The Brunswick Euro Challenge is officially returning to the European bowling calendar in August 2026, marking a new chapter for one of the continent’s most prestigious tournaments.
As previously reported by BowlingLife, the event will relocate from Germany to Denmark and will be backed by Brunswick Bowling Products and VBS Bowling AB as joint main sponsors. The 2026 edition will feature a confirmed €10,000 first prize.
Now, Brunswick and VBS Bowling AB officials have confirmed to BowlingLife’s Erikas Jansonas that the venue and dates are set.
The Brunswick Euro Challenge will make its comeback at Løvvang Bowling Center in Aalborg, Denmark, from August 8–16, 2026. Registration is set to begin quite soon.
A Five-Year Commitment
The return of the tournament is not a short-term project. Brunswick, VBS Bowling AB and Løvvang Bowling Center have entered into a five-year partnership - a move designed to eliminate the uncertainty that surrounded previous Euro Challenge editions, which did not take place in 2023 and 2025.
Jordan Vanover, VP International at Brunswick Bowling Products, highlighted the importance of long-term stability.
“I believe it’s extremely important, as it provides stability for all parties to make long-term decisions that have a greater impact on everyone involved. It gives the host center the confidence to continue improving every aspect of the tournament - from the venue itself to the format and prize fund.”
“From a sponsor’s perspective, it allows us to take a long-term strategic approach to growing our brand(s) within the market, while also giving players the opportunity to showcase their skills and demonstrate their improvement year after year,” Vanover added.
A Perfect Match
When thinking about the biggest tournaments, it is crucial to have a bowling center that is not only large enough to host an event with hundreds of entries, but also experienced in organizing major competitions.
According to Göran Glendert, owner of VBS Bowling AB, Løvvang Bowling Center is exactly that.
"Løvvang Bowling Center has for decades been the organizer of many major competitions and knows what it takes for the Brunswick Euro Challenge to continue to be a success," Glendert said. "For us it was obvious that Løvvang Bowling Center was the right choice for this big competition for many years to come."
Jesper Lund Hedegaard, Managing Director of Løvvang Bowling Center, said that they have a strong commitment to the sport and that the venue is ready to host the Brunswick Euro Challenge on every level.
"We have extensive experience hosting major international events - most notably Aalborg International, which will be held for the 55th time from May 16–24, 2026. In addition, we recently hosted the European Men's Championships and will organize the European Youth Championships during Easter 2027," Hedegaard said. "These experiences have provided us with strong organizational expertise and valuable know-how, which we will bring into play to ensure that the Brunswick Euro Challenge once again develops into one of Europe’s largest and most prestigious tournaments.”
The venue halso had some significant upgrades.
“We have also recently completed a major renovation of our facilities. This includes a newly established lounge area with comfortable seating, darts, and social spaces where players can relax between squads. Furthermore, we have built a brand-new kitchen, significantly enhancing both the selection and quality of food available to players and visitors.”
Big Money On the Line
The organizers have also confirmed the financial framework.
“The first prize will be €10,000. For the 2026 edition, we are launching with a guaranteed minimum total prize fund of €70,000 - with clear ambitions to grow this further in the coming years,” Jesper Lund Hedegaard said.
Legacy and Big Ambitions
According to the organizers, the goal is to build one of Europe’s premier bowling events - a tournament that becomes a must-play stop for both local bowlers and the world’s top players.
“It is not only our ambition but our clear objective to make the tournament so attractive that it draws the very best players from around the world. Having top competitors will not only elevate the sporting level of the event but also contribute significantly to the continued development of bowling in Aalborg - particularly among our youth players and talented athletes," Jesper Lund Hedegaard emphasized. "Our goal is for the tournament to rank among the strongest and most respected events in Europe and, over time, to become a true “must-play” stop on the international calendar.”
From the regional perspective, VBS Bowling AB, one of the main sponsors of the event, sees the move as a big step forward for Scandinavian bowling.
“It is very important that one of Europe's largest and most popular competitions will be held in Scandinavia and Denmark," Göran Glendert said. "This means that many more players from the Nordic countries will get the chance to participate and compete against the best players in the world.”
He also highlighted the responsibility of continuing the tournament’s legacy.
“Hosting one of Europe's absolute largest and finest competitions and carrying on the legacy of Mr. Bill Hartofilis’ original tournament is not easy, but we will do everything we can to show that VBS Bowling AB together with Løvvang Bowling Center is the right choice.”
Back to EBT?
In the past, Brunswick Euro Challenge was the only platinum event on European Bowling Tour. According to the officials, the event is aiming to rejoin the EBT once again.
“We have enjoyed a strong and long-standing collaboration with the European Bowling Federation, and Aalborg International has consistently been part of the European Bowling Tour," esper Lund Hedegaard said "It is therefore our clear ambition for the Euro Challenge to once again become part of the tour - both for the benefit of the tournament itself and to further strengthen the European Bowling Tour as a whole.”
