2021 USBC Masters, U.S. Open Shift To National Bowling Stadium In Reno
2021 USBC Masters, U.S. Open Shift To National Bowling Stadium In Reno
The location of two of the PBA Tour’s major events have been shifted as the United States Bowling Congress continues to adjust to the coronavirus pandemic.
The location of two of the PBA Tour’s major events have been shifted as the United States Bowling Congress continues to adjust to the coronavirus pandemic.
The USBC Masters and U.S. Open, both operated by USBC, will now be held at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada, in back-to-back weeks starting March 29. Both events will be broadcast live on FloBowling with the finals on FS1.
The Masters was previously scheduled to be held in Las Vegas, while the U.S. Open was set for the Green Bay, Wisconsin, area. The dates for the U.S. Open were also shifted from the original schedule.
USBC said in a release putting both events back-to-back would allow competitors bowling both events to only make one trip. The Masters is set for March 29-April 4, while the U.S. Open will be held April 4-11.
Given the pandemic, these events could be shifted again depending on the situation, however, USBC Executive Director Chad Murphy said the events will be held in 2021.
“We are committed to running these events in 2021,” Murphy said in a release. “By moving the tournaments to Reno and back in the calendar, we are better positioned to receive approval from health officials to conduct the events, while also adding additional lanes for more competitors.”
Per the rules for the events, no fans will be allowed to be in attendance and bowlers will only be allowed in the venue when competing on their squad.
“Until further notice, spectators will not be permitted, except when accompanying a minor,” the rules read. “Spectators shall be limited to one immediate family member per minor athlete, and the family member is required to wear a mask at all times. Until spectators are allowed, athletes will not be permitted in the building to observe other squads bowling.”
Earlier this month, the PBA announced the 2021 season would start with a revamped PBA Players Championship, which begins with regional qualifying rounds on Jan. 16-17 live exclusively on FloBowling.
The Players Championship will include six televised stepladder finals – one from each of the five regions plus the championship show – and will make up the PBA’s schedule for January and February.
The PBA said it plans to hold other events in 2021, including the PBA Tournament of Champions and PBA World Series of Bowling among others, but has not announced details yet.