There were to be eight events that determined the 2021 world champions, the men's singles, doubles, triples and fours and the women's singles, doubles, triples and fours and in addition there are two overall team winners who receive the Leonard and Taylor trophies respectively.

It was originally scheduled from 23 May to 7 June 2020 [1] but the event was officially cancelled on 9 March 2021.

[3] Australia's borders were closed to foreign travellers and no time was set as to when the event would be postponed until, due to the uncertain nature of the coronavirus.

“We believe this is the right decision to minimise the risk of public exposure to the coronavirus, which the World Health Organisation [sic] recently declared a global pandemic," World Bowls Chief Executive Officer Gary Smith said at the time.

[5] Following continual issues surrounding the pandemic the Championships were officially cancelled on 9 March 2021.