Bowling Alley in Canada — Fun for the Whole Family
Ten-Pin Bowling the Way It Should Be
Looking for a bowling alley near you? Splitsville Bowl is Canada's favourite bowling entertainment centre — and we do things a little differently.
From our signature lane-side food and drinks service to our digital scoring systems and vibrant arcade, every visit to Splitsville is more than just ten-pin bowling — it's a full entertainment experience the whole family will love.
With bowling centres across Alberta (Calgary & Edmonton), British Columbia (Richmond & Nanaimo), and Ontario (Burlington, Hamilton, Kanata, Kingston, Richmond Hill, Woodbridge, Waterloo, Guelph and more), there's a Splitsville bowling alley near you — wherever you are in Canada.
Splitsville is the only place in North America where you can bowl wearing your own shoes! Ready to roll? Book a bowling lane online and we'll have everything set up and waiting for you.
Find a Bowling Alley Near You
Bowl In Your Own Shoes
Safety first!
To keep our guests safe, we do have a few safety rules in place when you're picking your kicks:
- no open toe shoes
- no high heels
- no slip-on shoes (ie: slides or Crocs)
- shoes must be clean and dry
Roll with the seasons
We all know that Canadian weather can be quite unpredictable!
There may be days or seasons during the year where bowling shoes will be required to keep our lanes clean and safe (at no charge to you).
And, if it's raining, snowing, or you're wearing winter boots, you can always bring a pair of indoor shoes—Just like elementary school!
Recommended Shoes
We recommend wearing comfortable running shoes or casual sneakers.
If you visit us with footwear that doesn't fit the bill for a bowl-off, we'll provide you with bowling shoes at no additional cost.
And if you still love the retro vibe of the rentals, we have them here waiting for you—Those shoes are going to miss all their regular play time!
Birthday Parties & Group Bowling Events in Canada
Whether it's a team-building event of 20, or a celebration of 200, our Events Team specializes in creating a FUN and inclusive experience for everyone!
So, strike up some friendly competition or go for the giggles—Either way, it's a guaranteed good time! Contact us for more information about team building, corporate events, team or social celebrations and private events.
We have bowling and arcade party packages to take your event to the next level.
Join a Bowling League Near You — Calgary, Edmonton & Ontario
Most of our locations host a variety of bowling leagues throughout the year. During these weekly scheduled times, our centres have the lights on and the music down low.
We still have open lanes and welcome anyone to come in to play!
We don't have any active leagues during the summer months; however, when the season begins, you'll find the schedules and locations right here so you can plan your adventure ahead of time.
BOWLING TIPS
We want you to have as much fun as possible on the bowling lanes. Your safety is extremely important to us, so please supervise children at all times. Running in the centre with bowling shoes and bowling balls could cause injury.
Here are a few tips (for children and adults) to help you play safely.
- Don’t place your hand near or inside the ball return at any time. Wait until the ball has returned fully onto the rack. If a ball doesn’t return fully, please ask a member of our team to assist you.
- Please don’t touch the balls that are on the rack while you’re waiting to bowl as your fingers could get hit by balls when they return to the rack.
- Don’t step over the black line at the start of the bowling lane. This is called the foul line. Beyond this line, the bowling lanes are coated with a special oil varnish to protect them and the surface is really slippery.
- Pick up the balls carefully and hold with both hands.
- Children should use the lightweight balls marked with a 6 or 8. If a heavy ball falls on your toes, it’s going to hurt!
- Never go onto the lanes or walk between the lanes. If a bowl or bowling pin gets stuck, please ask a member of our team to assist you.
- Please keep food and drinks to the seating area. If you have a spill or notice a slippery area, please let our team know and they will be happy to clean it up quickly.
Bowling Shoes
Bowling shoes are required at Splitsville centres and are available for a small rental fee. We offer a wide range of sizes from children's Velcro fastening shoes to large big-footed adult bowling shoes (approx. size 12/13). Our shoes are specially designed to protect our floors, while also allowing you to slide smoothly on the lanes when bowling. Shoes are cleaned after each use and socks must be worn. Socks are available for purchase at the centre if you arrive in sandals.
Bowling Ball
Did you know that the number on a bowling ball refers to its weight? Splitsville has a ball for every bowler from 6lbs to 14lbs with grip sizes XXS right through to XXL (grip size refers to the size of the holes in the ball for your fingers). Your perfect ball should be comfortable to hold and not too tight on the grip, allowing your two middle fingers to be inserted down to the second joint. Please take care when picking up and putting down the balls to avoid hurting your lovely little fingers, or your back.
Scoring System
Our state-of-the-art scoring systems are fully digital and easy to use from the touch screen tablets at the lanes. New features include interactive games such as Angry Birds Bowling, Pin Pals, and Pin Pix. Our team members will be happy to show you how to active the different game modes.
This is the name given to the runway area before the start of the lane, and also describes the action you go through just before releasing the ball.
Before you start bowling you need to find your starting position. Most bowlers use a four-step approach, which means starting just over four steps away from the foul line.
Begin by stepping onto the same leg as the arm you bowl with. So, step right first if you’re right-handed and vice versa if you are left-handed.
On your first step, the ball should be pushed out in front of you at an arm's length (known as the push-away). This will help to gain momentum, which is needed, as opposed to strength.
The ball will go into a natural swing as you continue your approach. On your second step, put your opposite arm out to the side to help you balance. Your second and third steps should increase (very slightly) in length and speed.
