The Irish Open
2026
Tenpin Ireland's flagship international open returns to DIIB, Belfast from 18–25 October 2026 — a 6-game re-entry qualifier into a six-step finals for 40.
- Dates
- 18–25 October 2026
- Venue
- DIIB, Belfast
- Format
- 6-game re-entry
- Squad cap
- Maximum 40 bowlers per squad
- Prize positions
- 40 finalists, all cashing
- Sanctioning
- Standalone international open — not EBF-sanctioned
Proposed — details still to be confirmed
The tournament format is confirmed. The prize ladder and entry fees below are a proposal, subject to confirmation — not yet final. The oil pattern, general eligibility, entry dates and exact squad and finals times have not been set. This page will be updated as each detail is finalised — check back, or get in touch with any question.
Schedule
Qualifying runs Sunday 18 to Saturday 24 October, with Finals Day on Sunday 25 October. Exact squad times haven't been set yet — here's how many squads run each day. Times will be added once confirmed.
QualifyingThe Irish Open 2026 concludes with Finals Day on Sunday 25 October — the six-step run from the 40 finalists down to the champion, set out in full below. Start times will be confirmed closer to the event.
Tournament Format
The Irish Open is a 6-game re-entry qualifier feeding a six-step finals, scaled to 40 finalists — from the qualifying squads down to a one-game title match.
Qualification6 games, entries and re-entries
Each entry is six games, bowled across the squads from Sunday 18 to Saturday 24 October. Re-entries are permitted. The best 40 bowlers across all squads qualify for the final steps: the leading bowlers in the overall standing, together with reserved places from separate category standings. The exact category allocations for the Irish Open are being finalised. The top 8 qualifiers earn a bye straight to Step 2; the other 32 begin at Step 1.
- 1
Step 1
32 bowlersThe 32 finalists outside the top 8 bowl 5 games from scratch. The top 16 advance to Step 2; the rest finish 25th–40th.
- 2
Step 2
24 bowlersThe top 8 from qualifying — who receive a bye — join the 16 who came through Step 1. 6 games from scratch. The top 16 advance; the rest finish 17th–24th.
- 3
Step 3
16 bowlersThree-game matches, seeded 1 v 16 down to 8 v 9. The 8 winners advance; losers finish 9th.
- 4
Step 4
8 bowlersThree-game matches. The 4 winners advance; losers finish 5th.
- 5
Semi-finals
4 bowlersOne-game matches. The 2 winners advance to the final; losers finish 3rd.
- 6
Final
2 bowlersOne game. The winner is the Irish Open champion; the runner-up finishes 2nd.
Start times for each step will be confirmed closer to the event.
Tenpin Ireland Member Prizes
Alongside the main prize fund, Tenpin Ireland members compete for prizes in four categories. The top three in each category win a Bowlersmart / Coolwick voucher.
Bowlersmart / Coolwick voucher. These three prizes are awarded in each of the four categories below.
CategoriesJunior
Under 18Adult
Open ageSenior
50 and overWomen
All agesMember prizes are open to current Tenpin Ireland members.
Side Event
300-Game Pot
Roll-off in the event of a tie.
Prize Fund
pending Proposed — subject to confirmationA proposed prize fund of €62,100, with all 40 finalists cashing. These figures are a proposal and have not yet been confirmed. The fund is built on an entry model of 150 first entries and 200 re-entries (350 in total).
| 1st | €12,000 |
| 2nd | €7,500 |
| 3rd | €5,000 |
| 4th | €3,200 |
| 5th | €2,500 |
| 6th | €2,000 |
| 7th | €1,900 |
| 8th | €1,800 |
| 9th–16th | €1,200 each |
| 17th–20th | €900 each |
| 21st–24th | €800 each |
| 25th–28th | €700 each |
| 29th–32nd | €650 each |
| 33rd–36th | €600 each |
| 37th–40th | €500 each |
| Total | €62,100 |
Proposed prize ladder — subject to confirmation. Separate Tenpin Ireland member prizes are set out above.
Entry Fees
pending Proposed — subject to confirmationProposed entry fees, not yet confirmed. Re-entries are permitted under the 6-game re-entry format.
What's still to be confirmed
These details aren't guesses — they simply haven't been decided or published yet.
Partners
The Irish Open is supported by Tenpin Ireland's partners. See all our partners.
Registration opens soon
There's no entry portal live yet for the Irish Open 2026 — details to follow. If you have a question in the meantime, get in touch with Tenpin Ireland.
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