A simpler registration – with more going back to States and Centres
By Tenpin Bowling Australia
From 3 November 2025, Tenpin Bowling Australia (TBA) will transition to a new registration platform (PlayHQ) and introduce a fresh pricing model for the 2026 registration year.
The major reform to our registration fee and structure aims to boost the sustainability of our sport and ensure ongoing investment in participation initiatives, support for State, Territory, and Centre programs, and assistance for registered players.
“We are committed to providing the best possible experience for bowlers at every level,” said Kurt Wilson, CEO of Tenpin Bowling Australia. “By standardising our payment process and reinvesting directly into the states, territories, and centres along with our community programs, we are laying the foundation for a stronger future in the sport.”
2026 TBA Registration Prices: (GST Included)
Early Bird Window (3 November – 19 December 2025)
| 2026 BREAKDOWN | % BREAKDOWN | ADULT FEES | JUNIOR FEES |
| TBA | 75% | $60.00 | $52.50 |
| STATE ASSOCIATION | 15% | $12.00 | $10.50 |
| HOME CENTRE | 10% | $8.00 | $7.00 |
| PARTICIPANT PAYS | 100% | $80.00 | $70.00 |
Standard Rates (From 20 December 2025)
| 2026 BREAKDOWN | % BREAKDOWN | ADULT FEES | JUNIOR FEES |
| TBA | 75% | $63.75 | $56.25 |
| STATE ASSOCIATION | 15% | $12.75 | $11.25 |
| HOME CENTRE | 10% | $8.50 | $7.50 |
| PARTICIPANT PAYS | 100% | $85.00 | $75.00 |
This adjustment does three things:
- Sends funding back to where you bowl. Each registration will now be shared with your State/Territory body (15%) and your home centre (10%), with 75% allocated to TBA for national services.
- Makes joining simpler. One secure online process in PlayHQ. No more in-centre payments, bulk uploads, or separate lane levy requirements.
- Invests in a stronger sport. Your fees support insurance, community programs, volunteers, national events, marketing and digital tools.
“This model focuses on reinvesting in local bowling while making registrations simpler,” said Kurt Wilson, TBA CEO. “By sharing every registration with states and centres and streamlining payments, we’re creating a clearer, fairer pathway to grow the sport and are committed to providing the best possible experience for our bowlers at every level.”
Key Dates
- 3 November 2025 at 9:00 AM AEST: Early bird registration opens for the 2026 registration year at $80 per Adult and $70 per Junior.
- 19 December 2025 at 5:00 PM AEST: Early-bird registration closes, and standard TBA registration rates will be set at $85 per Adult and $75 per Junior.
Where do your fees go? (per registration)
75% – TBA
- Enhanced insurance coverage for participants
- Increased investment in community programs and volunteer support
- Improvement of national events, ensuring better experiences for both participants and spectators
- Development of marketing initiatives to elevate the profile of Tenpin Bowling
- Upgrades to our digital infrastructure to facilitate engagement and participation.
15% – Your State/Territory body
With 15% of registration fees going to the State or Territory body in which the registered participant resides, it provides the State Associations with some much-needed investment to support local activities, including local participation support, development, and services.
10% – Your Home Centre
The remaining 10% of the registration will be allocated to the registered participant’s home centre to provide local on-the-ground support and engagement.
The complete breakdown of fees for both the early-bird window and the standard 2026 rates is provided below.
2026 TBA Registration Prices: (GST Included)
Early Bird Window (3 November – 19 December 2025)
| 2026 BREAKDOWN | % BREAKDOWN | ADULT FEES | JUNIOR FEES |
| TBA | 75% | $60.00 | $52.50 |
| STATE ASSOCIATION | 15% | $12.00 | $10.50 |
| HOME CENTRE | 10% | $8.00 | $7.00 |
| PARTICIPANT PAYS | 100% | $80.00 | $70.00 |
Standard Rates (From 20 December 2025)
| 2026 BREAKDOWN | % BREAKDOWN | ADULT FEES | JUNIOR FEES |
| TBA | 75% | $63.75 | $56.25 |
| STATE ASSOCIATION | 15% | $12.75 | $11.25 |
| HOME CENTRE | 10% | $8.50 | $7.50 |
| PARTICIPANT PAYS | 100% | $85.00 | $75.00 |
GST Included.
To promote transparency, further details on how these fees will benefit registered participants will be shared in the coming months.
What’s changing (and what isn’t)
Enhancements
- One online checkout via PlayHQ for all TBA registrations
- TenpinResults will no longer be the platform that bowlers complete registrations. There will now only be one method required and available for all registrations – the PLAYHQ online process
- TBA will no longer accept in-centre payments or bulk uploads, and will cease processing lane levy payments. Every single registration must follow the same process online to ensure adherence to proper governance.
- Based on interest levels in 2025, it has been decided that no physical membership cards will be in existence in 2026.
Staying the same
- Your access to TBA-accredited leagues and events
- Registered participant insurance coverage (with planned enhancements)
- Ability to nominate a home centre
- TenpinResults will remain as TBA’s event and competition platform for 2026.
