The 2026 ELVIS Invitational Tournament will take place from Friday, September 4th, to Sunday, September 6th, 2026, at Sam’s Town Bowling Center in Las Vegas, NV.
A. Sanctioning
· The 2026 ELVIS Tournament is a USBC certified tournament, holding the Certification Number (04655).
· ELVIS is a proud member of the International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO).
· All participants must possess a current USBC membership card.
· Entrants must also meet the IGBO membership requirements for the 2025/2026 season. This includes anyone who has participated in an IGBO-sanctioned league. Alternatively, bowlers may become a current IGBO Associate member by paying the Associate Membership Fee of $30. This fee must be processed online after registering for the ELVIS Tournament using the link provided at the bottom of this page.
B. Event Participation
· ELVIS entrants are required to hold a current USBC membership card. Participants not up to date with USBC must obtain a card at the prevailing rate. Entrants in the ELVIS Tournament must either be an IGBO member or be bowling in a current IGBO-sanctioned league; non-IGBO members are required to purchase an IGBO membership at the tournament or face disqualification.
· ELVIS is a mixed handicap competition by invite only, and entries can be refused.
· The tournament will feature handicap events as outlined below:
o Doubles on Saturday, September 5, at 10 am
o Team Event on Saturday, September 5, at 2 pm
o Singles on Sunday, September 6, at 10 am
· Each participant will bowl three (3) games in each event and must enter all three (3) events: Team, Doubles, and Singles.
· Teams will consist of four members, allowing any combination of men and women.
· All participants will compete on an equal basis without regard to gender identity.
· Doubles partners must be from the same team.
· Each participant may bowl only once in each event.
· Professional bowlers may participate in the ELVIS Tournament, with the limitation of one (1) professional bowler per team.
o A professional bowler is defined as anyone who is or has been a member of the PBA/PWBA and has won a professional title (national or regional) within the past five years.
o Professional bowlers must declare their status at check-in.
C. Awards and Prizes
· All cash awards will be calculated based on total pins plus assigned handicap for each event, excluding optional events outlined under Entry Fees.
· Ties in any position will result in aggregating the prizes for those tied and dividing them equally among the tied competitors.
· Prize distribution will occur via 1) Zelle or 2) a check payable in US currency within thirty (30) days after the tournament concludes, pending any protests.
D. Entering Averages
· Every bowler entering the ELVIS Tournament must present an established ten-pin average that is acceptable to USBC.
· The following criteria will determine the entering average:
o The bowler’s 2025-2026 composite single league average will be used unless the bowler's IGBO TAD, for the period from August 9, 2025, through August 9, 2026, with a minimum of 18 games, is one (1) or more pins higher than the composite average, in which case the IGBO TAD will apply.
o If neither of the above is applicable, the bowler’s 2024-2025 USBC composite average will be considered.
o Summer league averages for 2026 will not be acceptable unless no other averages are available. If that's the case, the highest August 21 average with a minimum of 21 games will be utilized.
o Averages from sport bowling leagues will be accepted using the USBC conversion chart for sport bowling averages if the aforementioned options are unavailable.
o If no averages apply, a default entering average of 230 will be used.
o The Tournament Director retains the final say on which average to use and holds the authority to rerate any bowler. Should a bowler have been rerated previously, it’s their responsibility to inform the Tournament Director. Failure to disclose this may lead to disqualification and forfeiture of entry fees.
· Required documentation to verify averages includes:
o Bowl.com average verification
o League Secretary.com
o League standing sheet provided by the league secretary
o IGBO TAD
· The handicap for the tournament will be based on 90% of the difference between the bowler’s entering average and a scratch score of 230. Negative handicaps will not be applied.
E. Attendance and Substitutes
· It is the sole responsibility of the bowler to be present at their assigned lanes when it's time to bowl.
· Complete Doubles and Team entrants must be present for each event. If a team member or doubles partner is not present, an authorized substitute may be utilized if no competition has begun in any event. If a substitute is not available, a score of zero will be recorded.
· Late bowlers will commence bowling in the frame they are prepared for, with previous frames scored as zero. No practice balls will be allowed for late arrivals.
· Substitutes may compete at the Tournament Director's discretion, and their entering average must meet ELVIS guidelines.
