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Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament

Running every year from the second Sunday of July through to Friday, the Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament brings bowlers together on the coast.
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Established

1924

Location

Eastbourne, East Sussex

Tournament Week

Sunday-Friday (Starting the second Sunday of July)

Format

Singles, Pairs & Team Competitions

About the Eastbourne Open

For over a century, the Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament has been a highlight of the summer season on the South Coast. First held in 1924, the tournament brings together bowlers from across the country for a friendly, competitive and well-organised week of play.

We pride ourselves on our warm welcome, strong community spirit, and long tradition of excellent bowling. Hosted each July at Eastbourne’s beautifully maintained greens, the tournament continues to grow while staying true to the values that have shaped it for more than 100 years.

Meet the Committee

The Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament is run by a dedicated team of volunteers who work throughout the year to organise, manage and deliver the event. Their experience, commitment and love for the sport help ensure the tournament remains one of the highlights of the summer bowls calendar.
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Learn More About Lawn Bowls

Lawn bowls is a friendly, accessible and inclusive sport enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. The aim is simple: roll your bowl as close as possible to the small white ball, known as the jack. Games can be played individually or in teams, and combine skill, strategy and good sportsmanship.

Whether you're a seasoned player or completely new to the game, bowls offers a relaxed, social and enjoyable way to stay active and meet new people.
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Our Tournament Venues

The Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament is hosted across several of the town’s finest greens. Each venue offers excellent playing surfaces, welcoming facilities, and easy access for players and spectators.

Eastbourne Bowling Club (Saffrons)

One of the town’s premier clubs, known for top-class greens and a traditional bowls atmosphere.

Gildredge Park Bowling Club

Located in the heart of Eastbourne, Gildredge Park provides beautifully maintained greens surrounded by scenic gardens.

Motcombe Gardens Bowling Club

A picturesque and peaceful setting perfect for competitive play.

Hampden Park Bowling Club

A spacious venue set within Hampden Park, offering excellent facilities for players and spectators alike.

Parade Bowling Club

Situated just off the seafront, Parade BC is known for its welcoming members and well-maintained rinks.

Royal Sovereign Bowling Club

A friendly and long-established local club offering excellent rinks and a strong community feel.

Enter the Tournament

Ready to take part in the 2026 event? Use our form to register for your chosen competitions, pay your entry fee securely, and confirm your place. The process is simple and accessible for players of all ages and abilities.

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2025 Tournament Highlights

Here’s a look back at Finals Day from the 95th Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament – a week of excellent bowling, close matches, memorable performances and outstanding sportsmanship.

Men’s Pairs

Simon “Kitkat” Knight & Alec “Bo” Martin (Eastbourne BC) took on Ray Smith & Mike “Massage” Parlour (West Wimbledon). After a tight battle and two vital scores of four, the Eastbourne pair pulled ahead and secured a 19–12 victory.

Mixed Pairs

Defending champions Rachel Mackriell (Polegrove BC) & Mike Taylor (Eastbourne BC) faced Toni & Lee Dickson. A strong early lead kept them in control, and despite a late comeback, they retained their title 17–14.

Ladies Singles

Rachel Mackriell returned to the green to claim her 7th Ladies Singles title, defeating Lynne Cleaver (Eastbourne BC) 21–3 with a commanding performance.

Men’s Singles

A dramatic and high-quality final between Alec Martin and Lee Dickson. Scores tied at 16–16 before Lee won four consecutive ends to take the title 22–16 in a thrilling finish.

Men’s Triples

Martin O’Toole, Craig Mallinson & Les Perry (Eastbourne BC) met Graham Bridges, Jono Dalton & Paul Ward. The visitors proved too strong, winning 22–7.

Mixed Triples

A local derby between two Gildredge Park BC–connected teams. Jennie Townsend, Jack Wilson & Andy “Pickle” Hayward finished strongly, taking the title 20–13.

Final Ceremony & Thanks

Prizes were presented by the Mayor of Eastbourne, Cllr Margaret Bannister, alongside Tournament President Jo Doust. Thanks were given to all volunteers, sponsors Wendy & Neil Kirby (Langham Hotel) and Rob Ferguson (Alford Awards), and to Tournament Umpire Terry “The Grumpire” Boniface and Wendy Davenport for their contributions.

Tournament Rules & Player Guidelines

Our tournament follows a simple and fair set of rules to ensure enjoyable and competitive play for everyone. Below is a clear overview of the key points all players should be aware of.

