2024 Australian Open: All the info you need to know
The 2024 Australian Open is set to be the biggest instalment in the event’s history, with nearly 4000 entries set to see bowlers compete on the sunny Gold Coast during the two-week competition.
Here are some key details to keep in mind ahead of the upcoming festival of bowls.
When & where is the Australian Open?
The 2024 AO will start on Saturday, June 8, concluding with finals on Thursday, June 20 & Friday, June 21.
Once again, an array of clubs along the Gold Coast will play host to the event. A record 14 clubs are being used in 2024 to handle the growing demand.
What time are games played?
There are three sessions on the majority of days, with a fourth session required on a handful of days towards the end of the event. The session times are:
- Session 1: 9am AEST (8:45am trial ends)
- Session 2: 11:45am AEST
- Session 3: 2:30pm AEST
Please note, when viewing times on BowlsLink, you will see session times as relevant to your location at the time of viewing. I.e If you are in Perth, you will see session 1 listed as 7am on BowlsLink, with WA two hours behind Queensland. Please refer to the times above, or this link, for accurate session times.
What do I do if I have had a pull out in my team and am looking for a replacement?
Please see the BA staff in the office located at Broadbeach Bowls Club or contact ahowie@bowls.com.au or pholtschke@bowls.com.au
How can I watch at home?
Once again, you will be able to view an abundance of live action from the Australian Open courtesy of Bowls Australia’s Rinkside Live. Matches will be live-streamed on the official Bowls Australia YouTube channel & Facebook page.
The men’s & women’s singles and men’s & women’s pairs finals can be watched live via SBS Viceland, Fox Sports, Kayo & Sky Sport NZ on the final two days of the event. All other finals can be live streamed on Bowls Australia’s social channels.
Note: Please be aware there has been a rise in the amount of scam links and pages. Many of these scammers imitate Bowls Australia. Please be careful when tuning in. Bowls Australia will not ask for bank details to watch any of our streams, nor will we provide separate links to take you away from Facebook or YouTube. If you are ever in doubt, please email media@bowls.com.au to check what you are watching is legitimate.
How much are tickets?
Great news – entry into finals (and all Australian Open matches) is completely free of charge! However, we have found that seats fill up fast, so it’s first-in, best-dressed.
How can I follow all the results from the event?
You can track the results of all competitions via BowlsLink, with daily summary articles shared across the Australian Open website, Bowls Australia social channels and a dedicated daily e-mail.
How many next-best qualifiers are there?
Next-best qualifiers vary across all formats, depending on entry/section numbers.
Below are the number of this year’s next-best qualifiers for each discipline.
Men’s Singles: 0*
Women’s Singles: 10
Men’s Pairs: 0
Women’s Pairs: 14
Men’s Fours: 32
Women’s Fours: 25
Men’s O60 Pairs: 22
Women’s O60 Pairs: 22
Boys’ Singles: 5
Girls’ Singles: 2
MD Men’s Singles: 0
MD Women’s Singles: 2
MD Open Pairs: 0
VI Open Singles: 0
VI Open Pairs: 0
Note: Due to the high entries in the men’s singles, there are no next-best qualifiers. Section winners will progress to the knockout stage, with a random allocation of section winners competing in the round of 512, with each of the winners of this round joining the remaining sections winners in the round of 256.
Several other events will not feature NBQs due to section totals being equal with knockout round winners.
What about prize money if I play well?
The prize pool is the biggest it has ever been in 2024, with more than $280,000 total prize money up for grabs. To help streamline the prize money claim process, a new online claiming system has been introduced this year. Click here to find out more.
I’m looking to make the most of my trip, what can I get up to when I’m not on the green?
The Gold Coast is a hive of activity year-round, with plenty to do while you’re up there.
- Check out the sights and activities around the Gold Coast, with plenty of food for thought here
- Bowls Australia will again be coordinating a trade display at Broadbeach Bowls Club throughout the event, including shops for a number of the biggest bowls manufacturers as well as some of Bowls Australia’s valued partners. Pop in on any day throughout the Australian Open between 8.30am and 5pm!
- Once again, two Mega Bowl events will take place at Broadbeach Bowls Club. For just $10, see how far you can go with just one bowl. Outlast everyone else and take home all the winnings!
If you have a question that might not have been answered above, check out the Frequently Asked Questions section here.
