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County Antrim Indoor Bowling Club crestJim Baker Stadium
Club News

Welcome to the 2025/26 Season at Jim Baker Stadium

Get ready for our biggest and most exciting season yet at Ireland’s premier indoor bowling venue!

Club office31 July 2025 · 5 min read

The 2025/26 season promises to be absolutely spectacular, with world-class competitions, new league formats, fantastic membership deals, and more opportunities than ever to enjoy the sport we all love on the best greens in the country.

A Season Like No Other

This year, Jim Baker Stadium will host some of the most prestigious events in bowling:

  • PBA World Qualifiers (Ladies & Over 55’s)
  • World Junior Championships
  • Joint AIIB & IWIBA Irish Finals
  • AIIB Inter-Stadium (featuring 2 CAIBC teams)
  • Marcus Craig Memorial Trophy

Unbeatable Membership Deals

Our membership fees remain the most competitive in Ireland:

  • Full Member: £60
  • 25 & Under: £25
  • 19 & Under: £15
  • 16 & Under: £10

Special New Member Offer

Brand new members who haven’t been members in the last 5 years get 50% OFF - that’s just £30 for a full year’s membership!

Online: MEMBERSHIP
Offline: RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP | NEW MEMBER REGISTRATION

League Competitions 2025/26

We’re introducing exciting new formats and leagues this season. Entries close 3rd September.

Morning Leagues

  • Monday Morning Mixed Pairs - Traditional 4-bowl format (unchanged)
  • Tuesday Morning Australian Pairs (NEW!) - Experience the tactical 2x2x2x2 format where leads take turns bowling one bowl at a time until they’ve each bowled twice, then skips take turns bowling one bowl at a time until they’ve each bowled twice, then this whole pattern repeats. It’s essentially like playing fours where the lead also plays third position and the skip also plays second position, but with constant alternating between opponents rather than team members bowling consecutively. This creates an exciting tactical challenge where both players experience both early building shots and late finishing shots, making it more balanced and engaging than traditional pairs.
  • Thursday Morning Triples - Classic 3-bowl format (unchanged)

Evening Leagues

  • Monday Evening Fours (NEW FORMAT!) - Monday Evening Fours introduces an exciting new sets-based format where matches consist of two 6-end sets (12 ends total) with teams earning 2 points for winning a set and 1 point for drawing a set, plus an additional 1 point awarded to the team with the higher combined score across both sets (0.5 points each if tied). Each team also has one power play available per set which must be declared before an end begins and doubles only that team’s scoring for that specific end (both teams can use their power play on the same end), creating tactical decisions about when to use this advantage to maximize set wins and overall match points. Teams can also change their playing positions between sets, adding another strategic element to the format. This format ensures every match remains competitive and engaging throughout, eliminating the possibility of long 2-hour games that can become non-events when one team builds an insurmountable lead early.
  • Tuesday Evening Pairs - Traditional 4-bowl format (unchanged)
  • Thursday Evening Triples (NEW!) - Thursday Evening Triples uses the same exciting sets-based scoring format as Monday Evening Fours, with the following key differences: matches consist of two 8-end sets (16 ends total instead of 12), teams have 3 players (Lead, Second, Skip) with each player bowling 2 bowls per end, and the entry fee is £18 per triple (£6 per player). All other rules remain identical - same power play system, same scoring (2 points per set win, 1 for draw, plus 1 bonus point for overall winner), and teams can still change playing positions between sets.

Download: LEAGUE CHANGES

Veterans League

  • County Antrim Veterans - Wednesdays (with Friday overflow matches)
  • Teams of 2 Triples
  • Entry: £5 per registered player
  • Entries close 1st September

Online: LEAGUE ENTRY
Offline: MORNING LEAGUES ENTRY | EVENING LEAGUES ENTRY | VETERANS LEAGUE ENTRY

Championship Competitions

Our club championships continue to provide competitive opportunities for all levels. Entries close 22nd September.

Online: CHAMPIONSHIPS ENTRY
Offline: MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRY | LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRY

PBA World Qualifiers

Don’t miss your chance to compete on the world stage! We’re hosting qualifying events for:

  • Ladies PBA World Qualifiers
  • Over 55’s PBA World Qualifiers

MORE INFO & LINKS TO ENTER PBA QUALIFIERS

Key Dates - Don’t Miss Out!

Event Date
Open Days Week beginning 1st September 2025
League Entry Deadline 1st September 2025
Season Starts 15th September 2025
Membership Fees Due 30th September 2025

Why Jim Baker Stadium?

  • Ireland’s best greens - Twelve first-class rinks that are both slick and true
  • Unbeatable value - Cheapest membership fees around
  • World-class facilities - Fully licensed bars, catering, and social areas
  • Premier competitions - Hosting the biggest events in bowling
  • All abilities welcome - From beginners to internationals

Club Kit Orders

Need club kit for the new season? If the items you need aren’t available in our online stock, you must place your order ASAP to ensure delivery before the season starts. Don’t get caught without your club colours - order now to avoid disappointment!

ORDER NOW

Stay Connected

Join our new WhatsApp community for:

  • General chat with fellow bowlers
  • Finding players and substitutes
  • League updates and results
  • Event information and reminders
  • Last-minute match arrangements

JOIN NOW

Get Started Today

Whether you’re returning for another season or considering joining our bowling family for the first time, there’s never been a better time to be part of Jim Baker Stadium.

Open Days begin the week of September 1st - come along and experience our world-class facilities firsthand. Try our greens, meet our members, and see why we’re Ireland’s premier indoor bowling venue.

With our new member special offer of just £30, fantastic new league formats, and the most exciting competition calendar we’ve ever had, the 2025/26 season promises to be unforgettable.

Don’t wait - entries close September 3rd (Veterans League 1st September)!


For all enquiries, contact us via our website, email, or social media channels. Full details available on all our communication platforms.

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