The 122nd edition of the USBC Open Championships officially began Saturday at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada.
More than 11,000 teams will compete during this year’s USBC Open Championships. Competition will run for 128 consecutive days and conclude on July 19.
The USBC Open Championships traditionally begin with a ceremonial first ball, a custom that dates back to 1951 under the title “Joe Bowler.”
Last year, the event introduced the “Josephine Bowler” distinction, continuing the long-standing tradition with a new name.
This year, Vicki Larsen of Caldwell, Idaho, was selected as the 2026 “Josephine Bowler” and delivered the ceremonial first shot to officially open the tournament. Larsen rolled a nine count, leaving only the 10 pin standing to start the 122nd edition of the USBC Open Championships.
Saturday also featured the traditional Mass Ball Shot, where one member from each team rolls a ball at the same time to officially mark the start of competition.
USBC Open Format
Bowlers at the USBC Open Championships will compete in team, doubles and singles events. Each participant bowls three games in each discipline, for a total of nine games. Competition is divided into Regular, Standard and Classified divisions based on average.
Titles will also be awarded in all-events, which combines the nine-game totals.
Early Leaders
After the first day of competition, Storm Bowling of Fort Worth, Texas, leads the Regular Team division with 2,857. The team rolled games of 934, 932 and 991.
In the Standard Team division, Maple Family Centers 1 of Rockville Centre, New York, and Plaza Lanes of St. Charles, Missouri, are tied at 2,640.
Hoosier Connection #2 of Brownsburg, Indiana, leads the Classified Team division with 2,352.
The first doubles and singles squad of the 2026 USBC Open Championships will begin Sunday at 7 a.m. Pacific Time.
