By BILL SNIER
Proposed changes for the Professional Bowlers Association going forward were being circulated through the rumor mill by word of mouth and social media.
PBA attempted to put an end to the rumors with a news release Tuesday, highlighting the dawn of the PBA ELITE Regonal Tour, which It termed “a bold new era for regional competition launching in September 2026.”
Earlier this week, the PBA deleted all regional events after Aug. 31 from its website. That included a PBA50 Central Region stop in Coshocton.
According to PBA communications, the new tour will have 21 “premier events” over its seven regions — three per region — and “will feature the largest tournament prize fund in PBA history.”
Rumors and proposed changes being floated on Facebook the past week, including one posted by one center general manager in Illinois, said that hosting fees for regionals will rise from $3,500 to $10,000; that nonmembers will no longer be eligible to participate; and that entries will rise from $250 to $500.
Opinions varied from fans, bowlers and center owners on the proposed changes throughout social media, some waiting until more information is forthcoming.
Here is the letter posted by PBA chief operating officer Pete Murray earlier Tuesday highlighting the changes to be made:
Dear PBA Members and Partners,
Today, the Professional Bowlers Association is excited to share the next chapter of the PBA Regional Tour. The PBA has taken a comprehensive look at player development, and the role the PBA Regional Tour plays in shaping the next generation of professional bowlers and growth of the sport.
As part of our mission, it is paramount the PBA National Tour remains the number one pro bowling organization in the world with the very best players, unparalleled competition, and expanded opportunities for membership on the largest stage. To achieve this the PBA Regional Tour will be reconfigured to create a more rewarding journey and clearer pathway for top players to make it to the PBA National Tour.
With these goals in mind, we are excited to announce the launch of the PBA ELITE Regional Tour. This new invitational program starting in September of 2026, will provide regional players: elevated tournaments, increased prize funds, and enhanced experience. The PBA will invest in these premiere events with dedicated marketing campaigns, expanded storytelling and broader media coverage creating new opportunities for our valued host center proprietors, sponsors, and product registration partners.
In tandem with this direction, each region’s remaining 2026 schedule will center on three (3) elevated tournaments this Fall reflecting our new strategy focusing on bigger events and quality of competition. As a result, all previously scheduled regional tournaments starting September 1st will be canceled. Members currently entered in those tournaments will receive a full refund from the PBA and have the opportunity to participate in the upcoming PBA ELITE events. These tournament details including schedules and center locations to be announced August 10th on PBA.com.
In addition, the PBA ELITE Regional Tour will tie into the PBA’s annual Regional Player Invitational (RPI) in December. Alongside the RPI, the PBA will launch the first ever PBA COMBINE designed to measure, identify and recognize top regional players who will be selected for the PBA National Tour.
Finally, as PBA Members plan for 2027, please note the PBA Regional Tour will include our new PBA ELITE Regional events plus an expanded tier of exciting new regional tournaments, which will be announced later this year. The PBA Senior Tour as well as PBA Juniors will also return in 2027 with a renewed focus on innovation and creating new opportunities for players.
Thank you for your continued passion and support of the Professional Bowlers Association.
Questions left unanswered in the release include the futures of the PBA50 and PBA60 Tours, which apparently will become just the PBA Senior Tour as it was years ago; how the regional tours will look in 2027; whether the PBA Senior Tour will in fact have any regionals the remainder of 2026 or in 2027; and the eligibility of current college players for PBA play.
Murray, who is head of entertainment for PBA owner Lucky Strike Entertainment (former Bowlero), is a former National Football League and Professional Fighters League executive who has only “social” bowling experience, said the PBA Senior Tour and PBA Juniors “will also return in 2027 with a renewed focus on innovation and creating new opportunities for players.”
Another question left unanswered is who would be invited or involved in the proposed “combine” and the costs involved as it will run reportedly at same time as the Regional Players Invitational (RPI).
In a Facebook messenger exchange, Legacy Lanes and Lounge in Coshocton, which was supposed to run a PBA50 singles regional in September, said it was told by regional manager Bobby Jekel that its event was canceled.
Clutch Lanes in Cuyahoga Falls still was awaiting word on the future of this event, according a message from general manager Chris Ritzinger.
Park Centre Lanes co-owner Mitchell Sommers also was notified that his proposed dates for the PBA50-60 doubles event in October also have been canceled.
Rebman Recreation in Lorain, host for two PBA and PBA50 Central Region events, is awaiting word on the future of both.
” I talked with (Central Region director) Bobby (Jekel) and was told they are still working on what regionals will look like after January,” Rebman host pro and PBA50 member Rick Zakrajsek said in a Messenger message. “The loss of nonmember entries will certainly be a hit for us as both of my qualifier events may get eliminated. For now it’s a sit and wait until they release full info. Also not sure where PBA50 regionals are going to land either.”
The new PBA Elite Regional Tour is described as “invitational” and as a “clearer pathway for top players to make it to the PBA National Tour,” without defining how those opportunities will occur.
According to the PBA, more information on the changes are expected to be revealed Aug. 10. BowlTV also will be part of the new transition.