American Bowling Congress

American sports organization

Also known as: ABC

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Last updated

June 18, 2026

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The American Bowling Congress (ABC) was a sports organization founded in 1895 in New York City. It was established to standardize rules and equipment for the game of tenpins, which had been growing in popularity in the United States. The ABC organized national tournaments and played a significant role in the development and promotion of bowling as a sport. The organization's standards and rules were foundational for the sport's growth, leading to the establishment of the Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC) in 1916 and the Young American Bowling Alliance (YABA) for younger bowlers.1

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bowling
Organization and tournaments
9, 1895, the American Bowling Congress (ABC) was organized in New York City. Rules and equipment standards were developed, and the game as it finally was organized remained basically unchanged as the sport grew steadily. An early technological development that helped the sport’s progress was the introduction of…
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9, 1895, the American Bowling Congress (ABC) was organized in New York City. Rules and equipment standards were developed, and the game as it finally was organized remained basically unchanged as the sport grew steadily. An early technological development that helped the sport’s progress was the introduction of…
Read More