Interpretation
All competition games in the Tournament shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the World Bowls Board, as interpreted and applied by Bowls England and as supplemented by these Rules, which are compiled and shall be enforced by the Tournament Committee.
Entry Form
Each year the Tournament Committee shall produce and distribute the official Entry Form for the succeeding year’s Tournament. The form shall incorporate submission instructions and detail Prizes to be awarded.
Programme
Each year the Tournament Committee shall publish and make available an official Programme for the forthcoming Tournament. It shall include the Rules, the current Organisational arrangements and details of the draw for each competition.
Bowls Stamp
All bowls used in the Tournament must bear a valid I.B.B. or B.I.B.C. stamp dated 1985, or later.
Replacement
Between the date of the draw and the commencement of the Tournament, the Tournament Committee may replace any entrant or team who has withdrawn with another upon full receipt of the appropriate fee.
Timing
All competitors shall report to the Tournament Official at the venue at which they are due to play prior to the start time scheduled in the Tournament Programme. Subject to the provisions of Rules 14 and 16 start times shall be adhered to. Any competitor failing to report his presence and availability to play within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time shall be disqualified and the game awarded to his/her opponent unless prior agreement has been obtained from the Tournament Committee. Games shall be played as drawn and scheduled in the Tournament Programme however, the Tournament Officials may, at their discretion, bring forward or put back start times of any match if all participants are present and an appropriate rink is available.
Dress Code
In all rounds prior to the Finals day competitors are required to wear white collared tops (or registered Bowling Club shirts) above the waist with grey trousers / skirts / shorts and regulation flat, rubber soled, bowling shoes. Only shorts produced by recognized bowlswear manufacturers or approved by Bowls England are permitted. For Finals day, competitors are required to wear all-white dress or registered Bowling Club shirts and white trousers/Shorts or skirts with shoes as specified.
‘The Team’
For the purposes of substitution, the players participating in the team’s first game shall constitute the ‘team’.
Substitutes
Players who have played in a competition may not substitute for another team in the same competition. In the event of a team withdrawing from the Tournament prior to its commencement (see Rule 5 above), individual players may play for an alternative team. No entrant may withdraw from any competition in order to play in any competition as a substitute. The Tournament Committee is empowered to accept one bona fide substitute (Pairs) or two bona fide substitutes (Triples and Mixed Triples) while the team remains in the competition. Substitutes may not skip. Teams may revert to their original line-up at any round up to and including the Semi-finals (see Rule 8).
Singles
The competitor who first scores 21 shots, or most shots at the expiry of any imposed time-limit shall be adjudged the winner. Pairs: The team with the higher score after 21 ends, or at the expiry of any imposed time-limit shall be adjudged the winners. Triples and Mixed Triples: The team with the higher score after 18 ends, or at the expiry of any imposed time-limit shall be adjudged the winners. In all games should a tie occur, an extra end shall be played – toss for jack with challenger to call.
Score Cards
In all games the official score-cards shall be used. In Singles games the card shall be kept by the appointed Marker and the completed card shall be signed by both players. In Pairs, Triples and Mixed Triples the card shall be maintained by competitors on the green and completed cards shall be signed by both skips. Completed cards shall be handed to the presiding Tournament Official at that venue. For Semi-Finals and Finals only, completed cards shall be handed to and checked by the Umpire.
Marking
Singles players who lose their first round Singles games are required to make themselves available to ‘mark’ the next round if it occurs on the same day. Notices to this effect are displayed at each venue. Failure to comply with this rule will result in exclusion from all other competitions in the tournament – no exceptions.
Indication
Singles: Any singles player who is determined to be receiving instruction from a spectator as to which shot / hand to play shall, in the first instance, be warned by the umpire and shall be disqualified from the competition should this re-occur.
Time Limits
On the first day of each competition – Singles, Pairs, Triples and Mixed Triples games shall not exceed 3 hours. Players will be notified five minutes prior to the expiry of time-limits. Games played on subsequent days shall not be subject to time-limits unless deemed necessary by the Tournament Committee – in which case players will be notified prior to the commencement of games affected.
Slow Play
In all competitions up to but excluding the semi-finals and finals, only one visit to the head may be made by any team (player in the case of Singles) during any end. If any player, having been warned by the Umpire, continues to break this rule they / their team shall be disqualified from further participation in the competition concerned and the match awarded to their opponent(s). There is no limit to the number of visits that may be made during semi-finals and finals.
Adverse Weather
The Umpire or Tournament Official at any venue may suspend or postpone play at their absolute discretion. They may also re-allocate venues / rinks / times of play in consultation with the Tournament Committee. If necessary, water-proof protective sheeting may be placed at each playing end such that any bowl delivered must be greened on it. The Tournament Committee may, at their total discretion, abandon any competition in its entirety at any time should it be impossible to complete within the Tournament’s playing parameters due to adverse weather conditions prevailing. Entry fees will be retained and placed in Tournament funds. The competitions are prioritized as follows: Singles, Pairs, Triples, Mixed Triples. In the event any match is abandoned due to adverse weather conditions on the instruction of the Umpire or Tournament Official, the score at the time of the abandonment shall constitute the result if a minimum of thirteen ends has been completed.
Players failing to attend the prize-giving shall forfeit their prizes which shall be returned to Tournament funds.
Complaints
During the playing days of the Tournament, any competitor wishing to lodge a formal complaint should do so in writing at Tournament Headquarters where it will be considered and a report made on action (if any) that results.
Any entrant under the age of 18, or deemed ‘vulnerable’ must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all venues. Failure to comply will result in immediate exclusion from the Tournament.
Data Protection
All entrants must familiarise themselves with the Tournament Data Protection Policy found on our website www.eobt.club and in the Tournament Programme.
Get in Touch
Have a question about the tournament, registration, or anything else? We’re always happy to help. Contact the Eastbourne Open Bowls Tournament team using the details below.
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