Key points
- Organiser: the ASBM (Association Sportive du Bowling Marocain), with the Megamall in Rabat as partner.
- 1st edition: 18 January 2025, more than 60 bowlers from 8 Moroccan cities and from abroad.
- 2nd edition: 7 and 8 February 2026, individual scratch, up to 108 bowlers, 36 qualifiers, then the final stages.
- Aim: to bring clubs from all over the country together in a structured competition that meets international standards.
What is the Intercity Strike Cup?
The Intercity Strike Cup (ICSC) is a bowling competition that pits the best bowlers from Morocco's different cities against each other. The ASBM came up with it to give Moroccan bowling what it was missing: a major national event, open to every club and association, with clear rules and a serious competition format.
The name says it all: “Intercity”, because the tournament pits bowlers from Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Agadir, Oujda, Meknes and Fez against each other; “Strike Cup”, because they play for the title of the country's best bowler. To make it happen, the ASBM brought together the bowlers and organisations of every city around a single event, a unifying effort unmatched in Morocco.
1st edition: 18 January 2025 in Rabat
The first Intercity Strike Cup was held on Saturday 18 January 2025 at the Megamall bowling centre in Rabat, the event's official partner. It brought together more than 60 bowlers from Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Rabat, Agadir, Meknes, Fez and Oujda, joined by players from abroad, notably from Turkey and France.
It followed the Tangier International Open in November 2024, also co-organised by the ASBM in Tangier, which had shown how keen Moroccan bowlers were to test themselves against each other and against European players.
2nd edition: 7 and 8 February 2026
The second edition, named the Inter-City Strike Cup 2026, took place over two days, on 7 and 8 February 2026, at the Mega Mall in Rabat. Billed as an event of international standing, it was open to Moroccan and foreign competitors, up to a limit of 108 bowlers.
The competition format
The tournament is played as individual scratch, meaning without handicap: only the number of pins knocked down counts.
| Stage | Bowlers | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 · Qualifying | up to 108 | 3 squads (starting at 9:30 am, 11 am and 12:30 pm), 3 games per bowler. The 36 highest totals qualify. |
| Day 2 · 2nd round | 36 | A new series of games to rank the qualifiers. |
| Quarter-finals | 12 | The 12 best bowlers from the 2nd round. |
| Semi-finals | 4 | The last 4 still in contention. |
| Final and third-place match | 2 + 2 | The title is decided in the final; the other two semi-finalists play off for 3rd place. |
This step-by-step format, similar to that of the major European tournaments, rewards consistency in qualifying and then the ability to perform under pressure in the final stages.
Why this tournament matters for Moroccan bowling
- It brings the country together: for the first time, bowlers from every city meet in the same competition, under the same rules.
- It raises the standard: the presence of experienced foreign bowlers pushes Moroccan players to improve.
- It gives the sport structure: qualifying, rankings, final stages, published results… all benchmarks that pave the way for a future national organisation of bowling.
- It gives visibility to competitive bowling, which in Morocco is still often seen as just a leisure activity.
How can you take part in the next edition?
Registration is announced by the ASBM on its official website and on Instagram (@asbmbowling) a few weeks before the tournament. Places are limited (108 bowlers in 2026): it's best to sign up as soon as registration opens.
Getting ready: the best preparation is still to bowl regularly in a league. The ASBM runs leagues every week in Rabat and Tangier, open to all levels.
Frequently asked questions
Who organises the Intercity Strike Cup?
The Intercity Strike Cup is organised by the ASBM (Association Sportive du Bowling Marocain, the Moroccan Bowling Sports Association), with the Megamall in Rabat as partner.
Where is the Intercity Strike Cup held?
The first two editions (January 2025 and February 2026) were held at the Megamall bowling centre in Rabat.
What is the format of the Intercity Strike Cup 2026?
Individual scratch over two days: 3-game qualifying (up to 108 bowlers), 36 qualifiers, then a 2nd round, quarter-finals with 12 bowlers, semi-finals with 4 and a final.
Can foreign bowlers take part?
Yes. Both editions welcomed players from abroad, notably from Turkey and France, alongside Moroccan bowlers.