Bowls tournament to kick off 2026 Commonwealth Games

Extra day added to event due to 'unprecedented demand'

An extra day has been added to the bowls tournament at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, meaning the sport will now kick off this year's event.

Games organisers say due to 'unprecedented demand' to take part, the opening day of the bowls will now be held on Thursday, 23 July ahead of the games' opening ceremony on the same day.

The additional session - known as 'Day 0' - will take place between 9.30am and 4.25pm that day with timings aimed at allowing athletes to complete the day's action before being able to attend the opening ceremony.

This change will affect the Isle of Man which is fielding a four-strong bowls team of Mark McGreal, Michael Collister, Paula Garrett and Caroline Whitehead.

More generally, the sport is the only one that spans the whole duration of the games from 23 July to 2 August.

The Isle of Man as a whole will be taking a squad of 27 to the event later this month - you can view the full Manx Commonwealth Games squad below:

2026 Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Squad (23 July-2 August, Glasgow, Scotland)

Athletics

Christa Cain
Regan Corrin
Jack Kinrade
Ollie Lockley 
David Mullarkey

Bowls

Michael Collister
Paula Garrett
Mark McGreal
Caroline Whitehead

Cycling (Track)

Matthew Bostock
Ben Swift

Gymnastics

Harry Eyres

Para Powerlifting

Alfie Bezance

Swimming

Peter Allen
Zac Bellhouse
Libby Curphey
Lauren Dennett
Charlie Foster
Ella Justice
Magnus Kelly
Laura Kinley
Oscar Maddrell
Connor Mealin
Kiera Prentice
Harry Robinson
Alex Turnbull
Joel Watterson