Remember the movie Night at the Museum, where the exhibits come alive after
dark?
It makes you wonder what happens at a bowling centre after midnight - maybe the string pins come alive? Maybe the bowling balls start drinking cold beer and eating nachos? Well, at the
2026 IBF World Cup, some bowlers stayed late enough to find out.
Their singles session at Max Munich Bowling in Brunnthal, Germany, began at 22:30, more than two hours behind schedule. The last matches finished at about 02:15 on early Thursday morning.
A bowler who competed in the late sessions and wished to remain anonymous described the start and finish times as “completely unacceptable”.
“I think I can say that bowlers (including myself) in these rounds weren't given conditions to perform at fullest potential compared to those playing in normal day hours, and that such a thing shouldn't have happened.”
Despite the late finish, Sweden's Jesper Svensson ended with all 11 wins and a place in the men's Top 32.
Speaking to the Swedish Bowling Federation, National team captain Robert Andersson said that the experience to play at night was something different, yet, the focus was elsewhere.
“Very special to play from 22:30 to 02:15. But our focus was only on the game and staying in the process the whole way. Jesper is very professional and accepted the situation.”
Svensson was one of four bowlers to advance from the two pools, alongside Peru's Adrian Tokashiki, Australia's Jackson Buckingham and Hong Kong's Keith Mark.
Lapid Found a Way to Stay Ready
Israel's Yaari Lapid told BowlingLife that he had not expected to bowl so late. But once the delays became clear, he returned to the hotel after his teammate's session and took a short nap.
“It helped me to restart my body and I even lost consciousness of the time. I wasn't tired during the block at all and I think the high adrenaline helped me stay awake.”
Lapid finished sixth in Pool 3 with 21 points, three behind the tie for second place.
“Even though it was late, you had to find a solution to stay in the present, make good shots and stay focused.”
Asked whether late-session bowlers were at a disadvantage compared with those competing during the day, Lapid disagreed.
“I would have to disagree because you bowl against only people that play in the same time as you in this format. Average doesn't matter.”
The IBF Explains the Delays
Asked what caused the delays and whether players or team captains had raised concerns, IBF vice-president Marios Nicolaides cited the schedule, pace of play and operational issues.
“The delays during the singles qualifying sessions were due
to a combination of factors, including a tight competition schedule, a
slower pace of play, and operational and technical matters. We have not received any official complaints from players or team captains
regarding the late finishes. The participants understood the circumstances
that contributed to the delays and handled the situation in a very
professional manner, which we greatly appreciate," Nicolaides said.
“We are grateful to all participants for their understanding, patience, and professionalism throughout the competition.”
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