Bowling will officially be part of the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.

The news follows a wave of concern from athletes, federations, and national committees after the sport was initially excluded from the Pan American Games earlier this year.

The decision to reinstate bowling was confirmed during the Panam Sports General Assembly held in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Bowling will join racquetball as the two final additions to the competition program, bringing the total number of sports at Lima 2027 to 38.

This is a reversal of the original decision announced in June, when Panam Sports named only 36 sports for the upcoming Games, leaving out bowling for the first time since its official debut at Havana 1991.

In response to the exclusion, Canadian national team member François Lavoie released an open letter on June 22, urging the bowling community to act. He emphasized the impact of the removal, particularly the loss of recognition from National Olympic Committees (NOCs), which could affect funding, athlete development, and international participation across the Americas.

Lavoie’s statement highlighted how bowling’s presence in events like the Pan American Games secures government support in many countries. Without that platform, he warned, bowling risked losing vital resources that fuel national teams and youth pipelines.

The campaign gained traction. According to the Panam Sports President Neven Ilic, many NOCs reached out to Panam Sports, which ultimately reconsidered its stance. The organization acknowledged the value that bowling brings to the continent and approved its inclusion in the Lima 2027 sports program.

Lima previously hosted bowling during the 2019 Games, using a modern facility at the Villa Deportiva Nacional (VIDENA). That venue is expected to return in 2027, requiring no major updates.