Terengganu to Host 11-Nation Malaysia Open Lawn Bowls as Bowls Malaysia Gears Up for World Series Finals
About 250 bowlers from 11 nations head to Kuala Nerus on 25–31 October for the Malaysia Open, ahead of the World Bowls Series Finals in KL.
Lawn bowls may not get much attention on Malaysian sports pages, but the country is a strong force in the sport, and two world-level events are coming here soon. The Malaysia Lawn Bowls Association (PLBM) will hold the Malaysia Open Lawn Bowls Championship, the Royal Patron 2026 Cup, at the Gong Badak Sports Complex in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, from 25 to 31 October.
The event in brief
RTM reported on 29 September that about 250 players from 11 countries are expected. The players range from 10-year-olds to bowlers in their 60s and 70s. Countries confirmed so far include Australia, New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei.
- Dates: 25–31 October 2026
- Venue: Gong Badak Sports Complex, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
- Opening ceremony: 27 October, officiated by the Regent of Terengganu, Tengku Muhammad Ismail
- Status: World Bowls Series Gold tier, which means valuable ranking points
- Prize money: US$25,000 in total, according to Bowls Northern Territory's invitation to Australian players
PLBM said venue preparations were about 80% complete and registrations were close to 90% full.
PLBM president Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz described the tournament as the best platform for local players to test themselves against the world's best. The ranking points are a big reason: the Gold status gives Malaysian bowlers a chance to move up the world rankings in front of a home crowd.
Why the timing matters
The ranking points come at a useful time. A month later, Malaysia hosts the World Bowls Series Finals at Arena Lawn Bowls, National Sports Complex, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. Play runs from 2 to 4 December, within a wider event week from 30 November to 5 December.
Only 12 men and 12 women qualify for the Finals, based on World Bowls Series rankings as of 31 October. That is the day the Terengganu tournament finishes. Players are split into two sections of six, with the top finishers going through to the quarter-finals. Every player gets at least five games, and matches are played over two sets with a tie-break. The men's and women's champions will also be named the year-end world number ones for 2026.
"Hosting the 2026 World Bowls Series Finals is a great honour for Bowls Malaysia," Datuk Awalan said when the hosting was announced, as reported by Bowls International. World Bowls chose Malaysia for its bowls history, its facilities and its record as host of the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the 2025 Bowls World Cup.
Malaysia's credentials
Malaysian bowlers have a strong record at this level. Three Malaysians played at the last World Bowls Series Finals, held in December 2025 at cluBarham in New South Wales:
- Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple: a former World Bowls Series world number one
- Emma Firyana Saroji: a World Cup singles gold medallist
- Nurul Alyani Jamil: a World Cup bronze medallist
Only Australia (nine) and England (five) had more players in that 30-player field.
Key takeaways
- The Malaysia Open Lawn Bowls Championship (Royal Patron 2026 Cup) runs from 25 to 31 October at Gong Badak, Kuala Nerus, with about 250 players from 11 countries.
- The event has World Bowls Series Gold status and, according to Bowls NT, US$25,000 in prize money.
- World Bowls Series Finals places are decided by rankings as of 31 October, the last day of the Terengganu event.
- Kuala Lumpur hosts the World Bowls Series Finals at Bukit Kiara from 2 to 4 December.
FAQ
Who can watch the Malaysia Open lawn bowls? It is held at the Gong Badak Sports Complex in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, from 25 to 31 October. The official opening is on 27 October.
What are the World Bowls Series Finals? The season-ending event for the top 12 men and top 12 women in the World Bowls Series rankings. The champions are named the year-end world number ones.
Has Malaysia hosted big bowls events before? Yes. Malaysia hosted lawn bowls at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the 2025 Bowls World Cup.
Sources: RTM (Berita RTM), Bowls International, World Bowls, Bowls NT