Your final step should finish in a slide, bringing you to a controlled stop. You should arrive at (or just before) the foul line at the same time as letting go of the ball (the release).
Think of your approach as a smooth, controlled walk, swing and roll. Accuracy will always win over brute strength, but you’ll need to know how to aim properly first!
Practice your steps before taking your turn to check your distance and make sure you are happy with your technique.
The better your aim, the more pins you’ll knock down!
To start, the ball should be in line with your shoulder (rear sight) before approaching in a straight line. Then, when you release the ball, you need to aim for the third arrow on the lane from the right-hand side. Let the momentum extend your arm after the release (follow through) and finish with your thumb pointing at the pocket (the gap between the 1st and 3rd pin).
If you line up correctly, aim straight, and your ball rolls over the third arrow on the lane, then you should get yourself a very good score.
If you want to improve your aim further, then check out our advanced section.
To get a strike, you need to get the ball in the pocket between the headpin and 3rd pin to the right.
If your aim (see previous section) is accurate and you’re still missing, try adjusting your position slightly. If you’re missing to the right, move your feet more right. If you’re missing to the left, move your feet left.
You don't have to move too much to see a difference, even moving over one to three boards will do the trick. While you’re adjusting, you’ll need to make sure your front sight (third arrow) remains the same – it’s your pivot point. Remember, you can’t make these adjustments unless you’re sure your aim was accurate in the first place.
There’s another basic principle for picking up spares. Normally, you’d want to hit the pocket with your first ball to get a strike, but that doesn't always work out. If you have pins remaining, you need to apply basic principle No.2. If the pin/s are to the left of the pocket, move your feet right, keeping the same pivot point (third arrow). If the pin/s are to the right of the pocket, move your feet left. Depending on which pin is remaining will determine how much you should move:
- Pin number 2? Move 3 boards right
- Pin number 4? Move 6 boards right
- Pin number 7? Move 9 boards right
(This is known as the 3-6-9 system)
It’s more or less the same principle for the other side of the lane too, but because you’d normally hit part of the 3 pins if you were aiming for a strike, you don’t need to move your feet quite as much.
- Pin number 3? Move about 1 board to the left
- Pin number 6? Move a further 3 boards to the left
- Pin number 10? Move a further 6 boards to the left (this will be approximately 7-8 boards left of your original strike position)
It’s important to remember these two basics principles. They’re the foundations on which you build your game. There are other systems and more advanced techniques, so when you're ready to take your game to the next level, consider this:
- Get further tips from a qualified instructor (ask at your local centre)
- Join a league for a bit of healthy competition. There are leagues to suit all levels of play from novice to advanced
- Buy your own bowling ball for a better fit and improved results
FAQs
Bowling at Splitsville is priced per lane, making it excellent value for families and groups. Pricing varies by location and time of day — weekday rates are typically lower than weekends. Visit your nearest Splitsville centre page for current pricing, or book online to see real-time availability. New members who sign up to our email club receive 50% off their first bowling session.
Yes! Splitsville is the only bowling venue in North America where you can bowl wearing your own shoes. Simply ensure your shoes have closed toes, flat soles, and are clean and dry. Bowling shoe rentals are also available at all centres if you prefer, at a small additional fee. During winter months or wet weather, we may require you to bring indoor shoes to protect our lanes.
A single game of bowling typically takes 15–20 minutes per person. For a group of four playing one game each, expect around 45–60 minutes on the lane. Most groups book a lane for 1–2 hours to enjoy multiple games at a relaxed pace. We recommend booking in advance to guarantee your preferred time slot.
Absolutely — Splitsville is a fantastic activity for kids of all ages. We offer lightweight bowling balls (from 6 lbs), bumper rails for younger children, and fun interactive scoring games including Angry Birds Bowling and Pin Pals to keep little ones engaged. Our staff are always on hand to help children get set up safely on the lanes.
Yes! One of Splitsville's signature features is our lane-side food and drink service. You can order from your lane during your game, so the fun never has to stop. Our menu includes a range of delicious food and drink options — visit your local centre page to see the full menu.
Splitsville is a popular venue for birthday parties, corporate team-building events, school groups, and private celebrations. We offer tailored party packages for both kids and adults, including bowling, arcade credits, and food and drink options. Contact our events team or visit our Parties page to enquire about availability and packages.
Yes! Most Splitsville centres feature a lively arcade alongside the bowling lanes, with a wide selection of games for all ages. Arcade credits can be purchased separately or as part of one of our party packages.
We highly recommend booking your lane online in advance, especially on weekends and during school holidays when lanes fill up quickly. Booking online also lets you choose your preferred time and guarantees your lane is ready when you arrive. Walk-ins are welcome subject to availability.
Yes — most Splitsville centres host recreational bowling leagues throughout the year (excluding summer months). Leagues run weekly and are open to all skill levels, from beginners to competitive bowlers. Check your nearest centre page for current league schedules and how to sign up.
Splitsville Bowl has centres across Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton), British Columbia (Richmond and Nanaimo), and Ontario (Burlington, Hamilton, Kanata, Kingston, Guelph, Richmond Hill, Waterloo, Woodbridge, and more). Use our Location Finder to find your nearest centre and book online.
If we haven’t answered your question, please check out our main FAQ page. If you’re still unable to find the information you need, then please let us know via our contact page and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
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