Three Storm-sponsored bowling tournaments will be connected through a new joint ranking system during the 2026 season, known as the Thunder Ranking.
The ranking will combine results from three major events across Finland, Sweden, and Norway, with players earning Thunder Ranking points at each stop.
The Thunder Ranking is designed to reward consistent performance across multiple international events and will offer both prize money and valuable exemptions for the 2027 season.
Thunder Ranking Events – 2026
The three tournaments included in the Thunder Ranking are:
-
Storm 4th No Urethane Open
April 13–26, 2026
Lahti, Finland -
Storm Lucky Larsen Masters
August 21–31, 2026
Helsingborg, Sweden -
Norwegian Open by Storm
August 29 – September 6, 2026
Sarpsborg, Norway
Players who compete in these events will automatically collect Thunder Ranking points based on their performances in each tournament.
Why the Thunder Ranking Was Created
According to Martin Larsen, Head of Aftermarket & Consumer Sales in
Scandinavia at Bowltech and one of the organizers of the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters, the
Thunder Ranking was created to reward commitment and provide new opportunities
for certain tournament formats.
“Bowltech and Storm like to reward
bowlers who bowl a lot. Also, at the moment there’s no way for tournaments
using the 78 hardness rule or ‘no urethane’ to attend on the European Bowing
Tour, this is something new for those tournaments.”
The Thunder
Ranking also represents a closer connection between the three tournaments
involved, supported by Storm and Bowltwech.
“Bowltech and Storm
supports those 3 great tournaments and the Thunder Ranking connects them in a
new way, they’re all looking to grow and we think that this can be a little
piece of that puzzle. There’s been some good talk between the 3 events,
Bowltwech and Storm, this is a start," Martin Larsen said.
Potential for Future Expansion
While the Thunder Ranking will debut in 2026, organizers see it as a testing ground for possible future development.
“It’s for sure possible that it could grow, 2026 will be year to test it out and at the same time see where the bowling world will go when it comes to hardness rules etc.”
2026 Thunder Ranking Bonus Prize Money
At the conclusion of the 2026 season, the top-ranked players will earn bonus prize money:
- 1st place: €1,000
- 2nd place: €750
- 3rd place: €500
Thunder Ranking 2027 Exemptions
In addition to prize money, the Thunder Ranking will award nine exemption spots for the 2027 season. Each exemption includes a free first squad entry in all three Storm-sponsored events in 2027, with an estimated value of €400–€450 per player.
The nine exemption spots will be awarded as follows:
- Top 5 players in the overall Thunder Ranking
- Highest-ranked woman
- Highest-ranked +50 player (born 1976 or earlier)
- Highest-ranked U21 man (born 2005 or later)
- Highest-ranked U21 woman (born 2005 or later)
A New Incentive Across Storm Events
By linking three major tournaments under one ranking system, the Thunder
Ranking adds an extra competitive layer to the 2026 season. Players are
encouraged not only to perform well in individual events, but also to compete
consistently across multiple international stops.
Entries are now open for the Storm 4th No Urethane Open. Registration for the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters and the Norwegian Open by
Storm will follow later in the year.
Follow the updates on
BowlingLife's Tournament Finder page.
