briefsports.net
International Federation · Bowling

IBF — International Bowling Federation

Bowling's world governing body — the World Championships, World Games competition, and the sport's long-running Olympic campaign.
✓ Last reviewed: August 2026
RoleWorld governing body of bowling (ten-pin & nine-pin)
Formed2020 — merger of WTBA and FIQ lineage
RunsIBF World Championships · World Games bowling · world rankings
Olympic bidA long campaign — bowling has never made the Olympic program

What is the IBF?

The International Bowling Federation is bowling's world governing body, formed in 2020 from the merger of the World Bowling/WTBA structure and the historic FIQ — running the World Championships, world rankings and bowling's presence at the World Games.[1] [2]

The Olympic question

Bowling has campaigned for Olympic inclusion for decades — it has appeared as a demonstration sport and is a World Games mainstay, but has never made the program, losing out in each recent host-city selection round. The IBF continues to pursue it.[2] [3]

References

  1. International Bowling Federation — about. Accessed August 2026.
  2. International Bowling Federation — official site. Accessed August 2026.
  3. IWGA — bowling at the World Games. Accessed August 2026.