The IBF World Cup 2026 takes place from October 12 to 21, 2026, at Max Munich Bowling in Brunnthal, just outside Munich, Germany. It is the International Bowling Federation’s world event for national teams, with men’s and women’s singles and team competitions. The IBF organizes the event together with the German Bowling Federation (DBU), with QubicaAMF as presenting partner. According to the IBF, this is the first time the IBF World Cup is held in Europe.
Who can compete
The World Cup is not an open tournament. Entries go through national federations, and every IBF member federation in good standing may send one team of four men and one team of four women. The field includes 44 men’s teams and 26 women’s teams, a total of 176 men and 104 women. The federation entry deadline was June 30, 2026.
Singles format
The singles competition comes first. Players are drawn into four groups per gender and play round-robin matches within smaller pools. A win is worth 3 points and a tie is worth 1 point. The top two men and the top four women from each pool advance to a 32-player bracket, where every match is best of three games.
Team format
In the first team round, bowlers score points for their federation through individual qualifying. Teams then play round-robin matches in groups, with best-of-three Baker games. The top four men’s teams and the top eight women’s teams from each group reach the Round of 16. From there, matches are best of five Baker games through to the final on October 21. Both losing semifinalists receive bronze medals.
Equipment, lanes and oil pattern
Only USBC-approved urethane balls with a minimum hardness of 78D are allowed, and each bowler can register up to six balls. Play follows World Bowling rules with a 30-second shot clock. The center has 30 lanes with QubicaAMF pinsetters and BES X scoring, and the lanes are dressed with Kegel machines. The oil pattern is linked on this page.
Entry fee and prizes
The IBF World Cup is played for medals and world titles, and no prize fund has been published. The entry fee is USD 300 (about €270) per player, coach and official, paid through each federation. It covers accreditation, the opening ceremony, the victory banquet and airport transfers for teams staying at the official hotels.
Results and livestream
Official results will be linked on this page when they are published. Livestream details have not yet appeared in the official event documents.
