How are matches arranged in Bowls England national competitions?

Q: How are matches arranged in Bowls England national competitions?

For the 2026 Bowls England national competitions: Who arranges it: the challenger (marked "(Challenger)" on the draw) arranges the match and pays any rink and umpire fees, except at a neutral venue, where costs are shared. In singles, the challenger also arranges a marker. An umpire before the National Finals is optional. Where: on the challenger's affiliated green, unless both sides agree another affiliated club. A neutral green, roughly midway between the two clubs, is required for Area Finals and the All-England Rounds of 32 and 16. Offering dates: Offer three dates, including at least one weekend date. Start times: 6pm to 6:30pm on weekdays, 9:30am to 6:30pm at weekends. Senior Singles, Senior Pairs and the Over 60 Mixed Two Fours (Tony Allcock Trophy) may also offer weekday starts from 9:30am. No date may fall within 48 hours of the challenge, and two start times on the same day count as one date. Opening match: offer dates at least 14 days before the round closes. If the challenger misses this, the opponent becomes the challenger. Later rounds: offer dates within 24 hours of the previous round closing; the opponent must accept within 72 hours of that round closing. Counties may set fixed play-on dates for some rounds instead of play-by dates.

Question

Accepted Answer

For the 2026 Bowls England national competitions:

Who arranges it: the challenger (marked "(Challenger)" on the draw) arranges the match and pays any rink and umpire fees, except at a neutral venue, where costs are shared. In singles, the challenger also arranges a marker. An umpire before the National Finals is optional.

Where: on the challenger's affiliated green, unless both sides agree another affiliated club. A neutral green, roughly midway between the two clubs, is required for Area Finals and the All-England Rounds of 32 and 16.

Offering dates:

Offer three dates, including at least one weekend date.
Start times: 6pm to 6:30pm on weekdays, 9:30am to 6:30pm at weekends. Senior Singles, Senior Pairs and the Over 60 Mixed Two Fours (Tony Allcock Trophy) may also offer weekday starts from 9:30am.
No date may fall within 48 hours of the challenge, and two start times on the same day count as one date.
Opening match: offer dates at least 14 days before the round closes. If the challenger misses this, the opponent becomes the challenger.
Later rounds: offer dates within 24 hours of the previous round closing; the opponent must accept within 72 hours of that round closing.

Counties may set fixed play-on dates for some rounds instead of play-by dates.