Global Bowling Balls Market Analysis & Forecast (2025–2036)
Western Market Research predicts that the Global Bowling Balls Market was valued at USD 945.8 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.48 Billion by the year 2036, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% globally.
1. Market Overview
The 2025 Global Bowling Balls Market report provides a comprehensive examination of the industry, detailing its transition from a traditional league-based sport to a cornerstone of the "Eatertainment" (Entertainment + Food) sector. This study utilizes a blend of primary data from pro-shop owners and manufacturers with secondary data from international bowling federations. It evaluates the impact of advanced material science in coverstock development and the global expansion of boutique bowling lounges.
2. Post-Pandemic Impact & Market Resilience
The 2019 COVID-19 outbreak forced the closure of thousands of bowling centers globally, leading to a sharp decline in 2020 revenue. However, the post-pandemic recovery has been fueled by a "rebound in social interaction," where multi-generational leisure activities have seen record attendance. Modern bowling centers have rebranded as Family Entertainment Centers (FECs), driving a steady demand for "house balls" (polyester) and an uptick in custom performance ball sales for the growing amateur-competitive demographic.
3. Enhanced Market Segmentation
By Material/Type:
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Plastic/Polyester: Primarily used for "house balls" and spare shooting; high volume, low margin.
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Urethane: Favored for high-friction lane conditions; experiencing a resurgence among professional players.
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Reactive Resin: The industry standard for performance; includes Solid, Pearl, and Hybrid variations designed for "hook" potential.
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Proactive (Particle) Resin: High-performance balls for heavy oil conditions.
By Application/End-User:
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Professional & League Players: High-frequency buyers focusing on core dynamics and coverstock longevity.
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Leisure & Social Centers: Bulk buyers of polyester/house balls and junior-weight equipment.
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Junior & Amateur: Entry-level performance balls for students and casual league participants.
By Weight:
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Lightweight (6lb – 10lb): Targeted at children and seniors.
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Standard (12lb – 14lb): Popular among female players and recreational adults.
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Heavyweight (15lb – 16lb): Standard for professional and competitive male players.
4. Top Key Players
The market is characterized by significant consolidation, with two major entities holding a large portion of the technical intellectual property.
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The Big Two:
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Brunswick Bowling: (Includes brands: Ebonite, Hammer, Columbia 300, Track, and DV8).
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Storm Products: (Includes brands: Roto Grip and 900 Global).
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Specialized Manufacturers: QubicaAMF, Motiv Bowling, Murrey International, US Bowling Corporation.
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Accessories & Niche Players: Champion Sports, Dexter Shoe Company (Logistics/Distribution), Strikeforce, Moxy Bowling, Radical Bowling Technologies, Genesis Bowling, Visionary Bowling Products.
5. Regional Analysis
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North America: The dominant market. The U.S. holds the highest per-capita bowling participation rate. Growth is driven by the modernization of traditional alleys into luxury boutique centers.
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Asia-Pacific: The fastest-growing region. South Korea and Japan have massive competitive bowling scenes, while China is seeing a surge in bowling as a premium corporate social activity.
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Europe: A steady market focusing on social leisure. Germany, the UK, and Scandinavia are the primary hubs for professional equipment sales.
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LAMEA: Growth is centered on the Middle East, where high-end shopping malls are integrating bowling centers as primary footfall drivers.
6. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
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Threat of New Entrants (Low): High R&D costs for core design and coverstock chemistry, alongside strict USBC (United States Bowling Congress) certifications, deter new players.
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Bargaining Power of Buyers (Moderate): Individual consumers are brand loyal, but large FEC chains buy in bulk and can demand significant volume discounts.
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Bargaining Power of Suppliers (Moderate): Reliance on specialized resins and chemical polymers makes manufacturers vulnerable to oil price fluctuations.
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Threat of Substitutes (Moderate): Other social activities like "Topgolf," axe throwing, and e-sports compete for leisure spending.
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Competitive Rivalry (Very High): Intense competition between Storm and Brunswick to sign professional athletes and release monthly "new-tech" balls.
7. SWOT Analysis
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Strengths: High customer loyalty; multi-generational appeal; technical complexity prevents low-quality counterfeiting.
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Weaknesses: High product weight increases logistics and e-commerce shipping costs.
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Opportunities: Expansion of professional leagues in Asia; 3D-printing technology for customized core weighting.
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Threats: Rising electricity costs for bowling centers; environmental regulations on resin disposal.
8. Trend Analysis
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Scented Coverstocks: A trend popularized by Storm Products, adding fragrance to balls to improve consumer sensory appeal.
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Digital Integration: Smart-balls with embedded sensors to track rotation and velocity via mobile apps.
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Custom Graphics: High-definition printing on polyester balls featuring movies, sports teams, and personalized art.
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Eco-Friendly Resins: Development of biodegradable materials for house balls to reduce the environmental footprint of centers.
