🎳 What is the Revised Schedule

​The 2026 Match Play Madness tournament will span three days, February 3 – 5.

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Monday, February 2

1 & 3 pm: Optional sweepers

Tuesday, February 3

9 & 11 am: Optional Official Practice Sessions (choose one or none)

2 pm: Ranking Competition, five games

Wednesday, February 4

9 am - 1 pm: Knock-Out Match Play Rounds 1 - 4

Thursday, February 5

9 am - 1 pm: Knock-Out Match Play Rounds 5 - 8

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🎳 Prize Money and Entry Fee

• Is the prize fund guaranteed?

Yes! The prize fund is guaranteed.

• The champion will be awarded $50,000, regardless of the number of entries.

• Bowlers who win two elimination matches will receive a minimum of $1,500.

• Additional prizes will be awarded within each respective division based on the total number of entries.

 

• What is the entry fee?

The entry fee is $750, which goes 100% towards the prize money.

 

• What are the payment options?

You have two ways to pay the entry fee:

1. Zelle: Send $750 directly to entryfee@matchplaymadness.com.

2. Credit Card: Pay $780 on the Madness website. This includes $750 in prize money, plus a $30 administrative and merchant processing fee.

 

Bowling Ball Rules and Equipment

• Does the entry fee include a SKILL 3.02 bowling ball?

No. 100% of your entry fee is dedicated to the prize money. The SKILL 3.02 ball may be purchased separately for $170, which includes domestic shipping. Click HERE to purchase one now.

• Will the 2027 Madness require a new or different bowling ball?

No. The exclusive ball of the Madness will remain the SKILL 3.02 for the foreseeable future. The SKILL 3.02 is highly durable, and the ball you purchase this year can be used in the tournament next year as well.

• I bowl two-handed but use my thumb for spare shots. Can I bring a spare ball with a thumb hole?

No, you are limited to a single SKILL 3.02 for both strikes and spares. However, our rules allow flexibility in how you use the ball:

• You have the option to use or not use any legitimate finger or thumb hole that is drilled.

• Drilling/Grip Rules:

  • Each hole must fit the corresponding finger or thumb.

  • Static limits are 1 ounce for finger, thumb, and side weight, and 3 ounces for top and bottom weight.

  • If the ball is drilled without a thumb hole, the ball must be scribed or engraved with a “+” near the center of the palm to indicate the legal grip orientation.

  • You must release the ball in the drilled orientation.

• Delivery Rules:

  • With a thumb hole: The thumb must be inserted (fully or partially) into the hole, OR the palm must cover the thumb hole.

  • Without a thumb hole: The palm must cover the “+” mark.

• I am a ball staff member. Am I allowed to wear my brand's jerseys?

Yes!

 

🎳 Oil Pattern

• Goldilocks is a low-volume SKILL lane conditioner pattern designed to be “not too hard and not too soft.” • Pattern length: 40’ • Volume: 6.5 to 7.5 mL • Ratio: 3 to 1

• The low-volume oil pattern, combined with the SKILL 3.02 bowling ball, creates a stable scoring environment in which “who you follow” doesn’t play a role in your success or failure.

• Click HERE to download the pattern.

 

🎳 Eligibility and Divisions

• Who can enter the Madness?

Anyone and everyone is welcome to enter, regardless of professional or amateur standing.

• Note for Professional Bowlers: Bowlers who have won a PBA national title since January 1, 2021, or finished in the top 50 of the PBA's 2023, 2024, and 2025 points lists are required to compete in an Open division bracket.

• How many divisions and brackets are there?

There are four divisions, each containing four brackets. Each bracket is limited to 16 bowlers.

Women (24 years of age & younger, 25 – 29, 30 – 34, 35 and older)

Seniors (50 – 54 years of age, 55 – 59, 60 – 64, 65 and older)

Men (One hand from the right, One hand from the left, Two hands from the right, Two hands from the left)

Open (One hand from the right, One hand from the left, Two hands from the right, Two hands from the left)

• What is the purpose of the divisions and brackets?

The divisions and brackets are designed to create a level playing field and guarantee a diverse set of finalists.

• Championship Path: It takes eight rounds of knock-out match play to determine the Madness champion.

• Guaranteed Finalists: The divisions guarantee that one woman, one senior, one male, and one open representative advance to the seventh round.

• Bracket Segregation: Bowlers are protected from facing certain competitors until the later rounds:

  • Those in the Women’s division will not face a male until the 7th round.

  • Those in the Senior division will not face a competitor under 50 until the 7th round.

  • Two-handers will not face a one-hander until the 6th round.

  • Righties will not face a leftie until the 5th round.

• What divisions am I eligible for?

  • Women may enter a Women’s or Open division bracket. Women over 50 may enter the age-appropriate Senior division bracket.

  • Seniors may enter a Senior, Men’s, or Open division bracket.

  • Men under 50 may enter a Men’s or Open division bracket.

  • The Open division brackets are open to everyone.

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🎳 Tournament Format

Phase One: Ranking Competition (Non-Elimination)

This initial phase serves to familiarize all competitors with the SKILL bowling environment, provide opportunities for side action, and determine the seeding (ranking) for the main elimination bracket (Phase Two).

Duration: Bowlers will compete in 5 total games.

Setup: 16 bowlers per bracket; 4 bowlers assigned per pair of lanes.

Rotation: After each game, bowlers rotate to a new pair. Over the five games, each bowler will face all 15 other opponents within their bracket.

Elimination: There are No Eliminations in Phase One.

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Bonus Pin Structure

Bonus pins are awarded after each game based on your rank within your 4-person pairing:

Rank on Pair (Per Game)

Bonus Pins Awarded

1st Place: +30 pins

2nd Place: +15 pins

3rd Place: +10 pins

4th Place: +0 pins

Phase Two: Elimination Matches

• What is the format for each elimination match?

All matches in the Madness are single-game, head-to-head elimination. The bowler with the higher score advances to the next round, and the loser is eliminated. A 9th and 10th frame roll-off will break ties.

• How many matches must I win to claim the championship?

Eight rounds of elimination match play will determine the Madness champion and recipient of the guaranteed $50,000 prize.

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📅 Tournament Location

The Gold Coast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.​

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