for this event?
Yes. Given the size and scale of this event, we will be required to put limits on entries for each discipline.
What are the entry limits per discipline?
| Men | Women |
| Singles – 96 players | Singles – 96 players |
| Pairs – 64 teams | Pairs – 64 teams |
| Triples – 64 teams | Triples – 64 teams |
| Fours – 32 teams | Fours – 32 teams |
What happens if the entry cap is reached?
Once the entry cap for a discipline is reached, you will still be able to enter via BowlsLink and will automatically be added to the waitlist.
If a player or team withdraws, Bowls NSW will contact the next eligible player or team on the waitlist. Any waitlisted entries that do not receive a place in the event will be refunded by Bowls NSW.
If a player or team withdraws after entries have closed, their entry fee will be forfeited.
Why don’t we have Region qualifiers for this event like a normal State Championships?
Given the adjustment of the season calendar that was requested broadly across NSW (i.e. moving to a January 1 start date) this has created a shortened qualification period for Bowls NSW to get State qualifiers to the Bowls Australia National Championships for 2027.
Will this event be run in sectional play or knock out?
Pairs, Triples & Fours – Knock out
Singles & Mixed Pairs – Sectional play followed by knock out
If I am entering Pairs, Triples or Fours, do I have to enter with someone from my club?
No. You can enter this event with any other affiliated member(s) from your Region subject to adhering to gender requirements.
Do I need to enter into every discipline?
No. Each discipline is a separate competition, so you can choose to enter one or as many disciplines as you like.
A separate entry must be completed for each discipline you wish to enter.
When will be draw be released?
The draw will be released by the 20th October.
Can I choose what venue to play at?
No. Players and teams in each discipline may be drawn to play at any of the host venues.
Will this format continue into 2027?
No. This is a ‘one-off’ qualifying event due to the adjustment to the State calendar. Regular programming of the Bowls NSW State Championships (Region Qualifying through to State Finals) will run in 2027.
Did you consider other options for the format of this event?
Yes. We considered multiple options including:
Open entry – uncapped entry numbers: We did not proceed with this format given the size and scale of such an undertaking. It was envisaged that this would become such a large-scale event that the time and resources required to bring this to life were deemed insufficient. Additionally, the time required to complete such an event would take considerable space out of the calendar for other events.
Invitational event: We did not proceed with an invite only State Championships event for current or periphery State representative players as it was deemed too exclusive. We wanted to ensure that all members are provided with the opportunity to enter this event.
How do I enter a team into the Pairs, Triples or Fours?
During the entry process, you will be prompted to add the other players to your team.
Players can be searched using their surname and Primary Club, or by entering their NIN (National Identity Number).
We recommend having your teammates’ details ready before you begin your entry. If you are unable to find a player, there may be an issue with the information entered or with the details recorded in their BowlsLink profile.
How to enter an event on the BowlsLink App
How to enter an event on a browser
Please note, you will not be able to enter the Nationals Qualifiers until Monday 14 September at 9am. The event will not appear in the Competitions section of the BowlsLink app or online browser until entries open.
What is the entry fee?
Singles – $40 per player
Pairs – $80 per team ($40 per player)
Triples – $120 per team ($40 per player)
Fours – $160 per team ($40 per player)
Payments must be completed to secure an entry.
What is the Prize Money?
| Singles | ||
| Place | Men | Women |
| Winner | $1200 | $1200 |
| Runner Up | $800 | $800 |
| Semi Finalist | $500 | $500 |
| Pairs (per team) | ||
| Place | Men | Women |
| Winner | $1600 | $1600 |
| Runner up | $1000 | $1000 |
| Semi Finalist | $500 | $500 |
| Triples (per team) | ||
| Place | Men | Women |
| Winner | $1800 | $1800 |
| Runner Up | $1200 | $1200 |
| Semi Finalist | $600 | $600 |
| Fours (per team) | ||
| Place | Men | Women |
| Winner | $2400 | $2400 |
| Runner Up | $1600 | $1600 |
| Semi Finalist | $800 | $800 |
| Mixed Pairs | ||
| Winner | $1000 | |
| Runner Up | $600 | |
| Semi Finalist | $300 | |
Winners will also receive a contribution from Bowls NSW when they travel to compete at the 2027 Australian Championships.
The Nationals Qualifiers are proudly sponsored by Destination Wollongong.
