Host nation Scotland is set to compete in all three events and looking to defend their titles after winning gold in each Para Bowls discipline at Birmingham 2022. Joining them on the rinks will be Australia, England, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and Wales. 

The Bowls and Para Bowls competitions will take place from Friday 24 July to Sunday 2 August 2026 and promises to deliver a vibrant and competitive field for one of the Games’ most inclusive sports.

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is set to be the UK’s largest sporting event next summer, bringing together 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories to compete for more than 200 medals. Para sport will be at the heart of the action, with 47 medal events across six disciplines – the most expansive Para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history. 

0:45
World Bowls CEO Neil Dalrymple, talking at this year's World Bowls Championships in Scotland

Para Bowls made its debut as a demonstration sport at Victoria 1994, before officially joining the Commonwealth Games programme at Manchester 2002. Since then, it has featured at Glasgow 2014, Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022, with Glasgow 2026 matching the three-event format seen in Birmingham.

Malaysia returns to the Para Bowls line-up for the first time since Glasgow 2014, having previously won two bronze medals at Manchester 2002, whilst Singapore will make its debut in the Para Bowls disciplines at a Commonwealth Games.

There's nothing that beats, the Commonwealth Games environment when it is Games time!
Rebecca Van Asch, High Performance Manager for Bowls Australia

Six nations – Australia, England, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales – continue their 100% attendance record, having qualified once again through their respective Commonwealth Games Associations.

Ann-Louise Morgan, Director of Sport, Commonwealth Sport said: “The integrated sports programme is one of the defining features of the Commonwealth Games, and Para Bowls exemplifies the unique spirit of inclusion that sets our Movement apart. Glasgow 2026 will showcase the very best of the sport, with world-class Athletes competing in front of passionate home crowds. With a new indoor format, we’re proud to see the Games once again leading the way in innovation, delivering thrilling competition while ensuring Para athletes remain at the heart of the action.”

Rebecca Van Asch, High Performance Manager for Bowls Australia one of Australia’s most decorated lawn bowlers said “We're really excited. Any time you get to get to a Commonwealth Games is fantastic. We had some great performances at the last Games in Birmingham, so we're hoping to build on that now. There's nothing that beats, the Commonwealth Games environment when it is Games time. I'm sure, Glasgow as a city and Scotland as a whole, will be phenomenal and really be buzzing. We’ll try and feed off that energy.”

Jade Gallagher, Chief Operating Officer, Glasgow 2026 said “Para Bowls is a wonderful example of the Commonwealth Games’ commitment to inclusion. Para sport is at the very heart of this Games and it’s apt that the first sport qualification announcement is from a Para sport, showing the strength and depth of the whole sport programme that will take place in Glasgow next year. 

“We look forward to watching a diverse line-up of nations compete in Glasgow, including debutants and returning medal contenders; the stage is set for an inspiring, exciting and altogether brilliant Games next summer.”