9. Drivers & Challenges
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Drivers: The rise of "boutique bowling" (upscale décor/cocktails); increasing corporate team-building events; growth in youth bowling scholarships.
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Challenges: Declining membership in traditional long-term leagues; high cost of high-performance equipment (USD 200+ per ball).
10. Value Chain Analysis
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R&D: Computer-aided design (CAD) of asymmetrical and symmetrical cores.
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Sourcing: Procurement of high-density polymers, resins, and coloring agents.
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Manufacturing: Casting the core, molding the coverstock, and finishing/polishing.
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Distribution: Global shipping to wholesalers and sporting goods retailers.
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Pro-Shop Interaction: The vital "last mile" where balls are custom-drilled based on the user's hand measurements and bowling style.
11. Quick Recommendations for Stakeholders
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For Manufacturers: Focus on "Entry-Performance" balls. There is a huge gap between USD 50 plastic balls and USD 250 pro balls; a mid-tier (USD 120) reactive ball for casual bowlers is a high-growth niche.
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For Retailers/Pro-Shops: Leverage YouTube and Social Media to demonstrate ball motion; video content is the primary driver of equipment sales for Gen-Z bowlers.
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For Investors: Target companies with strong DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) logistics to bypass high distributor margins.
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For Center Owners: Invest in Junior/Lightweight inventory to capture the family market during daytime off-peak hours.
1. Market Overview of Bowling Balls
1.1 Bowling Balls Market Overview
1.1.1 Bowling Balls Product Scope
1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook
1.2 Bowling Balls Market Size by Regions:
1.3 Bowling Balls Historic Market Size by Regions
1.4 Bowling Balls Forecasted Market Size by Regions
1.5 Covid-19 Impact on Key Regions, Keyword Market Size YoY Growth
1.5.1 North America
1.5.2 East Asia
1.5.3 Europe
1.5.4 South Asia
1.5.5 Southeast Asia
1.5.6 Middle East
1.5.7 Africa
1.5.8 Oceania
1.5.9 South America
1.5.10 Rest of the World
1.6 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Impact Will Have a Severe Impact on Global Growth
1.6.1 Covid-19 Impact: Global GDP Growth, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Projections
1.6.2 Covid-19 Impact: Commodity Prices Indices
1.6.3 Covid-19 Impact: Global Major Government Policy
2. Covid-19 Impact Bowling Balls Sales Market by Type
2.1 Global Bowling Balls Historic Market Size by Type
2.2 Global Bowling Balls Forecasted Market Size by Type
2.3 Urethane Bowling Balls
2.4 High-performance Bowling Balls
2.5 Other
3. Covid-19 Impact Bowling Balls Sales Market by Application
3.1 Global Bowling Balls Historic Market Size by Application
3.2 Global Bowling Balls Forecasted Market Size by Application
3.3 Public Clubs
3.4 Private Sports Clubs
3.5 Leisure Places
4. Covid-19 Impact Market Competition by Manufacturers
4.1 Global Bowling Balls Production Capacity Market Share by Manufacturers
4.2 Global Bowling Balls Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers
4.3 Global Bowling Balls Average Price by Manufacturers
5. Company Profiles and Key Figures in Bowling Balls Business
5.1 Brunswick Bowling
5.1.1 Brunswick Bowling Company Profile
5.1.2 Brunswick Bowling Bowling Balls Product Specification
5.1.3 Brunswick Bowling Bowling Balls Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.2 Murrey International
5.2.1 Murrey International Company Profile
5.2.2 Murrey International Bowling Balls Product Specification
5.2.3 Murrey International Bowling Balls Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.3 Storm Products
5.3.1 Storm Products Company Profile
5.3.2 Storm Products Bowling Balls Product Specification
5.3.3 Storm Products Bowling Balls Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.4 QubicaAMF
5.4.1 QubicaAMF Company Profile
5.4.2 QubicaAMF Bowling Balls Product Specification
5.4.3 QubicaAMF Bowling Balls Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.5 US Bowling
5.5.1 US Bowling Company Profile
5.5.2 US Bowling Bowling Balls Product Specification
5.5.3 US Bowling Bowling Balls Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.6 Champion Sports
5.6.1 Champion Sports Company Profile
5.6.2 Champion Sports Bowling Balls Product Specification
5.6.3 Champion Sports Bowling Balls Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.7 Ebonite
5.7.1 Ebonite Company Profile
5.7.2 Ebonite Bowling Balls Product Specification
