Don’t Miss the Best Bowlers in the World at Bayside Bowl, Maine, This Weekend

The crowds will be back and rocking Bayside Bowl this weekend for the Professional Bowlers Association's annual trip to Maine.

Professional Bowlers Association

Founded in 1958, the Professional Bowlers Association (or PBA) is the world's premier bowling tour. The tour travels across the nation, and even the world, to showcase the finest bowlers there are.

The PBA hosts these events at local bowling alleys, and typically draws good crowds. While the tour has had its ups and downs, the PBA is in a bit of a renaissance period, with increasing purses and a solid television deal.

PBA in Maine

One event that has helped the PBA climb into the new era is their annual soiree at Bayside Bowl in Portland. For a brief time every year, the PBA completely takes over the local alley and holds basically a giant tailgate party. It's the closes thing Maine ever gets to a major college football atmosphere.

Believe me, this is not your grandfather's bowling tournament. Fans dress up, enjoy a few adult beverages, and basically get as loud as humanly possible. It's the exact opposite of what you would expect at a bowling tournament.

However, it's been a huge hit. The players love it. The fans love it. The PBA loves it so much that it has become one of the most anticipated weeks of the year.

PBA in Maine Schedule of Events

The PBA and Bayside Bowl have announced a very busy schedule of events for this year's tour stop.

It features the very popular PBA Elite League, which is a true team event. The teams battle it out for the championship starting Sunday, Sept 15, with the championship match being held on Tuesday, Sept 17. The event includes the local franchise, the Portland Lumberjacks, who are three-time winners of the championship. The squad looks to get back to their championship ways following a runner-up finish in 2023.

Other events are included like the Strike Derby. The goal of the event is to throw as many strikes in two minutes as possible. It starts with 12 players, goes down to six, and becomes a head-to-head competition. The entire derby will also be held on Tuesday.

Here's a look at the entire schedule for the PBA Bayside takeover.

Saturday, Sept. 14

Practice: Noon

Sunday, Sept. 15

2024 PBA LBC National Championships Clash / (TAPED on FS1): 12:30 p.m.

PBA Elite League Quarterfinals / (LIVE on FS1): 5 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 16

PBA Elite League Semifinals / (LIVE on FS1): 7 p.m.

PBA Elite League Semifinals / (LIVE on FS1): 9 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 17

Go Bowling PBA Elite League Strike Derby/ (Taped on FOX): 3 p.m.

PBA Elite League Elias Cup Finals / (LIVE on FS1): 7 p.m.

Tickets are available now. There are many different options for the week or individual event dates.

If you can't make it to the events, Fox Sports will have it covered. The League matches will be live, while the other events will be shown on tape delay.

This is a super fun event. Believe me, I have enjoyed many PBA days at Bayside. This image might say it all.

Let's Go 'Jacks!