The 2026 European Bowling Tour season is heading to Denmark for a milestone celebration on the lanes.
Since its debut in 1964, the Aalborg International has served as a premier meeting point for the world’s elite and the sport’s rising stars. This May 16–24 marks the 55th edition of the storied event, and the organizers are pulling out all the stops to celebrate nearly six decades of competition.
The action takes place at Løvvang Bowling Center, Denmark’s largest bowling facility. With 30 newly renovated lanes, the center provides a sleek, modern backdrop for a tournament built on a foundation of sportsmanship and international friendship that dates back over half a century.
Join the Action in Denmark
Total Prize Pool: €54,400
Don't miss your chance to compete in one of Europe's longest-running tournaments. Secure your squad spot today!
Register NowTournament Format
The qualifying round consists of 6 games, with unlimited re-entries allowed. A total of 48 players will advance to the finals, including qualifiers from the general standings and special categories like Early Bird, Female, Senior, U23, and Turbo.
The final stages move quickly. After a 5-game scratch set in Step 1, the tournament shifts to a unique pool play format.
In Step 2 and Step 3, players compete in pools for points based on their finishing position in each game. This high-pressure system culminates in a 1-game title match between the top two survivors on May 24.
Past Champions
The lanes in Aalborg have seen some incredible talent over the last few years.
Last year, England’s Ben Robinson put on a clinic. He led the qualification with a 1485 series and capped off his week with a 256–234 win against Denmark’s Jesper Agerbo. Robinson trailed early in title match but found a way to string together seven strikes in a row to seal the win. It was his third career EBT title and earned him the €10,000 top prize. He’ll be the one to watch again this year to see if he can defend his title.
In 2024, it was Sweden’s Robin Ilhammar who stood at the top of the podium, marking the second consecutive year a Swedish bowler had triumphed in Aalborg. Ilhammar’s journey to his second EBT title was a grind; he qualified in ninth place and fought through the challenging pool play stages. He eventually secured the trophy by defeating Norway's Mathias Danielsen Otting in the final.
The big question is whether Robinson and Ilhammar can repeat their magic on the lanes, or if we’re about to see a new champion break into this elite group.
Prize Money
The event features a significant €54,400 total prize fund. The champion will walk away with €8,000, while the runner-up earns €5,000.
Payouts remain strong throughout the field: semifinalists in 3rd and 4th place receive €3,000, while 5th and 6th place take home €2,000.
The prize money reaches all the way down to 64th place, ensuring that a large portion of the field is rewarded for their performance.
Full Tournament Schedule
Plan your trip to Aalborg with the full squad schedule below:
| Date | Squad / Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, May 16 | Squad 01 & 02 | 12:00 / 15:00 |
| Sun, May 17 | Squad 03 & 04 | 12:00 / 15:00 |
| Mon, May 18 | Squad 05 | 18:30 |
| Tue, May 19 | Squad 06 | 18:30 |
| Wed, May 20 | Squad 07 | 18:30 |
| Thu, May 21 | Squad 08, 09, 10 | 11:00 / 15:00 / 19:00 |
| Fri, May 22 | Squad 11, 12, 13 | 11:00 / 15:00 / 19:00 |
| Sat, May 23 | Squad 14, 15, 16 | 09:00 / 13:00 / 17:00 |
| Sun, May 24 | Final Steps 1-4 | Starts 09:00 |
About Løvvang Bowling Center
Løvvang Bowling Center is a world-class host for major international events.
In addition to the 55th Aalborg International, the venue has hosted European Men's Championships and is the future site of the 2027 European Youth Championships.
Furthermore, the center recently signed a ten-year deal to host the prestigious Brunswick Euro Challenge, which will take place on August 8-16.
