[1] In 1990 the sport was under a period of fragmentation following the loss of the television coverage connected with the World Indoor Bowls Championships.

John Hall the President of the English Bowls Association unsuccessfully called for closer co-operation between the indoor and outdoor game.

On 1 January 1997, under the then chairman Richard Corsie, the PBA created the World Bowls Tour and after the 1997 championship replaced the World Indoor Bowls Council as the leading indoor organisation.

[3] The purpose of the World Bowls Tour was to set up and create championships and competitions to further the aims of the PBA.

[5] Sponsors and previous names Sponsors and previous names The youngest player is Desmond Lai from Hong Kong, China, who at the age of 15 (January 2024) took part in the 2024 World Bowls Indoor Championships.