ARLINGTON, Texas – Over the past 27 years, the United States Bowling Congress Junior Gold program and season-ending Junior Gold Championships have provided thousands of USBC Youth members with the opportunity to compete in a national tournament while battling for scholarships, a youth national title and the opportunity to make Junior Team USA.

During that time, several modifications have been made to the tournament and to the program as a whole in order to enhance the overall member experience.

After careful consideration and based upon survey data, direct participant feedback and input from experienced Junior Gold tournament coordinators, USBC Youth Advisory Group members and individuals who volunteer at the Junior Gold championships national event, the decision has been made to implement several exciting modifications for the 2025-2026 season and national tournament.

These key changes include:

• An updated Junior Gold qualifying window.
• Updated age divisions.
• Practice session modifications.
• An equipment rule update.
• Membership and entry fee adjustments.

Starting in the 2025-2026 season, the Junior Gold qualifying period will run from July 1 to May 1, which was previously May 1 of the current year to May 15 of the following year. This update will impact only a small number of events while maintaining key competition opportunities and ensuring a smooth transition for all athletes. In addition, this will eliminate the confusion of two seasons overlapping.

Additionally, Junior Gold divisions will be adjusted to U12, U14, U16 and U18. This change is designed to create better peer-to-peer competition, allowing athletes to compete within more balanced age groups.

To optimize scheduling and enhance competition readiness, practice sessions will be modified as follows:

• Sessions will be reduced from 45 minutes to 30 minutes.
• Practice will be available on Saturday and Sunday, with Friday squads eliminated.
• Athletes will still bowl in all four practice sessions, ensuring ample preparation.

Equipment rules will change as athletes will now be permitted to alter the surface of their equipment during the warm-up session in the advancer rounds and match play. This adjustment provides players with greater flexibility to prepare equipment based on the lane conditions they did not see during practice sessions. 

The final modification will impact the program’s membership and national tournament entry fees, which have remained largely unchanged, with only minimal adjustments based on new age divisions. Starting in the 2025-2026 season, pricing will be updated as follows:
 

DIVISION	MEMBERSHIP	ENTRY FEE
U12	$25	$150
U14	$40	$200
U16	$50	$250
U18	$50	$250

The adjustments to membership and entry fees will directly support improvements aimed at enhancing the Junior Gold experience.

Over the past several years, USBC has expanded the event with additions like the Opening Ceremony, Party in the Park and upgraded venues for the Trade Show and Registration, creating a more memorable and engaging experience for athletes and families alike.

A portion of the tournament entry fee increase will help offset rising costs. Combined with the updated age division structure, this also opens the door to bringing the Junior Gold Championships to more cities and venues across the country.

In addition, since the 2022–2023 season, all Junior Gold members have received a subscription to Bowlers Journal as part of their membership, providing access to inspiring stories, coaching tips and a deeper connection to the sport. The cost of providing this benefit has been largely supported by membership revenue.

Looking ahead, beginning with the 2025-2026 season, USBC plans to reintroduce an additional Junior Gold membership gift, continuing to add value for our members alongside the ongoing Bowlers Journal subscription.

To learn more about these modifications and get answers to frequently asked questions, CLICK HERE. For more information on the Junior Gold Championships, visit BOWL.com/JuniorGold.