700+ years of one of the world's oldest and most enduring sports — from medieval Southampton to the World Bowls Series.
The origins of bowls can be traced to at least the 13th century, with similar rolling-ball games found in ancient Egyptian, Roman, and Chinese cultures. The bias principle may have been discovered by accident when using rounded stones or wooden balls on uneven ground.
The Southampton Old Bowling Green — still in active use today — dates to 1299, making it the oldest surviving bowling green in the world. This single fact positions bowls as one of the most enduring sports in recorded human history.
Henry VIII and other English monarchs banned earlier versions of bowls, fearing it would interfere with archery practice among their troops. Despite the bans, the game flourished among the aristocracy — and Henry VIII himself was known to be a keen player.
According to legend, Sir Francis Drake was playing bowls on Plymouth Hoe when the Spanish Armada was spotted approaching England. He reportedly insisted on finishing his game before sailing out to confront the fleet — a story of calm under pressure that gave the Drakes Pride brand its name.
Scottish cotton merchant William Wallace Mitchell published the "Manual of Bowls Playing" — the first standardised rules of the game. These became the foundation of the laws as we know them today. Scotland remains the spiritual home of the modern flat-green game, with the World Bowls Centre located in Edinburgh.
The Imperial Bowling Association (later Bowls England) was established, bringing organised national competition to the sport for the first time. National championships began, allowing club bowlers from across the country to compete against each other.
Bowls was included in the inaugural British Empire Games in Hamilton, Canada. It has remained part of the Games ever since — one of only a handful of sports present from the very beginning. Women's events were added in 1982.
The inaugural World Bowls Championships were held in Sydney, Australia. This marked the beginning of the modern international era of the sport, with nations from across the Commonwealth competing for the first time on a dedicated world stage.
The official World Bowls Series (WBS) launched the first global player rankings system in June 2024 at Club Helensvale on the Gold Coast, Australia. Australia's Aron Sherriff and Kelsey Cottrell were crowned the inaugural world number ones — a landmark moment for the professionalisation of the sport.