5.7.3 Ebonite Bowling Balls Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.8 Dexter Shoe Company
5.8.1 Dexter Shoe Company Company Profile
5.8.2 Dexter Shoe Company Bowling Balls Product Specification
5.8.3 Dexter Shoe Company Bowling Balls Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.9 Strikeforce
5.9.1 Strikeforce Company Profile
5.9.2 Strikeforce Bowling Balls Product Specification
5.9.3 Strikeforce Bowling Balls Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.10 Moxy Bowling
5.10.1 Moxy Bowling Company Profile
5.10.2 Moxy Bowling Bowling Balls Product Specification
5.10.3 Moxy Bowling Bowling Balls Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.11 Radical Bowling Technologies
5.11.1 Radical Bowling Technologies Company Profile
5.11.2 Radical Bowling Technologies Bowling Balls Product Specification
5.11.3 Radical Bowling Technologies Bowling Balls Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
6. North America
6.1 North America Bowling Balls Market Size
6.2 North America Bowling Balls Key Players in North America
6.3 North America Bowling Balls Market Size by Type
6.4 North America Bowling Balls Market Size by Application
7. East Asia
7.1 East Asia Bowling Balls Market Size
7.2 East Asia Bowling Balls Key Players in North America
7.3 East Asia Bowling Balls Market Size by Type
7.4 East Asia Bowling Balls Market Size by Application
8. Europe
8.1 Europe Bowling Balls Market Size
8.2 Europe Bowling Balls Key Players in North America
8.3 Europe Bowling Balls Market Size by Type
8.4 Europe Bowling Balls Market Size by Application
9. South Asia
9.1 South Asia Bowling Balls Market Size
9.2 South Asia Bowling Balls Key Players in North America
9.3 South Asia Bowling Balls Market Size by Type
9.4 South Asia Bowling Balls Market Size by Application
10. Southeast Asia
10.1 Southeast Asia Bowling Balls Market Size
10.2 Southeast Asia Bowling Balls Key Players in North America
10.3 Southeast Asia Bowling Balls Market Size by Type
10.4 Southeast Asia Bowling Balls Market Size by Application
11. Middle East
11.1 Middle East Bowling Balls Market Size
11.2 Middle East Bowling Balls Key Players in North America
11.3 Middle East Bowling Balls Market Size by Type
11.4 Middle East Bowling Balls Market Size by Application
12. Africa
12.1 Africa Bowling Balls Market Size
12.2 Africa Bowling Balls Key Players in North America
12.3 Africa Bowling Balls Market Size by Type
12.4 Africa Bowling Balls Market Size by Application
13. Oceania
13.1 Oceania Bowling Balls Market Size
13.2 Oceania Bowling Balls Key Players in North America
13.3 Oceania Bowling Balls Market Size by Type
13.4 Oceania Bowling Balls Market Size by Application
14. South America
14.1 South America Bowling Balls Market Size
14.2 South America Bowling Balls Key Players in North America
14.3 South America Bowling Balls Market Size by Type
14.4 South America Bowling Balls Market Size by Application
15. Rest of the World
15.1 Rest of the World Bowling Balls Market Size
15.2 Rest of the World Bowling Balls Key Players in North America
15.3 Rest of the World Bowling Balls Market Size by Type
15.4 Rest of the World Bowling Balls Market Size by Application
16 Bowling Balls Market Dynamics
16.1 Covid-19 Impact Market Top Trends
16.2 Covid-19 Impact Market Drivers
16.3 Covid-19 Impact Market Challenges
16.4 Porter
3. Enhanced Market Segmentation
By Material/Type:
-
Plastic/Polyester: Primarily used for "house balls" and spare shooting; high volume, low margin.
-
Urethane: Favored for high-friction lane conditions; experiencing a resurgence among professional players.
-
Reactive Resin: The industry standard for performance; includes Solid, Pearl, and Hybrid variations designed for "hook" potential.
-
Proactive (Particle) Resin: High-performance balls for heavy oil conditions.
By Application/End-User:
-
Professional & League Players: High-frequency buyers focusing on core dynamics and coverstock longevity.
-
Leisure & Social Centers: Bulk buyers of polyester/house balls and junior-weight equipment.
-
Junior & Amateur: Entry-level performance balls for students and casual league participants.
By Weight:
-
Lightweight (6lb – 10lb): Targeted at children and seniors.
-
Standard (12lb – 14lb): Popular among female players and recreational adults.
-
Heavyweight (15lb – 16lb): Standard for professional and competitive male players.
4. Top Key Players
The market is characterized by significant consolidation, with two major entities holding a large portion of the technical intellectual property.
-
The Big Two:
-
Brunswick Bowling: (Includes brands: Ebonite, Hammer, Columbia 300, Track, and DV8).
-
Storm Products: (Includes brands: Roto Grip and 900 Global).
-
-
Specialized Manufacturers: QubicaAMF, Motiv Bowling, Murrey International, US Bowling Corporation.
-
Accessories & Niche Players: Champion Sports, Dexter Shoe Company (Logistics/Distribution), Strikeforce, Moxy Bowling, Radical Bowling Technologies, Genesis Bowling, Visionary Bowling Products.