FAQs
Why are prices changing?
This reform is crucial to adapt to the rising costs of running our sport, including insurance, staffing, and technology costs. The last significant adjustment to registration fees was made some time ago, and these enhancements will help TBA manage financial pressures while continuing to provide excellent service to our members. TBA’s registration fee is well below the national average and significantly lower than what other organisations charge for similar value. To keep up with increasing costs (insurance, staffing, technology) and to allocate a portion of each registration back to States and centres. The aim is to boost participation and enhance the member experience both locally and nationally.
How will my fees be used?
- Enhanced insurance coverage for participants
- Community program investment and volunteer support
- Improvement of national events, ensuring better experiences for both participants and spectators
- Development of marketing initiatives to elevate the profile of Tenpin Bowling and attract new participants
- Upgrades to digital infrastructure to facilitate engagement and participation
What does this mean for my 2025 registration?
No further action is required if you’ve registered for the 2025 season. Registration for this year will still be accepted through the current provider, Tenpin Results. All 2026 registrations must be completed via the Play HQ portal.
Will fees be reviewed again?
Yes. TBA is committed to regularly reviewing registration fees in consultation with our community. Starting from 3 November 2025, TBA will adopt a three-year plan with staged incremental increases to support long-term sustainability.
| EARLY BIRD WINDOW | ADULT FEES | JUNIOR FEES |
| 2026 | $80.00 | $70.00 |
| 2027 | $90.00 | $80.00 |
| 2028 | $100.00 | $90.00 |
| STANDARD RATES | ADULT FEES | JUNIOR FEES |
| 2026 | $85.00 | $75.00 |
| 2027 | $95.00 | $85.00 |
| 2028 | $105.00 | $95.00 |
How do I pay?
Via PlayHQ using secure online payment methods. Centres won’t collect registration payments on TBA’s behalf.
What payment methods will be available for bowlers to register on PLAYHQ?
There are several payment methods available on our new platform at PLAYHQ, including:
- Cred/Debit Card
- Click to Pay
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Paypal
- Paypal Pay in 4
Can you tell me the steps that bowlers will need to follow to register?
Resource documentation will be provided and available on our website when the early-bird period begins on November 3, 2025.
I usually process someone else’s registration renewal or handle multiple participants in one transaction – will I still be able to do this?
This is no longer available, except in cases where a parent or guardian is registering a dependent or a carer is registering a bowler with a disability.
Every participant must register themselves online via PLAYHQ, which includes completing the Tenpin Bowling Australia Registration Application and Declaration individually.
The registration declaration will be embedded into the PLAYHQ process for each participant to ‘accept’ digitally.
What happens to my existing TBA member number?
This will be retained in TenpinResults (TPR) going forward and will now be known as your TPR Identification number.
This number will only relate to TPR and will be necessary for bowlers to log in to TenpinResults, which will remain our competition platform for league scores and the entry of TBA-ranked and accredited tournaments.
What is my ‘home centre’ and can I change it?
Your home centre is the TBA registered centre you select when registering. You can update it upon renewal if your usual bowling venue changes.
Does the State/Centre share apply to every registered participant?
Yes – every TBA registration is split 75% TBA, 15% State/Territory, 10% Home Centre.
Tell me more about the Early-bird period starting 3 November 2025
Like previous years, we will open the 2026 registration in November 2025 for an early-bird period. There are some slight differences from previous years, including the end date of the early-bird period.
Participants will be able to register for a reduced fee from 9:00 AM AEST on 3 November 2025, and the early-bird window will remain open until 5:00 PM AEST on 19 December 2025.
As in previous years, TBA will offer some early-bird prizes to those who register during this period. After the early-bird period, standard registration fees will be $85 per Adult and $75 per Junior.
What is happening with Silver Upgrade membership?
The Silver Upgrade is no longer needed.
Starting in 2026, all Adult and Junior members will automatically receive the benefits that were previously only available through the Silver Upgrade, such as qualifying for national rankings. This enhancement simplifies registration: you can choose between Adult and Junior registration without needing an extra upgrade. It also clears up confusion and reduces admin when bowlers thought the Silver Upgrade was a separate product.
Who needs to register with TBA?
All bowlers participating in league play at a TBA-registered centre are expected to register with TBA. This helps ensure you’re part of a recognised and standardised bowling community that the Australian Sports Commission also acknowledges.
How do you define a league as I see myself as a social bowler?
We understand and appreciate that many bowlers mention they bowl for social reasons with family and friends. However, the TBA rule book defines a league in Rule 301 as any group of four or more teams of players or four or more individual players participating according to a set schedule, regardless of whether prizes are involved. If the centre or league records results, including point allocations, averages, handicaps, and award prizes based on the games bowled, it counts as a league, and TBA registration is necessary.
Need help or have feedback?
Contact [email protected]
TBA will continue to develop its registration FAQs, so check back later for more information.
