Big news for bowls in Tāmaki Makaurau! In 2025, World Bowls launched the World Bowls Series, a global series of events run over a yearly calendar, all linked to official World Bowls rankings. Think ATP / WTA Tour in tennis or PGA / LPGA in golf, now bowls has its own version.
Auckland has officially secured a stop on the Series. Starting this summer, the JBWere Auckland Open will take centre stage as the very first event of the 2026 calendar.
The event, formally referred to as the Jarden Open, has been re-branded and enhanced to meet the criteria set by World Bowls and will be known as the JBWere Auckland Open.
Players can look forward to a doubling of the total prize pool from $5,000 to $10,000, earning World Bowls ranking points, broadcast and a few more surprises.
Dean Bartlett Bowls Auckland CEO commented,
“We are excited that World Bowls has created the Series which will continue to elevate bowls, both internally, and hopefully reach new audiences. It is awesome to play our part, and we want to attract the same great players we always have, plus a few more from further afield.”
The JBWere Auckland Open will continue to celebrate its local roots, while welcoming players from across New Zealand and overseas.
Brett O’Riley, World Bowls President, said:
“It is great to see the JBWere Auckland Open added to the World Bowls Series which creates a New Zealand “swing” of three back to-back ranking events with the Summerset National Singles and Pairs following straight afterwards. I am sure this will attract players from around the world, and it is great to see Bowls Auckland continue with their innovative forward-thinking approach, having helped launch the Oceania Challenge with Bowls New Zealand and World Bowls in 2023.”
This opportunity has only been made possible through the ongoing partnership of JBWere NZ, along with the support of World Bowls and Bowls New Zealand.
JBWere Auckland Open – Key Details
- Based across Auckland with HQ at Howick
- Mixed 2-4-2 Pairs
- 28, 29 and 30 December
- Total Prize Money = $10,000
- Open to all World Bowls-affiliated club members
- Entries are open via
- Entries close on 7 December 2025.
For more on the Word Bowls Series, or JBWere NZ’s services.