Key points
- IBF: founded in Hamburg in 1952 as the FIQ, renamed World Bowling in 2014 and then International Bowling Federation in November 2020. Headquartered in Lausanne.
- Olympics: recognised by the IOC since 1979, bowling was a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics but has never been an official Olympic sport.
- Five zones: Europe (EBF), Asia (ABF), the Americas, Oceania and Africa.
- Professionals: the PBA, in the United States, runs the world's leading professional tour.
The International Bowling Federation (IBF)
The IBF is bowling's international federation, responsible for the rules, certification and world competitions. Its history mirrors that of the sport:
- 1952 · Hamburg Founding of the Fédération Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ), which originally brought together the different forms of pin bowling.
- 1979 Recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
- 1988 · Seoul Bowling is featured as a demonstration sport at the Olympic Games.
- 2014 The FIQ becomes World Bowling.
- November 2020 · Lausanne An extraordinary congress adopts the name International Bowling Federation and new statutes.
The IBF, headquartered in Lausanne (Switzerland), brings together more than a hundred national federations (published figures vary depending on the source and the year). Since 2015 it has been chaired by Sheikh Talal Mohammad Al-Sabah (Kuwait).
The five continental zones
| Zone | Federation | Key facts |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | European Bowling Federation (EBF) | Organises the European Bowling Tour and the European championships. Chaired by Iceland's Valgeir Gudbjartsson, re-elected in October 2025. |
| Asia | Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) | Includes the Gulf states, which are very active in hosting tournaments. |
| Americas | Pan American zone | Dominated by the United States, the birthplace of modern bowling. |
| Oceania | Oceania Bowling Federation | Led by Australia and New Zealand. |
| Africa | African Bowling Federation | Founded in Cairo in 2018. See bowling in Africa. |
The major international competitions
- IBF World Championships: the benchmark competition for national teams. The 2025 edition was held in Hong Kong.
- IBF World Cup: an individual tournament that brings together national champions from all over the world.
- World Games: bowling featured at every edition from 1981 onwards, but it was dropped from the programme of the 2025 edition in Chengdu.
- 2027 African Games: bowling's first announced appearance, in Egypt.
- European Bowling Tour: a circuit of open tournaments in Europe, including the famous Brunswick Euro Challenge.
For details of these competitions and the professional tours, read our guide to the major bowling competitions.
Professional bowling: the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), founded in the United States in 1958, runs the world's leading professional tour. Its televised tournaments made bowling's great stars famous, from Earl Anthony to Jason Belmonte. Meet them in our article on the greatest bowlers in history.
Will bowling ever be an Olympic sport?
Despite IOC recognition since 1979 and several bids, bowling has never been included in the official programme of the Olympic Games; its only appearance remains the demonstration event in Seoul in 1988. The change of name to IBF in 2020 was part of a strategy to move closer to the Olympic movement. Bowling's arrival at the 2027 African Games shows that the discipline keeps gaining ground at major multi-sport events.
What about Morocco on the international stage?
As it has no national federation, Morocco is not yet affiliated to the IBF. Moroccan bowlers nevertheless compete against foreign players at open tournaments held in Morocco, such as the Intercity Strike Cup and the Tangier International Open, both run by the ASBM (Association Sportive du Bowling Marocain, the Moroccan Bowling Sports Association).
Frequently asked questions
What is the international bowling federation?
It is the International Bowling Federation (IBF), based in Lausanne. Founded in 1952 as the FIQ, it was called World Bowling from 2014 to 2020.
Is bowling an Olympic sport?
No. Bowling has been recognised by the IOC since 1979 and was a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, but it has never been on the official Olympic programme.
What is the PBA?
The Professional Bowlers Association is the American association of professional bowlers, founded in 1958. It runs the world's leading professional bowling tour.