F. Entry Requirements
· The entry fee for the ELVIS Tournament is set at $125.00.
· Entries must be submitted online. The fee is payable through PayPal no later than August 7th. A $20 late fee will be applied to any entry paid after this date.
· Registration closes at 11:59 pm on August 21, 2026.
· Entries are capped at a maximum of 50 teams or 200 bowlers. Once this limit is reached, no further entries will be accepted.
· Only complete entries, with all required information and full payment, will be considered accepted for the tournament.
· Partial team entries will be accepted, and tournament management will make every effort to fill any vacancies.
· Accepted entries will not receive refunds unless the tournament has sold out.
· Bowlers with “free entry” certificates must indicate this on their online entry and present the certificate before completing their online payment.
o “Free entry” certificates must be redeemed by August 21, 2026; failure to register and redeem will void the certificate.
o No refunds will be issued for bowlers who do not present their free entry certificates.
G. Entry Fees and Prize Distribution
· Lineage - $31.50 ($3.50/game)
· Expenses - $20.00 (includes IGBO fee, tournament supplies, PayPal fees)
· Prize Fund - $73.50 (see breakdown below)
· Prize fund distribution will follow a payout ratio of 1:5:
o Team ($24.50 per bowler)
o Doubles ($24.50 per bowler)
o Singles ($24.50 per bowler)
· Optional events and costs are outlined below (payout ratio of 1:8):
o Grand Mystery Doubles Handicap Series ($30) - $10 for Team, $10 for Doubles, $10 for Singles
o Best 3 of 9 ($25)
o Open Handicap All Events ($25)
o Scratch All Events (by division averages) ($25)
§ Division A – Averages 200 and up
§ Division B - Averages 185 – 199
§ Division C – Average 170 to 184
§ Division D – Average 155 to 169
§ Division E – Average 154 and below
o Optional Women Handicap All Events ($25)
o Optional Senior (50+) Handicap All Events ($25)
o Scratch Masters (top 6 or fraction if fewer than 6 entrants)
§ Division A – Averages 200 and up - $50
§ Division B - Averages 185 – 199 - $45
§ Division C – Averages 170 to 184 - $40
§ Division D – Averages 155 to 169 - $35
§ Division E – Averages 154 and below - $30
H. Protests
· Any claims of errors or disputes must be submitted to tournament management in writing within seventy-two (72) hours of the incident. The protesting bowler(s) and the Tournament Director will resolve the dispute according to ELVIS and USBC Tournament Rules. The decision made by tournament management is final unless a written appeal is submitted to USBC Headquarters within the time frame specified in USBC Rule 329.
I. General
· Any individual attending the ELVIS Tournament who requires special assistance must inform the Tournament Director in writing prior to the tournament weekend.
· Attendance at ELVIS implies consent to photos/videos shared on social media during the event.
· All bowlers are encouraged to observe a one-lane courtesy.
· The highest possible score, inclusive of handicap, shall be 300 per game and 900 for the series.
J. Scratch Masters
· The top six scratch entrants after nine games in each division will participate in a single elimination shoot-out.
· The competition will be conducted as a shoot-out, with all six bowlers bowling two games on the same pair of lanes. The four bowlers with the highest two-game scores will advance. Following round one, the remaining four bowlers will bowl one game, with the two highest scores moving to the final round, where the last two bowlers will compete for the championship.
· In the case of a tie for the sixth spot, the tied bowlers will play one additional game, with the highest score securing advancement.
· Ties during the roll-off of any matches will be resolved through a one-ball roll-off, with the higher pinfall declared the winner. If a tie persists, the bowlers will switch lanes and have another roll-off. The higher-seeded bowler can choose the order of play and lane choice to start.
· Each bowler will receive ten minutes for practice on their designated lanes. Rounds two and three will proceed directly into their one-game matches without any practice.
K. Schedule of Events
· Friday, September 4th/4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Registration
· Friday, September 4th/7:00 pm – 10:00 pm No Tap 4 game Singles
· Saturday, September 5th/8:00 am – 9:00 am Registration
· Saturday, September 5th/10:00 am – 1:00 pm Doubles Event
· Saturday, September 5th/2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Team Event
· Sunday, September 6th/10:00 am – 1:00 pm Singles Event
· Sunday, September 6th/2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Scratch Masters
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