The 2025 World Indoor Bowls Championship unfolded at the familiar Potters Resorts, welcoming elite bowlers from across the globe for a fiercely competitive tournament. The previous year had witnessed Stewart Anderson’s impressive triple crown, securing both the open singles title for the third time in his career and the open pairs alongside Darren Burnett. Katherine Rednall, a force of nature in women’s singles, had further solidified her reign, capturing her sixth championship in a decade at Potters Resorts. The stage was set for Rednall to potentially etch her name even deeper into the annals of bowls history with a seventh title.
The championship commenced with preliminary qualifying rounds for the pairs competition, spanning from Friday, January 10th through Sunday, January 12th. These initial rounds saw intense battles between pairs vying for a coveted spot in the main draw, setting the tone for the high-stakes competition to follow. Established names like Mervyn King and David Gourlay MBE entered the fray, showcasing their prowess and experience. The opening days were marked by a flurry of matches, quickly winnowing down the contenders and solidifying the pairs bracket.
Following the preliminary stages, the tournament proceeded with the Round of 16 for the pairs, intermingled with the preliminary qualifying rounds for the singles competition. This period, from Monday, January 13th to Sunday, January 19th, witnessed the pairs’ competition progress towards the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Concurrently, the singles began to take shape with preliminary rounds identifying promising contenders. The mixed pairs competition also commenced, adding another layer of excitement to the unfolding championship.
The second week of the tournament saw the focus shift increasingly towards the singles and mixed pairs events. The quarter-finals for the mixed pairs took place on Friday, January 17th, culminating in the semi-finals on Saturday and the final on Tuesday, January 21st. The ladies’ singles competition heated up, with quarter-finals spread across Sunday, January 19th, followed by the semi-finals on Wednesday and the final on Thursday, January 23rd. The men’s singles competition continued its steady progression with early rounds determining the matchups for the latter stages.
The culminating week of the championship brought the most anticipated matches of the tournament. The singles quarter-finals were held on Friday, January 24th, followed by the semi-finals on Saturday and the grand final on Sunday, January 26th. This final week promised a display of exceptional skill and nerve as the remaining competitors battled for the prestigious titles. Alongside the singles competition, the Masters event also took center stage, with semi-finals on Saturday and the final on Saturday evening. The championship concluded with the Potters Resorts Champion of Champions final on Sunday morning.
The 2025 World Indoor Bowls Championship offered comprehensive coverage for fans around the world. The initial week’s matches were streamed live on the World Bowls Tour’s YouTube and Facebook channels, ensuring accessibility for a global audience. The excitement intensified in the final week, with live broadcasts on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, bringing the thrilling climax of the tournament to a wider viewership. SunSport further enhanced the experience with a live blog covering the final week, providing real-time updates and insights into the unfolding drama.
