USBC moving to digital membership cards starting in the 2027-2028 season
April 16, 2026
ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States Bowling Congress will no longer mail printed membership cards beginning with the 2027-2028 season. Members are encouraged to use the BOWL.com mobile app for their digital card and will be able to print their own membership cards, if desired, using Find A Member on BOWL.com.
USBC will use the 2026-2027 season as a transition season to help prepare members for a fully digital membership card platform.
During the upcoming season, USBC will be encouraging members to take advantage of a digital method that makes it easier than ever to join online at BOWL.com/JOIN and to download and use the mobile app for BOWL.com to provide a more convenient, faster, always-accessible membership experience.
USBC will support members and league officials throughout the year with tools and guidance to make the transition to digital simple and seamless, with an added focus on introducing new features that enable quick renewals.
Benefits and new features of a transition to digital membership include:
To assist members, league officers, centers and associations with the digital adoption, some new assets will be sent out with association supplies this summer. There will be new membership applications with QR codes to join online provided to leagues, posters will be given to centers to display and a handout for league officials with details to help improve communication at league meetings will be distributed.
Collectively, these efforts are intended to prepare members for an improved digital membership experience beginning with the first fully digital season in 2027-2028.
During a recent membership survey, when asked in what ways they used their printed membership card, more than 85% of respondents said they either “didn’t use it for anything” or simply “put it in my wallet.” Additionally, only 11% of members in the survey said the card is a valuable element of membership.
At the same time, smartphone adoption across USBC’s core demographics now exceeds 92% usage and continues to grow.
These results emphasize that most USBC members are already relying on digital tools, allowing USBC to enhance the membership experience to better match how bowlers engage today.
Modernizing the membership card program supports USBC’s broader digital transformation roadmap, which includes upgrading the membership system, improving the mobile app, promoting data-driven communication initiatives and cost-efficient strategies.
A digital membership experience also aligns directly with the needs of tournament directors, youth operators and local associations as they shift toward faster, more reliable verification methods.
This transition represents the next step in USBC’s digital evolution, positioning the organization to better serve members and support the long-term future of the sport.
USBC will be providing more information on this transition in the weeks and months ahead.
USBC will use the 2026-2027 season as a transition season to help prepare members for a fully digital membership card platform.
During the upcoming season, USBC will be encouraging members to take advantage of a digital method that makes it easier than ever to join online at BOWL.com/JOIN and to download and use the mobile app for BOWL.com to provide a more convenient, faster, always-accessible membership experience.
USBC will support members and league officials throughout the year with tools and guidance to make the transition to digital simple and seamless, with an added focus on introducing new features that enable quick renewals.
Benefits and new features of a transition to digital membership include:
- Instant activation and access to membership, no more waiting for your card to arrive in the mail.
- Handy access to membership cards via cell phones.
- Improved efficiency during check-in for tournaments and leagues.
- Easier renewals and upgrades.
To assist members, league officers, centers and associations with the digital adoption, some new assets will be sent out with association supplies this summer. There will be new membership applications with QR codes to join online provided to leagues, posters will be given to centers to display and a handout for league officials with details to help improve communication at league meetings will be distributed.
Collectively, these efforts are intended to prepare members for an improved digital membership experience beginning with the first fully digital season in 2027-2028.
During a recent membership survey, when asked in what ways they used their printed membership card, more than 85% of respondents said they either “didn’t use it for anything” or simply “put it in my wallet.” Additionally, only 11% of members in the survey said the card is a valuable element of membership.
At the same time, smartphone adoption across USBC’s core demographics now exceeds 92% usage and continues to grow.
These results emphasize that most USBC members are already relying on digital tools, allowing USBC to enhance the membership experience to better match how bowlers engage today.
Modernizing the membership card program supports USBC’s broader digital transformation roadmap, which includes upgrading the membership system, improving the mobile app, promoting data-driven communication initiatives and cost-efficient strategies.
A digital membership experience also aligns directly with the needs of tournament directors, youth operators and local associations as they shift toward faster, more reliable verification methods.
This transition represents the next step in USBC’s digital evolution, positioning the organization to better serve members and support the long-term future of the sport.
USBC will be providing more information on this transition in the weeks and months ahead.