World Indoor Bowls Championships 2026 Mens Quarter Finals: Prize Money, Friday schedule, history, format, television
It’s the quarter-finals day in the Open Singles competition today - with some of Scotland’s finest bowlers in action.
First held in Coatbridge in 1979, this year’s The World Indoor Bowls Championship is currently underway, with the first games in the Open Singles played on Monday, January 19.
Scotland has already seen some success in Monday’s all-Scottish Open Pairs final, where Paul Foster and Alex Marshall took the title for the fifth time, beating Stuart Anderson and Darren Burnett in a match notable for featuring four players who have all won the world singles title .
Tuesday saw England’s Jamie Walker and Northern Irelands’s Chloe Wilson team up to beat Les Gillett and Emily Kernick in the final of the Mixed Doubles competition.
Yesterday saw England’s Katherine Rednall storm to victory over compatriot Nicole Rogers in the Ladies Matchplay.
But it's the open singles tournament which attracts the most interest and where Scotland shines brightest - Scots Alex Marshall and Paul Foster have claimed the most titles, with six and five wins respectively.
And last year saw Scotland’s Jason Banks complete an unprecedented treble, winning the singles, open pairs and mixed pairs in the same year.
He’s already made the quarter-finals, along with fellow Scots Paul Foster, Stewart Anderson and Darren Burnett - with an all-Scottish final still a possibility.
Here's everything you need to know about this year's tournament and what’s happening today, Friday, January 23.
Where is the World Indoor Bowls Championship held?
The championships were first held in 1979 in Coatbridge but moved to England in 1989 when it was held in Preston's Guild Hall. In 1999, Potters Holidays took over the sponsorship and the event moved to its current home at the company's resort in Hopton-on-Sea.
Who are the defending champions?
In 2025 the Open Singles was won by Jason Banks, the Women's Singles by Julie Forrest, the Open Pairs by Jason Banks and Michael Stepney, the Mixed Pairs by Jason Banks and Beth Riva, and Ian Bond became the inaugural Masters champion.
What’s the prize money at the World Indoor Bowls?
The winner of the Open Singles will receive a cheque for £50,000, as will the winner of the Women’s Singles.
The winners of the Open Pairs and the Mixed Pairs will each win £20,000 (to be split between the two players).
How can I watch the World Indoor Bowls Championship?
From Monday, January 19, the matches will broadcast live by the BBC on the iPlayer and Red Button.
You can also watch them live on the Potters Resorts website here.
The Open Singles quarter finals, semi finals and final will all be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC Two and the BBC iPlayer.
What is the order of play today?
Here’s all the action happening today, Friday, January 23.
- 10am: Jason Banks v Nick Brett (Open Singles, quarter final)
- 1pm: Les Gillett v Paul Foster (Open Singles, quarter final)
- 3pm: Robert Paxton v Martin Puckett (Open Singles, quarter final)
- 7.30pm: Darren Burnett v Stewart Anderson (Open Singles, quarter final)
What Scottish bowlers are involved in the Open Singles?
Scotland's two all time greats of the bowls world are still in contention for the title they have won a remarkable 11 times between them. Alex Marshall lifted the title in 1999, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2015, while Paul Foster won in 1998, 2001, 2005, 2011 and 2017. Both have received MBEs in recognition for what they have brought to the sport. Meanwhile Stewart Anderson is a treble winner - triumphing in 2013, 2019 and 2024 - and defending champion Jason Banks will be hoping for a second singles title. They are joined in the draw by fellow-Scots Darren Burnett and Martyn Rice.
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