Bowling Titans Tackett and Belmonte to Meet in PBA Captains Match

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EJ Tackett, the three-time reigning PBA Player of the Year, will square off with his fiercest rival and the major title king, Jason Belmonte, at the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame in Arlington, Texas on Sunday, February 15. The match will serve as the Captains Match for the upcoming PBA USA vs. the World event on April 4, with the winner determining lineup selection order and lane choice for the finals.

Why it matters

The Captains Match between Tackett and Belmonte marks the next chapter in a storied rivalry between two of bowling's all-time greats. Their matches over the past decade have defined the PBA Tour, with Belmonte establishing himself as perhaps the best player who ever lived and Tackett asserting himself as the prime challenger seeking to end Belmonte's reign.

The details

The Captains Match will take place on the two lanes inside the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, featuring a unique human pinsetting machine from the mid-20th century. No professional match has ever been held on these lanes. The April 4 finals will feature four singles matches between the USA and The World, with each match worth one point and the team with the highest total score earning two additional points.

• The Captains Match will take place on Sunday, February 15 at 1 p.m. Eastern (noon local time).
• The PBA USA vs. the World finals will air on CBS and Paramount+ on April 4.

What’s next

The winner of the Captains Match will determine lineup selection order and lane choice for the PBA USA vs. the World finals on April 4.