A Tournament that Endures

Lessons in Longevity and Engagement

By Stephanie Davis|October 12, 2026|5 min read

Tournaments remain a steady force in competitive bowling. Across the country, players continue to participate, especially when events evolve to meet changing expectations. Ask tournament operators whose events have lasted, and you’ll hear a common theme: keep updating the format, add new ways to compete, and make sure younger bowlers see something built for them.

The Jackpot Classic is proof that approach works. Created and operated by the Washington State Bowling Proprietors Association (WBPA), the event has grown steadily over the past 30 years.

What began with just 100 players has grown into a signature annual tradition. The 30th Anniversary celebration, set for June 2–5, 2026, at the Orleans Hotel Resort Casino in Las Vegas, is nearly sold out, with only a handful of spots remaining. Over three decades, the tournament has awarded more than $2.75 million in prize money, including roughly $120,000 paid out annually in cash during the event.

“All the work to get the event off the ground, and then 30 years later having two-and-a-half times more people, it’s heartwarming,” says Greg Olsen, executive director of the Washington State Bowling Proprietors Association. “I’m proud of this in my career.”

What keeps bowlers engaged 30 years later?

“You’ve got to pay attention to what your bowlers are telling you, and the numbers usually tell the story,” Olsen says. “If participation shifts, we adjust. If they’re gravitating toward certain formats, we build on that. The key is to keep evolving in a smart way, give them new ways to jump in, and make sure everyone walks away feeling like it was worth it. When people feel valued, they come back.”

New Structure for the 2026 Event

In previous years, bowlers were only required to compete in doubles, with other formats optional. But the data told a different story. Over the past few years, 93% of participants also bowled team, and 89% competed in singles.

This year, the event has different formats bundled together. “The board felt we should be consistent with the USBC Nationals,” Olsen explains. It simplifies registration. It reinforces the full competitive experience. And it reflects what bowlers were already choosing to do.

“If you’re going to keep something alive for 30 years, you can’t just run it the same way and hope people show up,” Olsen says. “We pay attention to what our bowlers are already choosing to do, and then we build around that. The goal is to keep it competitive but also keep it fun and worth the trip.”

The 2026 entry fee is $380 per person. That covers singles, doubles, team competition, team registration, and the awards party.

Popular Optional Events Keep It Fresh

While the core competition anchors the weekend, several popular optional formats broaden the appeal and keep the energy high. These popular events create new partnerships, spark friendly rivalries, and give players additional opportunities to reconnect year after year.

Second Chance Doubles draws 150–160 participants each year. It gives players an opportunity to re-partner, often with teammates from their four-person squad, but sometimes with friends they’ve met at the tournament over decades of participation — competitors they may see only once a year at this event.
The Trio event, introduced six years ago, has become one of the most popular additions, typically selling out at around 52 teams.

Younger Participation

Of course, keeping something alive for 30 years means paying attention to who is coming up next. Olsen is quick to point out that the overall field does trend older, which makes it important to build in formats that catch the attention of younger competitors. If they don’t see something that feels exciting, they won’t show up.

That’s where a couple of newer formats, now part of the Jackpot Classic lineup, have really made an impact:

The Late Night Dumpster Fire, held at 9:30 p.m., lets players drop their lowest score from a three-game series. It regularly draws 50-60 entries and has a lively, late-night energy that feels different from the traditional tournament blocks.
The Shootout typically begins with 50 to 60 bowlers before the field is cut to 16 finalists across two divisions. From there, it becomes a one-game elimination battle, working down to a single champion. It’s a grind and a true test of focus, drawing strong scratch players who thrive in that head-to-head, high-pressure format.

“These optional events really give the weekend some range,” Olsen says. “Our longtime participants still get the structure and format they’re comfortable with, but younger bowlers get something that feels faster, more competitive, and more fun. It lets us serve both groups without losing what makes the tournament work.”

Everyone Leaves a Winner

Here’s something you don’t see every day: every single bowler cashes. At check-in, participants are handed $50 in cash, before they’ve even thrown a ball. That amount represents last place. If someone bowls four events, they’re getting $200 back right off the bat. It puts a smile on their face right away and, as Olsen notes, takes the edge off those pre-competition nerves.

The idea came from one of the tournament’s founders, Gordy Cea, of Tyee Lanes in Everett, Washington. His philosophy was that if everyone leaves with something in their pocket, they leave feeling good about the experience.

Most participants still come from the Seattle area, but the competition also draws bowlers from Arizona, Oregon, Oklahoma, and even Minnesota. “Many of these bowlers originally came from Washington but moved away and now form teams at their new local center. They love to come back and compete together each year,” said Olsen. For a lot of them, this isn’t just another tournament weekend. It’s an annual trip — part competition, part reunion, part quick getaway.

Olsen has watched firsthand what this event does for the relationship between proprietors and their league bowlers.

“At the end of the day, it’s not just about scores,” Olsen says. “It’s about the relationships. When bowlers travel together, compete together, and come back year after year, that connection carries right back into league night. That’s what keeps this going.”

When a group makes the trip, the dynamic shifts. Some proprietors compete alongside their bowlers, others come to support, but either way, it creates time together outside the usual weeknight routine, sharing dinners, stories, and wins. While fewer proprietors travel than in years past, those who do understand how a few days together can strengthen bonds that last long after the tournament ends.

The most telling sign of the event’s impact is the returning list. Families now compete across three generations. Kids who once sat coloring at lane side tables while their parents bowled are now lacing up shoes and competing alongside them.

Thirty years in, the Jackpot Classic remains a working example of how giving bowlers a reason to return pays off. When you watch participation trends, update your offering to attract new players, and make everyone feel valued, you make it easier for them to say yes.

The Jackpot Classic shows that: