Where to join a bowling league on Long Island

Until about two years ago, Fred Perry, 49, of Baldwin, had little interest in bowling. These days, if you’re looking for him on a weeknight, a bowling alley might be a good place to start. Perry bowls in leagues on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

He said he now owns 13 bowling balls for different lane conditions and is on his fourth pair of bowling shoes.

“This is my primary social activity,” said Perry, a father of four with a 180 average. “It’s a community. It’s a wonderful group of people.”

Bowling nationwide is going strong, with 67 million people bowling at least once a year, according to trade group the United States Bowling Congress. About 1.2 million people bowl in leagues, with more than 29,000 USBC-certified leagues in the 2024-25 season, according to the group The industry’s “Don’t go boring, GO BOWLING” ad campaign and the new HBO docuseries “Born to Bowl” may help.

The more we talk about bowling, the better,” said Joseph LaSpina, vice president of Maple Family Centers, a bowling alley chain with locations in Rockville Centre and Coram.

Still, LaSpina said league bowling is down compared to a generation ago for one key reason. “Getting people to commit to doing something repeatedly is a challenge,” he said.

Yet league bowling offers many Long Islanders a mix of competition, casual sport and pure pleasure. 

The easiest way to join a league is to go to the registration pages on your local bowling alley website, or call or visit the lanes, LaSpina said. League fees typically range from $20-$40 per player per week, depending on whether they offer prize money, he said.

Most traditional leagues have 32- to 36-week seasons, typically running through the school year. Some may offer abbreviated sessions and most require about three hours per week to bowl three games.

Offerings include both casual and competitive youth leagues, senior leagues and even “lousy” bowling leagues for those whose scores stay in the double digits.

“It’s a great place to learn,” Perry said of less competitive groups like the El Cheapo league on Thursdays, although he also bowls in a more competitive one with prize money. “You’re just there to have a good time.”