Quick Read
- Katherine Rednall secured her seventh Ladies Matchplay title at the World Indoor Bowls Championships 2026.
- Rednall defeated Nicole Rogers 2-1 in an all-English final at Potters Resorts in Hopton-on-Sea.
- Defending Open Singles champion Jason Banks advanced to the quarter-finals, aiming for back-to-back titles.
- Banks’ victory over Aaron Johnson (2-1) keeps his historic title defense alive, a feat not achieved in 16 years.
- The championships offer £50,000 prize money for singles winners and are broadcast live on BBC Two and iPlayer.
Katherine Rednall has once again cemented her place in bowls history, securing her remarkable seventh Ladies Matchplay title at the World Indoor Bowls Championships 2026. The prestigious tournament, held at Potters Resorts in Hopton-on-Sea, England, has been a hotbed of drama and elite competition, with Rednall’s victory on January 22 standing out as a testament to her enduring dominance. Her triumph comes as defending Open Singles champion Jason Banks continues his own historic bid to retain his title, making this year’s championships a compelling narrative of established champions and rising stars.
Rednall’s journey to her seventh crown culminated in a gripping all-English final against Nicole Rogers, a four-time semi-finalist who was making her maiden appearance in the championship match. In a tightly contested battle broadcast live on BBC Two and iPlayer, Rednall ultimately edged out Rogers with a 2-1 victory. Her path to the final included a decisive 2-0 win (8-6, 9-5) over Scotland’s Lesley Doig in the semi-finals, showcasing the consistent form that has defined her illustrious career. This latest achievement further solidifies Rednall’s legacy as one of the sport’s most decorated female athletes, setting an exceptionally high standard for her peers.
Banks’ Pursuit of Back-to-Back Glory
While Rednall celebrated her victory, the drama continued to unfold in the Open Singles, where Scotland’s Jason Banks is on a mission to defend his title. Banks, who achieved an unprecedented treble in 2025 by winning the open singles, open pairs, and mixed pairs, has successfully kept his title defense alive. He faced England’s Aaron Johnson, a promising talent making his Top 16 debut, in a thrilling last-16 encounter. In a rematch of their 2024 Scottish International Open final, Banks once again emerged victorious with a narrow 2-1 scoreline (8-4, 7-11, 2-1). This win propels him into the quarter-finals, where he is set to challenge England’s Nick Brett, the ninth seed and a former champion from a decade ago. Should Banks succeed in retaining his title, he would become the first player in 16 years to achieve back-to-back Open Singles crowns, echoing the legendary feats of Alex Marshall.
A Tournament Brimming with Talent and History
Beyond the headline-grabbing performances of Rednall and Banks, the 2026 World Indoor Bowls Championships have been rich with competitive action and historical significance. Third-ranked Robert Paxton, the 2020 winner, demonstrated his consistent prowess by securing his 11th last-eight appearance with a 1.5-0.5 victory (7-5, 6-6) over English compatriot Mervyn King. The championships also continue to highlight Scotland’s enduring dominance in the open singles, with legends like Alex Marshall and Paul Foster collectively holding 11 titles between them. Marshall, with six titles, and Foster, with five, remain formidable contenders in the current draw, alongside three-time champion Stewart Anderson and fellow Scots Darren Burnett and Martyn Rice. This strong Scottish contingent underscores the country’s deep-rooted bowls tradition and the exceptional talent it consistently produces.
Key Results and Championship Details
The tournament has also seen other significant finals conclude. On January 19, the Open Pairs final featured an all-Scottish clash, with the formidable duo of Paul Foster and Alex Marshall claiming their fifth pairs title together by defeating Stewart Anderson and Darren Burnett. The following day, the Mixed Doubles final saw England’s Jamie Walker and Northern Ireland’s Chloe Wilson team up to overcome Les Gillett and Emily Kernick, showcasing the international flair and collaborative spirit of the event. The World Indoor Bowls Championships boast a rich history, tracing their origins back to Coatbridge in 1979 before finding their permanent home at Potters Resorts in Hopton-on-Sea in 1999. The stakes are considerable, with the champions in both the Open Singles and Ladies Singles each taking home a substantial £50,000 prize, while the Open Pairs and Mixed Pairs winners share £20,000 per team. This significant prize money reflects the sport’s growing professional profile and the intense level of competition. For fans worldwide, BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, and the Red Button have provided comprehensive coverage, complemented by free global streaming on the World Bowls Tour’s YouTube and Facebook channels.
The January 22 schedule was packed with crucial last-16 Open Singles matches, including Martin Puckett versus Scott Walker, Tom Holmes against Stewart Anderson, and Jamie Walker facing Darren Burnett, all leading up to the highly anticipated Ladies Matchplay Final. The atmosphere at Potters Resorts has been electric, with spectators witnessing a blend of strategic play, nerve-wracking finishes, and moments of pure sporting brilliance. The camaraderie among players, even across different sports as noted with Mervyn King’s support for local bowlers, adds a unique charm to the championships.
The ongoing World Indoor Bowls Championships 2026 continue to captivate audiences by delivering a compelling mix of established champions reaffirming their dominance and emerging talents pushing the boundaries of the sport. The consistent high-level competition, combined with the tournament’s rich history and significant prize money, ensures its status as a premier event in the bowls calendar, constantly producing memorable moments that resonate with fans globally.