Bendigo Bowls Club confirmed as venue for 2026 Commonwealth Games lawn bowls events

The Bendigo Bowls Club has been confirmed as the venue for the 2026 Commonwealth Games lawn bowls events, joining Bendigo Stadium where athletes will compete in netball.

Bendigo Bowls Club was established in 1872 and is one of the largest clubs in the region - boasting Gold Coast 2018 lawn bowls gold medallist Aaron Wilson among its members.

At the Commonwealth Games in 2018, lawn bowls featured 240 athletes from 28 nations.

The Commonwealth Games will be held between 17th-29th March 2026, beginning with the Opening Ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground where athletes and visitors from around Australia and the world will gather to celebrate the start of the Games.

The Opening Ceremony will be followed by 12 days of competition between the Commonwealth’s best athletes across regional Victoria, spotlighting the region to the world.

As a regional hub alongside Ballarat, Geelong and Gippsland, Bendigo is expected to benefit significantly from the Games, including the creation of additional housing, world-class sports facilities and thousands of jobs.

An expressions of interest process for additional sports to be included in the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games has commenced and will involve submissions from international sporting federations with support from recognised or affiliated Australian organisations. The period for consideration will close on 19th August.

International Federations wanting to express an interest in participating in Victoria 2026 should contact Victoria2026Sports@sport.vic.gov.au

Victorian Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan notes “The Commonwealth Games will deliver major benefits to the regions, and it is fantastic to see local clubs including Bendigo Bowls Club and Bendigo Stadium will soon become the home of some of the world’s best athletes.

“Not only will the Games provide a boost to jobs, hospitality and our local economy, but it will also allow use to share our incredible regional communities with the rest of the world.”

Image: Victorian Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan was accompanied by the Mayor of Bendigo, Premiers Department representative, Bendigo Council Chief Executive and staff and a number of Bendigo Bowls Club members. Courtesy Bendigo Bowls